On Sep 8, 7:57=A0pm, william wrote:
> On Sep 8, 8:52=A0pm, "MichaelW" wrote:> I l=
ike these old samurai movies that pop up in here. I haven't seen this
> > Mizoguchi, but i managed to get hold of Osaka Elegy that you reccomende=
d a
> > while ago. I just want to finish The Confession that S.D. reccomended f=
irst.
>
> > How will you say this Ronin film compares to the two famous Kurosawa sa=
murai
> > flicks: Yojimbo and Seven Samurai? Is this one as dramatic and action
> > filled?
>
> It doesn't compare. There is no action in the Mizoguchi flick. None.
> It is not one of those kind of samurai films.
>
As far as I know, Mizoguchi's version of "Chushingura"(aka the 47
Ronin) is the only version ever mounted that completely eliminates the
revenge sequence, which in pretty much every other version constitutes
the dramatic highpoint of the story (which, it should be pointed out,
was performed in both the kabuki and bunraku theatres from about 1750
on). Compare Inagaki's far better-known 1962 version of the story, for
instance; it faithfully follows formula. Mizoguchi's treatment of the
story might be equivalent to filming "Macbeth" and eliminating the
approach of Birnam Wood as well as the final duel with Macduff.
The story is based on a real incident that took place during the Edo
period, very early in the 18th century. The deeds of the 47 Ronin have
always been held up as the ultimate expression of bushido, the core
Samurai ethic of honor. As such, when Mizoguchi eliminated the revenge
sequence, a catharsis which the play and/or film have been building
towards for almost two hours, it mightily pissed off the militarist
government of the day, and Mizoguchi only narrowly avoided serious
trouble. He was no fan of militarism and speculation holds that he was
quite deliberately making a statement by focusing on the Ronin as
distinct individuals rather than purely as heroes. It's likely because
of this humanist stance that Mizoguchi only made two more films during
the war, both of them relatively short (60-75 minutes) period films of
no great distinction. One of them was a biopic of the great swordsman
Miyamoto Musashi, another great hero in the Japanese warrior pantheon;
probably this was another propaganda piece Mizoguchi was ordered to
make.
GMW |