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| The Nelson Arms Family Pub An informal non-academic forum for the Sword Forum Family for rest and relaxation after a hard day's work. Renamed in honor after our friend and moderator Don Nelson who departed us on June 6, 2004 |
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Recommended Samurai movies -
10-11-2007, 08:31 PM
Hello all,
I recently got a Netflix account and went to town on renting Samurai flicks. Is there any good movies that might be relatively unknown that anyone can recommend?
NOTE! We've all seen Seven Samurai, Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo, and Sanjuro. Those are beginners stuff, noob Samurai films. And no, Sword of Doom isn't insider enough either. that's like poser insider... I'm talikng about movies like "Hara Kiri", "Chushingura", and "Sword of the Beast", relatively unknown flicks.
Oh, and NO SONNY CHIBA! Unless he made a good movie that is the polar opposite in everything I hated about Kill Bill!, I will poke you with a stick until you perish if you suggest one of his movies. AND NO ANIME!
My name is my badge of honor. A badge that never tarnishes. And shoots laser beams.
Justice Armory
Last edited by Aaron Justice; 10-11-2007 at 08:36 PM..
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10-11-2007, 09:25 PM
try "Taboo" japanese title of "Gohatto" I believe...
a little strange as it deals with homosexuality around the Meji Restoration (which in Japan was pretty accepted) but the sword scenes are schweeet!!
Best,
Brian James
edit- Oh forgot to add Heaven and Earth... great battle scenes and in color too!
Everyones got a plan... till you smash 'em in the face
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10-11-2007, 10:10 PM
-Mercy to the wolf is cruelty to the sheep.
-Those who turn their swords into plowshares often end up plowing the fields of those who did not.
http://thepanday.blogspot.com/
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Friendly Forumite
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10-11-2007, 11:50 PM
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Forum Family
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10-12-2007, 12:30 AM
Originally Posted by Shany G.
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I just selected it today, thanks for the suggestion.
I have Ran already, I would like to see some more 1600's era movies.
My name is my badge of honor. A badge that never tarnishes. And shoots laser beams.
Justice Armory
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10-12-2007, 12:31 AM
Originally Posted by Brian James
try "Taboo" japanese title of "Gohatto" I believe...
a little strange as it deals with homosexuality around the Meji Restoration (which in Japan was pretty accepted) but the sword scenes are schweeet!!
Best,
Brian James
edit- Oh forgot to add Heaven and Earth... great battle scenes and in color too!
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I recently saw Heaven and Earth. I have it DVR'd, I'll have to make a transfer of it soon.
My name is my badge of honor. A badge that never tarnishes. And shoots laser beams.
Justice Armory
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Settled in Comfortably
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10-12-2007, 01:59 AM
Possibly Tasogare Seibei or Mibu gishi den? I liked both but Mibu gishi den is a little bit too much drama in the end imho.
Oh, those are kind a new of course. And not that much action and fighting.
with kind regards,
Phil Abele
Last edited by Phil Abele; 10-12-2007 at 02:00 AM..
Reason: Forgot something.
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10-12-2007, 03:06 AM
"Samurai fiction" is a must see, you have a good laugh and more profound stuff inside. Then you would have "Ame agaru", not a war movie but definitely a beautiful story, the last script of Kurosawa. "Twilight samurai" is another good title that comes to mind.
I imagine you saw the Myamoto Musashi trilogy, starring Toshiro Mifune? If not, it's worth a look, though it's definitely 3 classes under the book. You also have the "Shogun" miniseries, with Richard Chamberlain.
Edit: yepp, isn't Tasogare Seibei the original name of "twilight samurai"?...
Against ignorance, gods themselves struggle in vain.
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Settled in Comfortably
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Posts: 12
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southwest Germany
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10-12-2007, 03:16 AM
Originally Posted by Bogdan M.
Edit: yepp, isn't Tasogare Seibei the original name of "twilight samurai"?...
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It is. "Mibu gishi den" was named "When the last sword is drawn".
with kind regards,
Phil Abele
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10-12-2007, 05:05 AM
Chushingura 1/47, starring Takuya Kimura, was a long (2 hrs 40 min) TV movie broadcast by Fuji TV. It's a nicely balanced mix of historical accuracy and dramatic license. Very human characters. Of course, it's only available in Japanese, but you asked for obsure...
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10-12-2007, 07:18 AM
Zatoichi - great series
You can "google" netflix for japanese films and check out the search.
Others to look at are:
Sanshiro Sugata
Stray Dog
Rashomon
Ikiru
Throne of Blood
Lower Depths
Hidden Fortress
Bad Sleep Well
Yojimbo
Sanjuro
High and Low
Red Berard
Dersu Uzala
Kagemusha
Ran
Dreams
Rhapsody in August
47 Ronin
Drunken Angel
Bad Sleep Well
and of course, Shogun
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Films -
10-12-2007, 07:31 AM
I would also suggest Toshiro Mifune in "Musashi". I haven't seen them, but it was recommended that the "Lone Wolf and Cub" movies also known as the "babycart series" were pretty good.
