MovieChat Forums > Akahige (1968) Discussion > Just watched for the first time...

Just watched for the first time...

posted 17 years ago by O_L_D_B_O_Y
9 replies | jump to latest

And I'd consider it one of the best Kurosawa films I've seen.

I thought it was gonna be slow-going, and it was at times, but the story went so many interesting places and it had some real classic Kurosawa scenes, which I'd like to list (as personal favourites)...

+ The Mantis preying on Yasumoto. Kurosawa manages to bring out some fantastic "looks" from his female characters - just a little something I noticed. When she advanced on him, vein throbbing in her head, it reminded me of Lady Asaji in THRONE OF BLOOD, or Lady Kaede in RAN.

+ Sahachi's tale of his wife. One word came to mind while watching this scene: EPIC. The flashback-within-a-flashback of his wife wandering through the wreckage of her village gave me chills. And did I see some actual colour during that sequence? When Sahachi asks her about the baby, the big wall they're standing beside had shades of purple.

+ THE action scene! Man, that was cool. Brilliant sound effects and a nice sense of humour (as to be expected from Kurosawa).

+ CHOOOOBOOOOOOOO!! Yet again, classic Kurosawa. That shot from inside the well was incredible.

[–] ancientnut 17 years ago

I just watched it for the first time yesterday and I agree with you, OLDBOY, it is now one of my favorite Kurosawa films...an absolutely incredible movie and one I can't wait to watch again.

Kurosawa did have a penchant for dominant, cruel women as in the films you mention. When the Mantis was seducing Yasumoto with dagger in hand, I couldn't help think of the scene in Ran where Lady Asaji slashes her prey's neck twice, then later LICKS THE BLOOD OFF! A real Japanese vampire!

[–] fearnotofman 17 years ago

That shot inside the well really was incredible. Another incredible shot is when Otoyo sits up in bed, when she first gets to the hospital. Her face is in the dark, but a ray of light casts a strip of brightness across her eyes. Beautiful.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] avix_007 17 years ago

noone captures rain quite like Kurosawa

I agree. No one captures swirling dust like him, too; not even Leone.

[–] Trouter2000 17 years ago

I just finished it last night, my 13th (maybe 14th) Kurosawa, and from what I've seen its one of his best. His humanism is deeply enthralling, never becoming overtly sentimental, yet always allowing itself the ability to move the viewer. The character development was really quite something, Yasumoto's journey from selfishness to compassion is personal and never comes of as forced.

I'm just in total admiration of the film right now, considering all the dark and depressing art films out there, it feels so good to see a film that is life affirming and beautiful. Its not tacky and it doesn't feel fake, but neither does it let the dark sadness of the plot rule out the great beauty. Red Beard, like Ikiru and Dreams is simply one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Its films like these that effect people in the real world.

Last film seen: Red Beard 9/10

[–] Big G-2 16 years ago

Vastly underrated Kurosawa film. It is funny that though Toshiro Mifune plays the title character, and he is absolutely dominate in every scene, I didn't see him as the lead character. Everything was revolving more-or-less through the eyes of the young Dr. Yasumoto. This is basically his story.

Sahachi's tale of his wife. One word came to mind while watching this scene: EPIC. The flashback-within-a-flashback of his wife wandering through the wreckage of her village gave me chills.

The flashback within the flashback reminded me a lot of RASHOMON! Heck, I thought there were little hints from previous Kurosawa movies. The relationship between Red Beard and Dr. Yasumoto, reminded me of the similar one between Kambei and Katsushiro in SEVEN SAMURAI. The old master and his young apprentice learning things quite fast and often difficult. And of course the scene where Red Beard dares the bodyguards at the Geisha house to pick a fight with him and goes and beats the hell out them! (reminiscent of YOJIMBO).

[–] mothboy88 16 years ago

"The relationship between Red Beard and Dr. Yasumoto, reminded me of the similar one between Kambei and Katsushiro in SEVEN SAMURAI."

Every time Mifune stroked his beard, it kept reminding me of something. Now after reading your post I remember it was Kambei rubbing his head.

That and Sanjuro scratching himself : )

[–] dave_wlogan 14 years ago

I felt a really strong emotional connection with this movie.

Sahachi's tale had the beautiful moment where both he and his beloved kept turning to go to each other but couldn't manage it. Then her death was just crushing. In a sense it was the perfect double flashback.

The child actors break your heart that I was on the verge of tears but smiling cause I've never really scene something so moving. When the girl runs to the well I couldn't believe the elegance and emotion in this one scene.

So many scenes with so much poignancy and the meaning of the scene is felt but hard to articualte without sounding pretentious. It truly is a classic film.

"You're going to cross Sinai?"
"Moses did"

[–] johnnyz-2 13 years ago

I just watched it for the first time tonight. It is now my favorite Kurosawa film. I'm sorry it was the end of Kurosawa's and Mifune's working relationship, but I'm glad they left us with a masterpiece.

Somebody above mentioned they thought the movie slow at times. I didn't find that at all. I was sucked in from the opening music and next thing I know it's the intermission.