Yup, I thought it was better than Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood, and the Last Samurai. I loved it particularly because it is unique in the genre in that the film doesn't focus on action/battle sequences at all. Actually the two action scenes in the film are well done.
shareI agree with this. Particularly because I'm more a fan of the whole bushido spirit thing than the whole chambara in a samurai film. I felt the acting in Tasogare is also more natural.
shareI think The Hidden Blade is slightly better. The two films are very similar in plot and setting as well as theme, but I find the ending of The Hidden Blade far more satisfying.
Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...
I agree. It's the best samurai film I've ever seen mainly because its so honest. The protagonist is such an interesting character and played perfectly by Sanada Hiroyuki. It's one of my favourite movies of all time.
"People scare better when they're dying"
Frank , OATITW
I love it. Hiroyuki Sanada is a magnificent actor. I was glued to this movie the whole time it was on. Really a beautiful film.
"The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor."
- Voltaire
I just finally saw it and loved it, but I think I preferred Hidden Blade just ever so slightly more. I also was less than impressed with the epilogue - I found it largely unnecessary.
shareya'll need to watch Hara Kiri
shareAll of them, all three of Yamada's Poor Samurai trilogy, and certainly the Kobayashi opus as well. And this one - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464038/ , Hana Yori mo Naho, an absolute delight and much neglected.
shareSeen and liked all of the trilogy stories (Twilight Samurai took me the longest to find), so now I must look for Hana. I have not seen it acclaimed like these others. Thanks in advance for the recommendation!
shareI should warn you, however, it's rather different. No heroics.
shareSo much the better! Actually, I do like "proper" samurai movies with fighting scenes, and thoughtful films about people in the samurai era, no blood required. Just checked, and my university library does not have Hana, and the public library with the best foreign film collection I know about doesn't either. I doubt the local rental places have it, so I will likely buy a copy. I forgot to mention that it has several actors I like, so I must watch this one!
shareYou sound like my soul-mate, Pandora! We like all the same stuff.
Have you seen Chushingura? If possible you should watch that before Hana.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055850/
Believe I saw the early '60s film some time ago; no idea how many years! I first became interested in the mid-1970s when PBS ran a Japanese film series on tv, and picked up my "studies" again just a few years ago.
However, I'd like to re-watch Chushingura now that I know more about Japanese film and real history. The long 1941 Mizoguchi movie is all that's available where I live. Another DVD I may have to purchase....
Oh well, if you've seen the Mizoguchi one and you know the story, you'll be fine with Hana. Enjoy
shareI disagree, I think the ff are better:
Throne of Blood
Sanjuro
47 Samurai
Samurai Rebellion
Sword of Doom
Samurai Trilogy
Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy
Harakiri
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
Hey Vicky, you mention Rurouni Kenshin, do you mean the recent live-action versions? I haven't been able to get hold of those, are they good? Not too keen on the anime, as the protagonists seem to be little more than children, which is a bit creepy.
shareYes, I meant the recent Rurouni Kenshin Live Action films. IMO, they're very good, I find them better than the anime versions which were also based off manggas, but the anime fans may disagree with me. Well, the protagonists are all adults but I know what you mean. It's hard to relate or find Samurai film actors believable when majority look like prepubescent 100lb eyebrow shaving and lip gloss wearing boys. You can imagine that if they stood against Nakadai or Mifune, that they'd melt away just by the intensity or just mere presence of the older actors. LOL!
But the trilogy was based off manggas/anime that has a specific look which is understandable and I don't know if the shift in Japanese actors preference is due to animes/manggas trying to appeal to a younger audience. Also, the villains in the Rurouni Kenshin are really quite out of this world so I liken it more to Lord of the Rings than the Yoji trilogy or even the earlier more gothic type of Samurai films. It is a fantasy series, probably more similar to those HK type martial art films with mythological characters. The action/fight scenes are quite good and you could see that the actors trained extensively for it.
PS. I found the 2nd & third films to be better than the first. And has a very good musical score influenced by Arabic music.
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
lol Rurouni Kenshin.
share