Samurai Marathon: Ran

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Ran (Akira Kurosawa, 1985)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Epic, Action, Shakespeare

I was thoroughly mesmerized at this brilliant, tragic, and beautiful adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear. Kurosawa's masterpiece, many claim. I mostly agree--though some of his earlier films have more subtle, thought-provoking artistry. Ran, in contrast, is full of vibrant color, chaos, and silent drama. I felt that the tragedy of King Lear works even better in a samurai setting, with selfish brothers vying for power. There is so much tension. Kurosawa is able to build so much emotional anxiety in his pacing and emphasis on Hidetora's rapid downfall and insanity.  

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Samurai Marathon: Throne of Blood

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Throne of Blood (Akira Kurosawa, 1957)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Samurai, Epic, Action, Shakespeare

A fascinating version of Shakespeare's Macbeth. I was drawn to the marvelous and creepy performances--especially that of Isuzu Yamada as Lady Washizu. The Noh inspired performances and the tragic story blend together in a way that is hard to describe. So much tension and quiet juxtaposed with chaos. A really beautiful film.

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Samurai Marathon: Kill!

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Kill! (Kihachi Okamoto, 1968)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Samurai, Action, Adventure

Kill! is essentially another version of Sanjuro--both films borrowing from the short story 17 Days at Fort Mountain. The plot gets a bit confusing here and there, but the characters are so memorable that they help you along. You just have to love the determination and grit of Genta and the goofiness and simplicity of Hanji.

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Samurai Marathon: Zatoichi

Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano, 2003)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Comedy, Action

A fun film--a departure from the very serious samurai films we'd been watching. Zatoichi pays tribute to samurai films, but also lightens the mood with silly and even outrageous moments. There is extreme blood and gore, but also music and dance and great gags. Pure escape.

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Samurai Marathon: Samurai Rebellion

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Samurai Rebellion (Masaki Kobayashi, 1967)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Action, Drama, Complex Relationships

I was not expecting to be so thoroughly engrossed in this film, but I really was. Kobayashi is a brilliant storyteller and knows exactly how to create tension. And there is so much of it! A timeless (unfortunately) of what happens when power goes unchecked. We all need to watch this film and remember its message.

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Samurai Marathon: Sword of Doom

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Sword of Doom (Kihachi Okamoto, 1966)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Action, Drama, Psychological

Okamoto takes us on a ride in Sword of Doom. This is the story of a man utterly obsessed with mastering his swordsmanship that it costs him his mind, is intense. This film has some of the most eerie and visually stunning sequences and scenes in cinema.

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Samurai Marathon: Seven Samurai

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Action, Adventure

I had seen many versions of this epic story, perhaps most notably the Magnificent Seven and a very fun episode of the Mandalorian series. Nothing compares to this original, though. All the performances are stirring and memorable, the cinematography is breathtaking, the music is powerful. It is inspiring and bittersweet filmmaking.

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Samurai Marathon: Hidden Fortress, revisited

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

The Hidden Fortress (Akira Kurosawa, 1958)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Action, Adventure

Hidden Fortress is the inspiration for Star Wars and each time I watch it I enjoy it more. That's actually saying a lot for an action/adventure film--for me, many action films lose some of their appeal on repeat viewings. This one is tense, hilarious, beautiful, and sad. The story is timeless.

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Samurai Marathon: Yojimo and Sanjuro, revisited

On our recent trip to Toronto and Algonquin park we read about a Kurosawa marathon happening in major cities in the US. Lamenting that we wouldn't be able to see these stunning, classic films on the big screen we decided to do the next best thing: have our own "Samurai Marathon" in the comfort of our own home. It wouldn't be quite the same, but still a lot of fun.

Yojimo (Akira Kurosawa, 1961)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

Samurai, Drama, Action

Yojimo stands out, for me. And not just as a samurai story, but as a drama. It is loosely based on Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett. It has been remade many times, most notably (and notoriously) as Fistful of Dollars. We all likely have encountered the theme and plot, perhaps without even knowing it. I think this is because the story is so succinct and tells such a valuable lesson of the evils and consequences of corruption. Brilliant film.

Sanjuro (Akira Kurosawa, 1962)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Samurai, Drama, Action

I really enjoy Sanjuro, but for very different reasons from Yojimbo. While it is a sequel, these two stories don't feel that connected. I like this tale because it focuses on the consequences of immaturity and rash decisions and exposes that what a samurai means and what he is are two different concepts. It is also very funny.

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