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As some of you may have noticed, I've recently been obsessed with expanding my experience with classic samurai cinema – mostly the works of the 50's and 60's. The Golden Age. I've been a long time Kurosawa fan, but I haven't looked too far beyond that boundary until now. He's still the undisputed master of jidaigeki cinema, but there are some other outstanding works in the field. Like American Westerns or War films, the genre is often just a setting or premise for a story with another social message.

I figured I'd share the results of my self-inflicted film fest by doing mini-reviews of my resulting top seven – one review each day for the next seven days. Not into samurai cinema? You sure?? You know that Star Wars has its roots in the genre, yes? And back when I was creating work for Traveller's "Rebellion Period", I looked to the Japanese 15th century's age of war (the Sengoku Period) for story telling templates. It's a rich genre with humans set in a somewhat alien (for Western viewers) culture, but with familiar currents of basic humanity flowing beneath.

One of the best summary reference sites I've found for the genre is Lard Biscuit's "Jidai-Geki Knights" site: [link]  It's worth looking through if you're looking for either a novice's primer guide or if you're already familiar with the genre but looking to expand your scope.

So stay tuned tomorrow for the beginning of "The Seven Summaries"…..

  • Listening to: SOMA-FM
  • Reading: "Integral Trees" by Niven
  • Watching: STILL more samurai films
  • Playing: Too little
  • Eating: Well
  • Drinking: Less

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November 26, 2012
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:iconhcollazo2000:
I know your thing is the classics, but I recently watched "13 Assassins" (which was made in 2010, I believe), and let me tell you, it is a really good movie. Lots of action with a western style direction and a well conceived plot that rivals the best that Kurosawa ever did. Take a look at it on Netflix when you have a chance. You won't be disappointed. :dance:
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:iconarcas-art:
*Arcas-Art Nov 27, 2012  Professional General Artist
Y'know, in a way it's the film that kicked off my latest research... though almost by coincidence. I watched that film about a week before I consciously started my binge. I think a lot of the more contemporary jidaigeki have Western sensibilities in plot, character, and direction. But "13 Assassins" didn't leave much of a mark for me. It seemed somehow... I dunno... "muddled"? Lots of action, but somehow unfocused. The defense of the town was a bit reminiscent of the climax of The Seven Samurai, which was a neat echo.

I have "Hana: Tale of a Reluctant Samurai" in my queue next. I think that was 2003. Of the recent genre entries, I'd say my fave to date is "The Hidden Blade". Again, very Western in most respects, but some great period texture.
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:iconhcollazo2000:
I'll have to make note of these titles. Sorry you didn't like 13 Assassins, but what you say about the Seven Samurai does make sense. Japanese film makers often use ideas from other projects in new films, which hinders our ( western audience) appreciation of their work sometimes. Thanks for replying, and have a great one. :dance:
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:icontommerch:
~tommerch Nov 26, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
Thanks to that link, I'm pretty sure I've got the series of "samurai" flicks I was telling you about! Look up "Hanzo The Razor"!

Thos. Merchant
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:iconarcas-art:
*Arcas-Art Nov 26, 2012  Professional General Artist
Kewl! Will research!
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:iconloraxxx:
*loraxxx Nov 26, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Seven summmaries!!--classic!!

There better be at least one Zatoichi flic in there..!
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:iconarcas-art:
*Arcas-Art Nov 26, 2012  Professional General Artist
Um. Well. Er....
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:iconloraxxx:
*loraxxx Nov 26, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
hrrrmm..!
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:iconarcas-art:
*Arcas-Art Nov 26, 2012  Professional General Artist
:lol:

I've seen two Zatoichi. I like them.... but I'm just not sure they make the cut to my top seven. What are your fave Zatoichis?
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:iconloraxxx:
*loraxxx Nov 26, 2012  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Probably ZATOICHI ON THE ROAD, one of the first I ever saw...
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