06-14-2025, 08:10 AM
Written by Akira Kurosawa, this is the 2nd film ever directed by Kazuo Mori (who directed many of the Zatoichi film) and it stars much of the cast that went on to be in The Seven Samurai. It opens with a cheesy sword fight with Toshiro Mifune in theatrical makeup cutting down 3 dozen samurai but then quickly shifts to say that was the myth, here’s the real story (this is based on a historic event - the Igagoe vendetta - which is as famous as the 47 ronin tale). Mifune helps a young samurai avenge the murder of his father with two others. The intended target has hired a master spearman, and among his retainers is Mifune’s good friend (played by Takeshi Shimura). The movie starts as the foursome wait to ambush their targets and retells how they got there in flashback.
The film is great at building tension. We discover Mifune’s deep friendship with Shimura from an earlier meeting where they drink and shoot arrows, knowing that their fate will soon pit them against each other. We see Daisuke Kato playing a spy for Mifune as the foursome spend years tracking their target and preparing. We discover that none of them have been in a real sword fight before.
The payout is the fight. It foreshadows one of my all time favorite fights - the finale of Rashomon - where the swordsmen flail wildly, terror struck, and all their skills fall to the wayside. It’s brilliant choreo, what I imagine a real sword fight might've been like. Fantastic work.
Mifune & Shimura show their acting chops as they come face to face in their final fight. The dawning realization of their fate is so poignant and tragic.
I can see the nascent styles of Kato & Kurosawa throughout the film. It’s rougher, yet well crafted overall, with some scenes that both directors will echo in their later work.
D00M recommended!
The film is great at building tension. We discover Mifune’s deep friendship with Shimura from an earlier meeting where they drink and shoot arrows, knowing that their fate will soon pit them against each other. We see Daisuke Kato playing a spy for Mifune as the foursome spend years tracking their target and preparing. We discover that none of them have been in a real sword fight before.
The payout is the fight. It foreshadows one of my all time favorite fights - the finale of Rashomon - where the swordsmen flail wildly, terror struck, and all their skills fall to the wayside. It’s brilliant choreo, what I imagine a real sword fight might've been like. Fantastic work.
Mifune & Shimura show their acting chops as they come face to face in their final fight. The dawning realization of their fate is so poignant and tragic.
I can see the nascent styles of Kato & Kurosawa throughout the film. It’s rougher, yet well crafted overall, with some scenes that both directors will echo in their later work.
D00M recommended!
Shadow boxing the apocalypse