The Hidden Blade (2004)

A very slow moving movie. If you want a typical hack and slash samurai movie, this one is not it.





I do not know why the title of the movie poster says, "The Hidden Blade" and below it the Chinese/Japanese character for "love". I think "honour" would be a better choice.

Anyway, this is definitely not my kind of movie. Story line is predictable and boring! Had to fast-forward certain scenes... but acting is good though.



More information:

• Wikipedia
• Internet Movie Database (IMDB)

Hideo Gosha's Hitokiri

Hitokiri is a disturbing (at least to me) movie released in 1968 by Hideo Gosha. It was subsequently released in 1970 as Tenchu (Heaven's Punishment) in the US.


Takechi Hanpei lead the Tosa Samurais against the Shogunate.

Some of the main characters of the movie, Tanaka Shinbei and Okada Izō, were based on actual Japanese historic figures, with the latter being the main protagonist.

Hitori literally means "assassins or killer" in English and these characters were based on the exploit of the famous Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu.

In the movie, the main character, Okada Izō, is potrayed as a faithful dog that does the bidding of the master until he realised that the master has turned against him.


The first ever rebellious words uttered by Okada Izō against his master, Takechi Hanpei .

The movie invoked pity for the central character when it was revealed that he seek to win the heart of an aristocrat woman by killing as many people as possible for the "Tosa cause", thus his blinding loyalty to Takechi Hanpei.


Okada Izō gets his redemption and revenge.

In the beginning, it took me a while to get use to the way this movie was presented. As the story unfolded, one start to understand the madness. Understanding a little bit of the Japanese history does help to put things in perspective. All in all, it was an enjoyable movie... :-)

More Information:

• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200710/
• NY Times Review (Login required)
• Hideo Gosha
  

Discovering Akira Kurosawa

It took me 41 years of my life before I discover Akira Kurosawa. That was 5 years ago when I first saw the Seven Samurai.

Much has been said about the genius of Akira Kurosawa as a writer, editor, director and story teller. I have totally nothing to add, except to say that I really enjoy and admire his work.


The Seven Samurai poster.

Only recently, after watching Samurai Wolf (Kiba okaminosuke), did I renew my interest in Japanese Samurai movies. I managed to get my hands on Yojimbo (The Bodyguard), Sanjuro and Rashomon.


Yojimbo (The Bodyguard) poster.


Sanjuro poster.


Rashomon poster.

All these three movies were beautifully crafted and presented. They were way ahead of their time. I am still looking for the rest of Akira Kurosawa's repertoire of movies! And I intend to savor and slowly digest each and everyone of them when I get them.

Samurai Wolf (Kiba okaminosuke) 1 & 2

Only just recently, about 3 months ago, did I start renewing my interest in Japanese Anime, and that was when I recently discovered and viewed a Japanese movie and it's sequel in succession.

The movies were Samurai Wolf (Kiba okaminosuke) 1 & 2 directed by Hideo Gosha, and they just completely blew me away. I could not get enough of them!!! The Furious Wolf was just so charismatic! Dare I compare him to my all time favourite movie character, Han Solo? Yes I would and they would be on equal footing!

The last time I saw a Japanese black and white movie was the Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa and that was 5 years ago.

The director of Samurai Wolf, is a contemporary of Akira Kurosawa. I am definitely not a scholar of movie history, but I think their movies probably catered to the trends of their times, solo samurai antiheroes. And if you are a fan of Samurai movies, YOU HAVE JUST GOT TO SEE THESE TWO MOVIES!


Samurai Wolf (Kiba okaminosuke) 1 poster.


Samurai Wolf (Kiba okaminosuke) 2 poster.

Scenes from the first Samurai Wolf


Kiba arrived at the village.


Lady Chise trying to convince Kiba, The Furious Wolf, to help protect her relay station and it's routes.

Scenes from the sequel.










The above fight sequences were beautifully choreographed.


In another scene, Kiba The Furious Wolf, adopting a defensive stance.

After researching on the Internet, I found very little information about Hideo Gosha. But I did find out that he directed a number of very successful ones. I have to go get them... :-)

Here are some information on Hideo Gosha:

• A Director's Cuts: The Samurai Savvy Of Hideo Gosha
• New York Times - Movies
• SamuraiDVD.com
  

Lone Wolf and Cub TV Series

I managed to get my hands of Episode 1 to 11 of the 1970s Japanese TV series, Lone Wolf and Cub. Originally published as a manga, it has been made into various movies and TV series in Japan. The manga was wonderfully drawn and the memorable characters exquisite.


Ogami Ittō and his son, Ogami Daigoro, in the manga.


Ogami Ittō and his son, Ogami Daigoro in Episode 7, The Guns of Sakai.


Ogami Ittō and his son, Ogami Daigoro in Episode 7, The Guns of Sakai.


Ogami Ittō injured in Episode 8, The Castle Wall Attack.


Ogami Ittō saving the woman from being killed for eavesdropping in Episode 10, Baby Cart on the River Styx.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 11 episodes. There are more than 70 episodes for this particular production. Unfortunately, I do not think I will be able to get my hands on the rest of them.