Sanshiro Sugata

This version of Sugata Sanshiro is a strange creature as it's essentially a remake of both the 1943 original and 1945 sequel wrapped up into one single movie.

What makes matters even more unusual is that it's made by the same people, it is also a Toho production.

Not only is it a remake of both of these films but it is a near scene for scene replica and that's just bizzare.

Standing at around two and a half hours it is near identical to the original movies and even remains black & white. Are the cast as competent? Absolutely. But why did this even need to be a thing?

I'm against remakes at the best of times, but a scene for scene one just seems so very strange to me.

I'd advise anyone wants to see the Sugata Sanshiro storyline to watch the original two movies. Not so much because they're better, but because they are the true movies and this is just an imitator.

The Good:

Fight sequences have improved

The Bad:

Drags due to being essentially 2 movies merged

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

I will never understand the logic of scene for scene remakes