Akira Kurosawa

Karl Hungus

As I mentioned on another thread, I'm currently trying to build a collection of Akira Kurosawa's movies. But it's really only recently I've actually seen any of his films, when I ordered Yojimbo and Throne Of Blood from play. I've since ordered Kagemusha, and Hidden Fortress (supposedly a big influence on star wars) should be arriving soon. I'd also like to order Rashomon, and Sanjuro later on, and whenever play get around to getting it in stock, The Seven Samurai.

I can honestly say that I was enthralled with the films so far, they've been utterly fantastic, and I was in awe. It's a staggering acheivement that now, 50 years on from when these films were made, they easily stand up to modern cinema, and in most cases put to shame other films. Throne Of Blood (An adaption of MacBeth, set in 16th Century Japan) was simply one of the most gripping films I've ever seen! And that ending...

When everyone was firing arrows at Washizu, it was awesome! :eek: I read that the actor Toshiro Mifune hadn't known about it prior to shooting, and Kurosawa had archers fire quite dangerously close to him. The full effect REALLY comes across on screen.

Toshiro Mifune was also a fantastic actor in both Yojimbo and Throne of Blood, and I'm really looking farward to seeing his preformance in Hidden Fortress/Rashomon/Seven Samurai when I get them. I also read that he got into acting by mistake, when he applied for a cameraman position, and they put his application in the wrong bundle. One of the best mistakes in film history, I'd imagine.

What are other members view's on Kurosawa?
Favorite films of his, or what?

Capt'n Midnight

The man is a genius.

Dreams is a nice light film, lots of little stories some weird I like the bit where the Foxes have thier wedding. WARNING - not an action movie

I'm not sure how much of his work made it into the cut for Tora, Tora, Tora.

Whatever you say about the spagetti western copies, (great music, super cool tough guys, black humour, direction style, sets, costumes ) the whole idea of giving the plot away in "last man standing" pfff.. It's actually nice watching "fistfull of dollars" and "Yojimbo" for the differences and similarities

Rashomon - simple idea, but excellent execution
Yojimbo - black and white , subtitles - ah the joys of having the time to watch it on BBC2 on a saturday afternoon.

Still can't believe I've never got arround to watching RAN

ObeyGiant

I've always found his films to be dreary, plodding affairs, with very little to keep my interest beyond their technical excellence.

But that's just me.

Rashomon is probably the one that entertains me most, and 'Dreams' is just lovely to watch.

Exit

I liked Dreams, but I tried to watch Kagemusha and got bored halfway through. Maybe I was just wasn't in the mood for watching it then.

RicardoSmith

I've seen Throne of Blood and the Seven Samurai loved them both.

Chad ghostal

hidden fortress/seven samurai are excellent imo..
rashomon a little less excellent but still very good,
i got the same after wathing seven samurai, just wanted to see more ..

Yojimbo and kagemuhsi are probably my favorites but that may only be because iv seen them a few times..

seven samurai is >insert adjective that expresses awe adequitly< good and quite rewatchable for a 3 hour film. .

nadir

I also second this Kurosawa is awesome, ever since i saw Yojimbo on channel 4 years ago ive been enthralled, I guess it and Arkira were the two films which turned me onto the japanese movie scene, and more importantly Japanese culture. Unfortunately I have only however seen Yojimbo and seven samurai by Kurosawa, I should really get around to watching more of his flicks.

Pigman II

I've found you can't go wrong with any of his older stuff Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo etc but his 'newer stuff' Ran, Dreams etc are terribly boring and lethargic to the point where you're just sitting there waiting for the film to end.

I got Ran on video once and it took me about a month to get thru it. Seemed like I was watching it about 5 minutes per sitting before I had to take a break. If it'd had been by some nobody director I'd probably just have cast it aside.

But you mentioned you haven't got Rashomon yet so that should definetly be the next thing you order.

Pigman II

I've found you can't go wrong with any of his older stuff Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo etc but his 'newer stuff' Ran, Dreams etc are terribly boring and lethargic to the point where you're just sitting there waiting for the film to end.

I got Ran on video once and it took me about a month to get thru it. Seemed like I was watching it about 5 minutes per sitting before I had to take a break. If it'd had been by some nobody director I'd probably just have cast it aside.

But you mentioned you haven't got Rashomon yet so that should definetly be the next thing you order.

Lex_Diamonds

Id have to recommend Sanjuro, great stuff all together.

Bannor

You should look out for for the Akira Kurosawa: Four Samurai Classics boxset.

It consists of the Criterion Collection DVDs of the Samurai movies - Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo and Sanjuro.

I picked it up in Canada last year for about €80. One of my mates has since got his copy from dvdboxoffice.com for Can$112.95 (approx. €68) and they do free postage worldwide.

Caesar_Bojangle

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Ikiru