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Samurai Banners Director: Hiroshi Inagaki Number of Items: 1 Format: Color Running Time: 166 minutes Studio: AnimEigo Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2005-07-12 Buy from Amazon

From Description The landmark film that ushered in Japan's "golden age" of filmmaking! Mifune Toshiro stars in this epic adventure story, based on a best selling historical novel. Yamamoto Kansuke (Mifune) is a fearsome warrior who has risen to the position of Clan Chamberlain through trickery and deceit, only to learn the true meaning of honor when he and his Lord, Takeda, fall in love with the same woman. Set against the background of great conflict, Samurai Banners is one of Mifune's greatest films! DVD Features: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen Japanese with English Subtitles Bonus Material Includes: Original Theatrical Trailers Image Gallery Character Biographies Interactive Program Notes

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 9 Average rating: 3.5 "Beware" I first ordered this DVD through Border's. When I received it and played it, there were NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES. This, despite the fact that the menu listed subtitles. So I then ordered it from Amazon. When I received it, it was the same story, NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES, despite the menu listing such. Fool that I am, I had given away my VHS version before I had received either DVD! Perhaps Amereigo, the production company, issued a few duds, I don't know. Anyway, when you receive your DVD, keep the packaging, as you may need to return it. "A Superb Samurai Period Film" This superb period film does not make the mistake of concentrating on either of the two warring lords Takeda and/or Kagetora but instead focus' on Takeda's most celebrated general Kansuke Yamamoto (Toshiro Mifune), who was the brain behind the victories anyway. His story is much more interesting, both as one of a man driven by a wildly ambitious dream, and also one consumed with tragic love. On either level this film works wonders. Set in Japan between 1543 and 1562 (the period of Warring States) SAMURAI BANNERS is an epic film! The costumes are impeccable, the film is engrossing and I didn't even realize it was almost three hours long. The battles are nicely done, but not overindulging. (For people who come for the violent samurai films, SAMURAI BANNERS will be sure to disappoint.) Toshiro Mifune is great, even with a shaved head! The English subtitles by AnimEgo were superb, probably one of the best I've seen, they even had different colors for different characters. They also provided running explanations for some of the terms used in conversation. Very complete, very nicely done, and nary a grammatical error. I can't wait for this film to appear on DVD, the VHS transfer, although decent, cannot do the colors justice. "More drama then war." I am bit surprised to read the two previous reviews. The AnimEigo edition of Samurai Banners proves to be well presented and its subtitles with its different colors to see who's talking proves to be one of the highlights. This movie got excellent subtitles!! Maybe that reviewer who didn't get the subtitles should check his DVD player. He may have turned something off. I enjoyed watching Samurai Banners despite of its 163 minutes or so length and the fact that its more of a samurai drama film with a war theme then anything else. Toshiro Mifune who have been considered as Japan's verison of John Wayne is well cast in this movie as it followed the destiny of the Takeda clan through many campaigns. For those who may care, Takeda clan also featured in the film, Kagamusha. Mifune's character, Yamamoto Kansuke (real historical figure), joined the clan, and it helped lead it to many victories, gaining the trust and confidence of his lord and along the way, fall in love with his lord's concubine. The movie is well acted, scripted and directed although fans of bloody battles may have to look else where. Although the movie seem to dragged here and there but overall, despite of the length, the film moves with great deal of interest. The audience will be caught up in the going on of the Takeda clan and its struggles as they faced stronger foes as the movie goes on. For any Mifune fan, this movie should be on the mandatory buy list. Although Mifune's fortune fell after he left his partnership with Kurosawa, this movie still showed him at his best. There are couple of interesting extras in this package. There is a one about character biographies which should be watch before the movie since it introduced the viewer to all the major characters of the movie. It probably be easier to followed the film. Second for more die-hard fan, there is Interactive Program Notes which gives you a super basic history lesson on period of warring warlords in Japan. It might be interesting to read this before watching the film. It may help understand the motivation behind some of the characters. Both features are pretty short in duration. Overall a pretty good film, not boring and although bit pricy, a definitely worth the money. (History minded viewer should read the book Kawanakajima 1553-64 by Stephen Turnbull for more in-depth historical look at the background of this movie. Its part of the Osprey Campaign Series #130.) "The DVD sucks" I received a DVD by Animeigo that gets to be almost pitch black and then goes back to normal every 5 seconds. Obviously I received a dud from Animeigo. I'll never buy anything from that distributor again. "Must have" This movie is a must have for every Toshiro Mifune fan. Animeigo did an excellent job on the transfer. Highly recommended if you enjoy action/drama samurai films.