Being a native English speaker with no knowledge of Japenese I may be at a disadvantage in commenting on this film. But as one who appreciates the beauty of the language in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" it is difficult not to be disappointed by the mundane subtitles. Instead of poetry we get an uninspired narrative. Compare "Commander of Fort 1" with "thane of Cawdor" and "Cobweb Forest" to "Birnam wood."
There is much sound and fury in Mifune's performance but I found his rantings harsh to the ear. I recognize that what is histrionic to me may be sublime to a Japanese, but I felt the need to turn the volume down as the movie went along. However, I thought that Isuzu Yamada, in the Lady Macbeth role, was impressive; paradoxically her quiet restraint accentuated her dominating authority. The scenes between Yamada and Mifune in the bare room are powerful. But, Yamada seemed so unwavering in her ambition that her total reversal in the "Out, damned spot" scene seemed unmotivated.
There is some engaging black and white photography but often director Kurosawa appears to be too much in love with his own brilliant technique. When Washizu and Miki get lost in the Cobweb Forest they ride in and out of the fog for a good two and a half minutes when thirty seconds would have been enough; the scene where Washizu accompanies the murdered lord's coffin to Miki's castle seems to go on forever. As spectacular as the final scene is where Washizu is inundated with a barrage of a thousand arrows, it was unbelievable that 99% of them missed him by only a few inches. I suppose this was in order to allow him to die a more dramatic prolonged death. A single arrow through the neck might have been more effective.
It may be that a culture gap is greatly responsible for my reaction to this film, but I cannot give it high marks.
There is much sound and fury in Mifune's performance but I found his rantings harsh to the ear. I recognize that what is histrionic to me may be sublime to a Japanese, but I felt the need to turn the volume down as the movie went along. However, I thought that Isuzu Yamada, in the Lady Macbeth role, was impressive; paradoxically her quiet restraint accentuated her dominating authority. The scenes between Yamada and Mifune in the bare room are powerful. But, Yamada seemed so unwavering in her ambition that her total reversal in the "Out, damned spot" scene seemed unmotivated.
There is some engaging black and white photography but often director Kurosawa appears to be too much in love with his own brilliant technique. When Washizu and Miki get lost in the Cobweb Forest they ride in and out of the fog for a good two and a half minutes when thirty seconds would have been enough; the scene where Washizu accompanies the murdered lord's coffin to Miki's castle seems to go on forever. As spectacular as the final scene is where Washizu is inundated with a barrage of a thousand arrows, it was unbelievable that 99% of them missed him by only a few inches. I suppose this was in order to allow him to die a more dramatic prolonged death. A single arrow through the neck might have been more effective.
It may be that a culture gap is greatly responsible for my reaction to this film, but I cannot give it high marks.