Samurai Film Recommendation Thread
Since most of us here are fascinated by Japanese history, and we've already got a book recommendation thread in the Research Forum, why not get a film recommendation thread started here? Let's discuss and recommend to each other our favorite films.
And no limitations based on era!
If you'll forgive my impudence, I'll start out with a list of my own. Many (if not all) of these films can be found on netflix, and viewed streaming. I've included amazon.com links with each one for anyone who wants to know more about a specific film.
Redbeard
A Kurosawa film starring Mifune Toshiro... and easily my single favorite film of all time. It's about a doctor during the sengoku period, and while the story is fairly archetypal, the execution--the acting, scene composition, cinematography, everything--is utterly immaculate. (Tokugawa era)
Throne of Blood
Another incredible Kurosawa film, this one is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Also starring Mifune Toshiro, its more of an action movie, but it's very exciting and fun to watch. (Sengoku era)
The Hidden Fortress
Kurosawa, again. This is the film George Lucas cites as inspiration for Star Wars. It's... fantastic. It's about the princess of a clan that has been destroyed in war, trying to reach the domain of one of her father's old allies, told from the perspective of two peasants who blunder into the whole thing. It's... timeless. Really. (Sengoku era).
(I won't recommend any other Kurosawa movies, as those three are the "best" ones in my opinion, but Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro and Ran are also fantastic and worth mentioning).
Ugetsu
Ugetsu is the tale of two peasants who try leave their village for the "city." One wants to sell his pottery to make a lot of money, the other to join the army of a feudal lord. What else can I say? It's a timeless classic. (Sengoku era)
Sen no Rikyu
Sen no Rikyu is a slow, plodding movie that may not appeal to most of you, but if you've got the patience for it, you'll find a lot to appreciate. It's the story of an old Tea Master serving Hideyoshi Toyotomi toward the end of his life. The characterization of Hideyoshi is... something not to be missed. (Sengoku era)
The Samurai Trilogy
A series of three low-budget films starring Mifune Toshiro as Miyamoto Musashi. This is an adaptation of Yoshikawa Eiji's novel, which is been mentioned in a number of threads here. (Tokugawa era)
Twilight Samurai
Easily the best modern samurai film I've ever seen. It's about a poor, single-father of a samurai, trying to support his daughters in the final days of the Tokugawa Bakufu. A very touching, elegant, melancholy tale. (Meiji era)
I'll leave it at that for now. My three top recommendations would be Redbeard, Ugetsu and Twilight Samurai.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Mwulf
Good timing 
