Watched:
Lately been watching a bunch of movies, will start with this one …
Bushido (aka Shundo) (2013)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLJkVtbHW4
There was some hype on this film… a Japanese indie film that focused on the spirit of Bushido (Japanese warrior code). It was an authentic period film filled with tension and sword fights. Shot on historical locations, this film was hyped as the pinnacle of Japanese independent films. Bushido was written and directed by Yasuo Mikami. The crew that worked on this film, both in front of the camera as well as behind the camera were all experienced in making period films.
I didn’t know the director or any of the actors. I liked the actor that played the swordsmaster Daihachiro Harada, Takehiro Hira. He had a commanding screen presence reminiscent of Toshirô Mifune or Takakura Ken.
I felt it was slow, very slow, but that worked to build the film’s tension. I expected more sword fights or at least more training scenes and sadly that was not the case. It was well-shot and well-acted, but for me it didn’t work. I felt the plot violated 3 or 4 of the 7 Virtues of Bushido, and the movie is supposed to be focusing on the Bushido spirit.
Basic story: some local village/domain is worried the Shogun will come in and take all their saved monies from them for a flooding project. They kill one of the Shogun’s representatives and framed one of their own who was the most likely to have a beef with the Shogun’s rep. The framed villager wanted to go to another village to learn/train more swordsmanship and is a bit too hot-tempered at times. The village elders framed him to take the fall to save the village.
Watching:
The Challenge (1982)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZupRgKY34
Directed by John Frankenheimer [Ronin (1998); The Manchurian Candidate (1962)]
Starring Scott Glenn (most recently starred as Stick in Netflix TV series Daredevil) and Toshirô Mifune. Billed as Steve Seagal, Seagal worked on this movie as technical advisor and martial arts coordinator.
I’m actually rewatching this, haven’t watched this in ages.
Basic story: Scott Glenn, an American boxer is involved in a feud over a Japanese family heirloom swords.
Will Watch:
Well, actually will rewatch … Man on Fire (1987) starring Scott Glenn – saw it ages ago… after watching Netflix’s Daredevil, am on a Scott Glenn mini-marathon
Lately been watching a bunch of movies, will start with this one …
Bushido (aka Shundo) (2013)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLJkVtbHW4
There was some hype on this film… a Japanese indie film that focused on the spirit of Bushido (Japanese warrior code). It was an authentic period film filled with tension and sword fights. Shot on historical locations, this film was hyped as the pinnacle of Japanese independent films. Bushido was written and directed by Yasuo Mikami. The crew that worked on this film, both in front of the camera as well as behind the camera were all experienced in making period films.
I didn’t know the director or any of the actors. I liked the actor that played the swordsmaster Daihachiro Harada, Takehiro Hira. He had a commanding screen presence reminiscent of Toshirô Mifune or Takakura Ken.
I felt it was slow, very slow, but that worked to build the film’s tension. I expected more sword fights or at least more training scenes and sadly that was not the case. It was well-shot and well-acted, but for me it didn’t work. I felt the plot violated 3 or 4 of the 7 Virtues of Bushido, and the movie is supposed to be focusing on the Bushido spirit.
Basic story: some local village/domain is worried the Shogun will come in and take all their saved monies from them for a flooding project. They kill one of the Shogun’s representatives and framed one of their own who was the most likely to have a beef with the Shogun’s rep. The framed villager wanted to go to another village to learn/train more swordsmanship and is a bit too hot-tempered at times. The village elders framed him to take the fall to save the village.
Watching:
The Challenge (1982)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZupRgKY34
Directed by John Frankenheimer [Ronin (1998); The Manchurian Candidate (1962)]
Starring Scott Glenn (most recently starred as Stick in Netflix TV series Daredevil) and Toshirô Mifune. Billed as Steve Seagal, Seagal worked on this movie as technical advisor and martial arts coordinator.
I’m actually rewatching this, haven’t watched this in ages.
Basic story: Scott Glenn, an American boxer is involved in a feud over a Japanese family heirloom swords.
Will Watch:
Well, actually will rewatch … Man on Fire (1987) starring Scott Glenn – saw it ages ago… after watching Netflix’s Daredevil, am on a Scott Glenn mini-marathon