This movie is vary unlike most reviews you'd read on here on IMDb. It is a classic in it's self. Most reviews would tell you this movie is ridiculous, silly, cheesy, corny and has a stupid ending. NONE OF THESE THINGS ARE TRUE!!! The way the movie is laid out and filmed is worth the watching in itself. There's a lot of twists and turns so if your into that sort of thing this one is perfect for you (I am thats why I like this movie so much , but I just hope your good at reading subtitles because if you can't, this one will be REALLY hard to follow.) The acting is pretty good, not excellent but decent. The storyline is genius if you can follow it through till the end and get the meaning of the whole thing. There isn't that much sword fighting in this movie, but more ninja type fighting (shurikan, darts, ball & sickle type thing.) The soundtrack and cinematography compliment the twisting storyline excellently as well. Often, during some events we'll hear sort of a sobbing violin riff that is a nice compliment to the event being portrayed, a thing that is exclusive to this film at the time it was released. Character development for the main character isn't vary strong but we still bond with him, and by the end of the film I found myself cheering him on even though I don't have much background on him as a person. The villain is a cool ninja clad in all white (the guy on the cover of the criterion DVD) while the rest of the villains are some that one would never expect, something that makes this film great, is you never know who is who until the final moments of this film. With this being said, if your a fan of ninja films this is an essential! If your a fan of mind bobbling story lines with twists and turns and mysterious characters, this is an essential. If your a samurai fan, I would At least rent it, if not buy it. So thats about it, great film, 10/10, Masterpiece in its own regard, definitely recommend it!
Reviews
2 Reviews
Samurai Rebellion
(1967)
In my humble opinion, ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER MADE!!!!
2 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, there are so many great things about this movie, I will name a few of them so I won't leave you knowing the whole thing before you even see it.
Alright, the first great thing, is that this movie can fit in with so many different types of audiences and tastes in film. If your a samurai movie fan, this movie is an essential! But if your not, if you just enjoy a well thought out and dramatic story line, this movie is also perfect for you. (however if you know little about the history of the period of this movie, I suggest you do some research to prevent getting lost and therefore ruining the movie)
Secondly, the direction, cinematography, and pace is totally without flaw. The story unfolds in an epic manner and portrays the emotions of the characters perfectly!
Thridly, the acting in this film is absolutely superb! With Toshiro Mifune (argueably one of the greatest actors of all time in case you didn't know) and Tatsuya Nakadai (probably second only to Toshiro Mifune in acting ability and praise) this movie couldn't be more packed with excellent portrayal of the strongly developed characters. Also, even though the names aren't big, every other single actor in this film is flawless.
Another notable thing about this film, especially if your a fan of the jidai geki or chambara genres (or just the samurai genre in general) is that this film marks a valuable milestone in the genre and the direction of films in Japan. The fifties samurai films were filled with loyal samurai warriors who carried out justice with gusto no matter what. However, this movie is the thresh hold of the rebel samurai (hence the name). This film portrays a samurai family's decision to resist a wrongful decision made by their clan. Moreso, it portrays the ability of human beings, samurai or otherwise, to stand up for what is right. And to resist evil even if you are binded to them through such a powerful tie that is a samurai and his superior.
This is also a Kobayashi film, who is, along with Kurasawa (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Ikiru) considered one of the greatest directors to come out of Japan.
This film is just so filled with emotion, in almost every scene, notably the final charge of Toshiro Mifune's character against countless gunman in which he dies wishing luck for his grandchild, which signifies selflessness to the death, an utmost act of devotion to ones family. And even though critics will say this isn't for the swordplay fans, the action that is in the film is geniusly carried out and choreographed to perfection.
Well what more can I say, this film is just about as close to perfection as a film can get. There's just not a single thing bad about it. This masterpiece of emotion and value is probably one of the most underrated films of all time. So do it justice by renting it, or if your a fan of the genre, I would say it would be safe to buy it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed (unless your looking for the gory slashfest type thing like Lone Wolf & Cub, then you will probably be disappointed because that isn't what this film is, though action it does have). So that is about all I can say, rent it or buy it or see it at a film festival, whatever you do, just immerse yourself in the masterpiece that is Samurai Rebellion. I've yet to meet a person who wasn't left breathless after doing so!
Alright, the first great thing, is that this movie can fit in with so many different types of audiences and tastes in film. If your a samurai movie fan, this movie is an essential! But if your not, if you just enjoy a well thought out and dramatic story line, this movie is also perfect for you. (however if you know little about the history of the period of this movie, I suggest you do some research to prevent getting lost and therefore ruining the movie)
Secondly, the direction, cinematography, and pace is totally without flaw. The story unfolds in an epic manner and portrays the emotions of the characters perfectly!
Thridly, the acting in this film is absolutely superb! With Toshiro Mifune (argueably one of the greatest actors of all time in case you didn't know) and Tatsuya Nakadai (probably second only to Toshiro Mifune in acting ability and praise) this movie couldn't be more packed with excellent portrayal of the strongly developed characters. Also, even though the names aren't big, every other single actor in this film is flawless.
Another notable thing about this film, especially if your a fan of the jidai geki or chambara genres (or just the samurai genre in general) is that this film marks a valuable milestone in the genre and the direction of films in Japan. The fifties samurai films were filled with loyal samurai warriors who carried out justice with gusto no matter what. However, this movie is the thresh hold of the rebel samurai (hence the name). This film portrays a samurai family's decision to resist a wrongful decision made by their clan. Moreso, it portrays the ability of human beings, samurai or otherwise, to stand up for what is right. And to resist evil even if you are binded to them through such a powerful tie that is a samurai and his superior.
This is also a Kobayashi film, who is, along with Kurasawa (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Ikiru) considered one of the greatest directors to come out of Japan.
This film is just so filled with emotion, in almost every scene, notably the final charge of Toshiro Mifune's character against countless gunman in which he dies wishing luck for his grandchild, which signifies selflessness to the death, an utmost act of devotion to ones family. And even though critics will say this isn't for the swordplay fans, the action that is in the film is geniusly carried out and choreographed to perfection.
Well what more can I say, this film is just about as close to perfection as a film can get. There's just not a single thing bad about it. This masterpiece of emotion and value is probably one of the most underrated films of all time. So do it justice by renting it, or if your a fan of the genre, I would say it would be safe to buy it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed (unless your looking for the gory slashfest type thing like Lone Wolf & Cub, then you will probably be disappointed because that isn't what this film is, though action it does have). So that is about all I can say, rent it or buy it or see it at a film festival, whatever you do, just immerse yourself in the masterpiece that is Samurai Rebellion. I've yet to meet a person who wasn't left breathless after doing so!
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