(no subject)
Samurai I: Miyamoto Musashi
Inagaki Hiroshi
1954
I am not a fan of Hollywood 1950's style epics for the most part. Something about the style doesn't sit well with me, and I tend to find the characters and plots contrived and uninteresting. Much Japanese cinema from this time period that remains popular today is a far cry from Hollywood films, but unfortunately for me Inagaki Hiroshi's Samurai I is the exception rather than the rule. From the opening credits, the film feels like a high quality Hollywood production -- and in many ways I couldn't get past that. That said, I feel that this film can likely go toe-to-toe with most anything Hollywood has to offer from that time period, so if you are a fan of old epics, you might like Samurai I. Mifune Toshiro's and Onoe Kuroemon's performances were highlights.
Inagaki Hiroshi
1954
I am not a fan of Hollywood 1950's style epics for the most part. Something about the style doesn't sit well with me, and I tend to find the characters and plots contrived and uninteresting. Much Japanese cinema from this time period that remains popular today is a far cry from Hollywood films, but unfortunately for me Inagaki Hiroshi's Samurai I is the exception rather than the rule. From the opening credits, the film feels like a high quality Hollywood production -- and in many ways I couldn't get past that. That said, I feel that this film can likely go toe-to-toe with most anything Hollywood has to offer from that time period, so if you are a fan of old epics, you might like Samurai I. Mifune Toshiro's and Onoe Kuroemon's performances were highlights.