07-05-2022, 07:16 PM
Well, that was great. I don't know how this film has evaded me for so long. cf is spot on with his review. It starts out reminiscent of Yojimbo, which was 3 years earlier, but then takes off in its own unique direction to be something entirely outstanding. At the end, when they toss the hairpin at the crossroads, it's a total nod to Mifune tossing the stick at the beginning of Yojimbo, as if the director was saying 'Sure, I got the idea there, but I took you someplace else in the end.'
My initial complaint was that it was too dark, especially the fight scenes. It's B&W, mostly B. But this turned out to be somewhat of a cinematic device as the scenes slowing emerge in brightness until the finale fights, which are in broad daylight showcasing the clever choreo.
I translated the original title from Japanese and it was Three Outlaws. The 'samurai' was tossed in - and technically two were ronin, and the third becomes ronin, but they exemplify bushido in the end.
A great classic chanbara.
Totally D00M recommended.
My initial complaint was that it was too dark, especially the fight scenes. It's B&W, mostly B. But this turned out to be somewhat of a cinematic device as the scenes slowing emerge in brightness until the finale fights, which are in broad daylight showcasing the clever choreo.
I translated the original title from Japanese and it was Three Outlaws. The 'samurai' was tossed in - and technically two were ronin, and the third becomes ronin, but they exemplify bushido in the end.
A great classic chanbara.
Totally D00M recommended.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse