Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
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Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
I've got a confession to make: I've seen very few films by Akira Kurosawa. In fact, the only one I've watched in full as an adult is Rashomon. I know we usually like to talk kaiju on TK but seeing as Kurosawa directed quite a few films for Toho, I thought this would be a good place to ask for recommendations. I've wanted to watch more Kurosawa films for years and now that I have a HBO Max subscription again, that's finally a possibility. So come on film buffs, where should I start?
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Yojimbo of course!
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Anywhere! Any Kurosawa is worth it
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
The easy place to start for Kurosawa, in my opinion, is Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Sanjuro
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Seven Samurai is, as I understand it, widely considered a contender for the best film ever made, so. I liked it. Gonna need to rewatch it someday.
Yojimbo was a freaking joy. Just a very funny, entertaining movie full of quirky characters.
And that's all I've seen. >_> I'll benefit from this thread, too.
Yojimbo was a freaking joy. Just a very funny, entertaining movie full of quirky characters.
And that's all I've seen. >_> I'll benefit from this thread, too.
Last edited by JAGzilla on Thu Feb 02, 2023 1:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
I might get a lot of flak for this, as it’s a very different film from the rest of his catalog, but Dreams. It’s not like his other films; it’s an anthology of 9 short films with different themes and genres. It showcases a lot of imagination and horror.
If you want a jidaigeki film, go with Kagemusha. Imo it’s the best with a really high production team, and just epic on all accounts. Kurosawa has this weird reputation for all his films being in black and white…but he shot a lot of stuff in color too and it progressively gets better…
If you want a jidaigeki film, go with Kagemusha. Imo it’s the best with a really high production team, and just epic on all accounts. Kurosawa has this weird reputation for all his films being in black and white…but he shot a lot of stuff in color too and it progressively gets better…
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Literally came in here to recommend Dreams. Such an experience.
Something that's indictive of Kursosawa's strengths without samurai is also of course Ikiru, if you're in the mood for something sweet and sad.
Something that's indictive of Kursosawa's strengths without samurai is also of course Ikiru, if you're in the mood for something sweet and sad.
Last edited by Major sssspielberg! on Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
This is my recommendation too.
Yojimbo is a short and sweet entry compared to Kurosawa's other three hour epics like Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, or Red Beard. It's got a focus on adventure and action that makes it palatable to newcomers that might not enjoy Kurosawa's slower movies. It doesn't contain horribly outdated social politics like Rashomon, nor does it have grim, depressing themes like Ran or Ikiru.
Yojimbo is the perfect gateway movie for Kurosawa. And it has a sequel!
And if you like Masaru Sato's music, he's here too, and at he's his A-game.
Last edited by Spuro on Thu Feb 02, 2023 4:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Yojimbo (1961) was the first Akira Kurosawa film that I ever saw and it is terrific. It has been remade twice, as A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and Last Man Standing (1993), so you might already know the story if you've seen either of those but Yojimbo is still a great introduction to Kurosawa's films. Sanjuro (1962) is the sequel.
Throne of Blood (1957) is another really good one. It's Kurosawa's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth as a jidaigeki film.
All three of these films star Toshiro Mifune with supporting casts filled with familiar faces to Godzilla fans including Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Akira Kubo, Yu Fujiki, Yosuke Natsuki, Sachio Sakai and Minoru Chiaki.
Throne of Blood (1957) is another really good one. It's Kurosawa's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth as a jidaigeki film.
All three of these films star Toshiro Mifune with supporting casts filled with familiar faces to Godzilla fans including Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Akira Kubo, Yu Fujiki, Yosuke Natsuki, Sachio Sakai and Minoru Chiaki.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
What do you guys think of High and Low? The premise interests me a lot.
The wisest words ever spoken on TK: "When I Saw The Showa Movie's white My Friend's They seid WTF is This Your showing Me to Men Fighting In suit's they found At party city Butt when I Showed Them The Heisei film's they thoght They where pritty fun To Watch"
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
I was just coming to suggest this. Arguably Kurosawa's most accessible film to Western audiences, IMO. Really great film.HedorahIsBestGirl wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:44 am What do you guys think of High and Low? The premise interests me a lot.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Police procedurals aren't usually my thing, but High and Low was still a very good film despite that. It wouldn't be my film of choice to recommend to a newcomer, but who am I to say what your tastes are? If it interests you, go for it!HedorahIsBestGirl wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:44 am What do you guys think of High and Low? The premise interests me a lot.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
I watched Seven Samurai in full last night and I have to say, it's impressive when a film actually lives up to the hype. I'd previously seen several scenes from the film but that's not the same as watching the whole epic start to finish. I was already aware that this was one of the most influential films in history but watching it, I was astonished how many times I've seen it referenced, homaged and blatantly ripped off in other movies and TV shows. Hell, Star Wars shows have adapted its premise at least twice.
Also, I already knew Takashi Shimura was a great actor but damn... really want to watch Ikiru now. I'll probably watch that one and Yojimbo next.
Also, I already knew Takashi Shimura was a great actor but damn... really want to watch Ikiru now. I'll probably watch that one and Yojimbo next.
The wisest words ever spoken on TK: "When I Saw The Showa Movie's white My Friend's They seid WTF is This Your showing Me to Men Fighting In suit's they found At party city Butt when I Showed Them The Heisei film's they thoght They where pritty fun To Watch"
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
So far, I have seen Seven Samurai, Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo, Sanjuro and Rashomon.
Last edited by LegendZilla on Sat Feb 04, 2023 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
All of these suggestions are good picks if you're looking for a "gateway". Yojimbo was my first, and is indeed a great choice.
That said, I humbly advised anyone here looking to expand their Japanese cinema palettes to look well beyond just Kurosawa (as I've seen so many wannabe cinephiles do). I feel Kurosawa (and maybe Ozu for the slightly more seasoned) gets a ton of recognition in the West, almost always at the expense of other Japanese filmmakers. While Kurosawa is a fine jumping-on point to the world of broader Japanese cinema, please don't overlook other fine filmmakers.
That said, I humbly advised anyone here looking to expand their Japanese cinema palettes to look well beyond just Kurosawa (as I've seen so many wannabe cinephiles do). I feel Kurosawa (and maybe Ozu for the slightly more seasoned) gets a ton of recognition in the West, almost always at the expense of other Japanese filmmakers. While Kurosawa is a fine jumping-on point to the world of broader Japanese cinema, please don't overlook other fine filmmakers.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Yeah don't forget about Kinji Fukasasu. What a trashy and entertaining list of movies he has.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
Like Senkichi Takiguchi.MaxRebo320 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 10:38 am While Kurosawa is a fine jumping-on point to the world of broader Japanese cinema, please don't overlook other fine filmmakers.
Last edited by LegendZilla on Sat Feb 04, 2023 4:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recommendations for Kurosawa Films
High and Low is my personal favorite Kurosawa movie. It's a very well structured crime drama, with the latter half serving as a bit of a precursor to things like CSI.HedorahIsBestGirl wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 7:44 am What do you guys think of High and Low? The premise interests me a lot.
Outside of the jidaigeki entries like Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, I also highly recommend his very last movie, Madadayo. Overall, it's a pretty simple drama, but so enjoyable and effective.
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