"Try not! DO or do not. There is no 'try'."
"Knowledge and Wisdom must travel to the front of the head, causing it to bow in reverence and contemplation. It should never go to the back of the head, causing the nose to be turned up."
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...the list is long and winding. -
10-12-2007, 10:15 PM
Hey Aaron,
Have you seen Fall of Ako Castle? It's a great version of the 47 Ronin. How about Shogun's Shadow? While it does include Sonny Chiba, it's a super flick. I agree with the previous reply about all of the Lone Wolf and Cub (Baby Cart) pictures. There are quite a few worthwhile samurai movies out there. Try wathcing Tange Tenzen and Horibe Yasubei, Kojiro Sasaki, Hidden blade, Samurai Assassination, Samurai Rebellion, all of the Zatoichi movies and TV episodes... the list is long and winding. 
Check out a book called The Samurai Film. I lent it to a friend, so I can't give you any specifics on the publisher. I Google searched it: http://www.midnighteye.com/books/sam...e-wolves.shtml a good reference book. You can get a grand scope of the entire genre by reading it.
Ciao, Jon
A wise person aspires to study swordsmanship. A lucky person finds a worthy teacher. A fool cannot tell the difference.
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I just found this... -
10-12-2007, 10:20 PM
This looks like an interesting website.  http://www.midnighteye.com/features/...nema_101.shtml I just found this looking for info on the book.
Later, Jon
A wise person aspires to study swordsmanship. A lucky person finds a worthy teacher. A fool cannot tell the difference.
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10-13-2007, 09:49 AM
I would second 'Ran' and also Kagemusha as good Sengoku Jidai flicks.
'Twilight Samurai' has been mentioned and I think that's one of the best films I've seen in a long time.
I'm not sure if Zatoichi is genius or just absurd but it's certainly a great watch.
Azumi anyone? It's absurdly stylised - but in the way we all secretly love - and the costuming is nicely done. And Aya Ueto with a No-Dachi is something new ;-)
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10-13-2007, 03:27 PM
Here's my Netflix queue right now.
The Hidden Blade
Samurai Fiction
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
When the Last Sword Is Drawn
Zatoichi: The Festival of Fire
Sansho the Bailiff
Chushingura
Red Lion
Samurai Rebellion
Ugetsu
Samurai Spy
Samurai Banners
Lone Wolf and Cub 2
Red Beard
Kagemusha
Shogun Assassin
Incident at Blood Pass
Samurai Trilogy 1: Musashi Miyamoto
Samurai Trilogy 2: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Samurai Trilogy 3: Duel at Ganryu Island
My name is my badge of honor. A badge that never tarnishes. And shoots laser beams.
Justice Armory
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10-13-2007, 04:37 PM
Lady Snowblood
"NHK's Shinsengumi!" even tho it might be very hard to find the series outside Japan
After the rain (Ame Agaru)
Bartender and Brewmeister for the Pub
麻の中の蓬 - if even the most crooked person is surrounded by good people, he will straighten up as does mugwort growing in a hemp field
おまえはすでに死んでいる... - 北斗の拳
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...Shinsengumi was awesome! -
10-13-2007, 07:06 PM
Originally Posted by Michael P
Lady Snowblood
"NHK's Shinsengumi!" even tho it might be very hard to find the series outside Japan
After the rain (Ame Agaru)
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Like all of the NHK Taiga dramas, Shinsengumi was awesome! Primarily, one could subscribe to TV Japan via Comcast cable or satellite via Dish Network. They feature mostly modern Japanese TV crap. You think American TV is stupid? However, every Saturday night there is a wonderful 45 minute historical samurai drama with English subtitles. Also, they feature a non-subtitled Friday night samurai drama. And Grand Sumo tournaments? Don't get me started about Sumo! And the World Kendo Championships, All Japan Kendo Championships and various interesting programming? Other than shelling-out $25.00 a month for the TV Japan programming, you can buy the Taiga dramas in 3 episode discs from Despa at: http://www.quixium.com/fan/drama_dvdrlist.htm
My recommendations are Musashi, Yoshitsune and Shinsengumi. Of course, as action flicks go, these 48-49 episode historical dramas are somewhat drawn-out. If you want sword fighting, this site also offers copies of Japanese and Korean movies. As a fan of both Japanese and Korean historical TV dramas, I would recommend The Emperor of the Sea and The Immortal Yi Soon Shin. Both wonderful Korean action dramas subtitled in English. It's all good stuff! (No, I don't work for them.) My life has been extremely enriched by viewing the fine programs. Every 21st century swords-person's gotta dream...
Ciao, Jon
A wise person aspires to study swordsmanship. A lucky person finds a worthy teacher. A fool cannot tell the difference.
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