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Chushingura Actors: Koshiro Matsumoto, Yuzo Kayama Director: Hiroshi Inagaki Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 207 minutes Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2001-02-27 Buy from Amazon |
 "A touching telling of the 47 Ronin story"This is an excellent film relating the true story of the 47 vassals of the Asano family who avenged their dead lord. The story is briefly as follows: in 1701, Lord Asano, ruler of a section of western Japan, was grievously insulted by Lord Kira while in the Shogun's castle. Asano attacked Kira with his sword to avenge the insult, wounding Kira slightly. For drawing his sword in the castle, Lord Asano was forced to commit seppuku (suicide with a sword) and his domain was confiscated by the government. His samurai warriors were out of their jobs, and 47 of them, under Chamberlain Oishi, united to avenge their master on Lord Kira. For taking the law into their own hands, they too were forced to commit seppuku. This film is very good, and can only be criticized on the grounds that it moves quite slowly. However, it is a fine film overall; I've watched it several times and still enjoy it. "."I do have some qualms with this film. I don't mind it being so incredibly slow-moving, I should probably clarify -- in fact, that's a part of what I enjoy about it. I admire movies that take their time. The problem here, is that due to extremely horrendous subtitling, the movie is almost impossible to follow. I have only seen it through once, I can only hope it becomes clearer with repeated viewings. In any case, as long as you get the jist of what's happening, and you are predisposed fondly to old Japanese cinema, there is plenty here to enjoy and enrich -- just be warned, the subtitles are annoying and unclear, and leave you guessing as to exactly what's going on.  "One Of The Finest Movies Of All Time"A complex, slow paced saga which will hold you to your seat all the way through! There are many people who would complain about the way the movie is paced but it is fascinating to watch all of the many subplots unfold and develop throughout the movie. I have seen this movie several times and it works best in the theater, where all of the beautiful cinematography can be appreciated. If Americans had made this movie, they'd probably would have made this into a two week miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain (gag). This one takes a bit of work to watch but it is extremely rewarding.  "Does not live up to the reviews I've read"Starting and ending quite interesting, the bulk of this film contains extremely subtle drama that is as exciting as a de Balzac novel. The slow pace alienates the viewer and some of the sub-plots almost seem tacked on. Filmed very well but well short of brilliant. The acting and direction, however, are superb. Toshiro Mifune has a very minor role despite being pictured on the cover. "Sheer greatness"If you live long enough to see the opening sequence of "47 Ronin", you may die happy: for you have witnessed the greatness of the motion picture form as pure art. Some say that if nothing survived of the life and teaching of Christ but the "Sermon on the Mount", we would still be able to grasp the gist of his message. So it is with "47 Ronin" and motion pictures: if you only ever see the first ten minutes of this flick and never see another movie for the rest of your life, you will be in a position to understand the limitations and advantages of cinema as art. On the surface, the morality play carries some wonderful, solid truths about loyalty. But what lies underneath the surface, and trusted to the care of the viewer's own sensibility, is something more precious: a bit of life, depicted in its glory and misery, through Mizoguchi's iris. |
