How to Tell a Story
Kurasawa spins one heck of a great yarn.
He loves to use contrasts: heat and a dry, gravelly landscapes contrast with a spring of cool, fresh water. Two bumbling, hilariously-sketched peasants contrast with the dignity of a Princess and a General.
I cannot believe how amazingly beautiful and memorable some of the scenes are! Mifune, galloping on horseback after the officials, with his arms raised, and his sword perpendicular to the saddle...his body unmoving, not a budge...and the horse beneath him is galloping, exploding in movement..racing full-tilt....the trees and bush in the background a blur, the horse's movements a blur, but Mifune is like a still shot in the midst of this speed...Kurasawa cuts and pans the scene. And, Mifune, solid, fierce, intent to kill ...that raised sword of vengeance. Wow. Blows me away.
Then, good old Minoru Chiaki, (one of the most lovable character actors in film) when he is so defeated by all the ill-fortune, sleeping on the ground, he wakes up and is crying to his buddy, "Let's be friends forever." I actually laugh out loud.
Characterization in a distilled form: When Mifune laughs as he enters the secret passage in the mountains surrounding the hidden fortress, he is such an heroic figure, he's almost frightening. When he tells of his sister's sacrifice...he is humble, and in pain, but careful not to show it. How can a guy communicate so much?
It's really quite funny when Mifune, after murdering the two horsemen rides directly into the midst of the opposing army's camp! Like...hello! But, then, the verbal exchange between Mifune and his opponent is so surprising and cool. The spear fight is my least favorite fight of all Mifune's battles. But, I love the ending of the fight, where he jumps on his horse and smiles as he leaves.
The film is an absolute pleasure to watch, and worth viewing many times, for the landscapes, variety of scene settings, humor, compassion, and for thrill of it.
Influential on American cinema? Sure, but that's not why this film is so much fun. It's Kurosawa giving us a scene "grand-as-any David Lean production" in the mass uprising of the peasants, it's the contrast of chalky white landscape with lush vegetation and a cool spring, it's the two peasants who entertain, it's Mifune at the top of his game, it's an entertaining story told brilliantly.
He loves to use contrasts: heat and a dry, gravelly landscapes contrast with a spring of cool, fresh water. Two bumbling, hilariously-sketched peasants contrast with the dignity of a Princess and a General.
I cannot believe how amazingly beautiful and memorable some of the scenes are! Mifune, galloping on horseback after the officials, with his arms raised, and his sword perpendicular to the saddle...his body unmoving, not a budge...and the horse beneath him is galloping, exploding in movement..racing full-tilt....the trees and bush in the background a blur, the horse's movements a blur, but Mifune is like a still shot in the midst of this speed...Kurasawa cuts and pans the scene. And, Mifune, solid, fierce, intent to kill ...that raised sword of vengeance. Wow. Blows me away.
Then, good old Minoru Chiaki, (one of the most lovable character actors in film) when he is so defeated by all the ill-fortune, sleeping on the ground, he wakes up and is crying to his buddy, "Let's be friends forever." I actually laugh out loud.
Characterization in a distilled form: When Mifune laughs as he enters the secret passage in the mountains surrounding the hidden fortress, he is such an heroic figure, he's almost frightening. When he tells of his sister's sacrifice...he is humble, and in pain, but careful not to show it. How can a guy communicate so much?
It's really quite funny when Mifune, after murdering the two horsemen rides directly into the midst of the opposing army's camp! Like...hello! But, then, the verbal exchange between Mifune and his opponent is so surprising and cool. The spear fight is my least favorite fight of all Mifune's battles. But, I love the ending of the fight, where he jumps on his horse and smiles as he leaves.
The film is an absolute pleasure to watch, and worth viewing many times, for the landscapes, variety of scene settings, humor, compassion, and for thrill of it.
Influential on American cinema? Sure, but that's not why this film is so much fun. It's Kurosawa giving us a scene "grand-as-any David Lean production" in the mass uprising of the peasants, it's the contrast of chalky white landscape with lush vegetation and a cool spring, it's the two peasants who entertain, it's Mifune at the top of his game, it's an entertaining story told brilliantly.
- yippeiokiyay
- Apr 2, 2006