Historical paintings (“Jidi geki”) and historical tapes with an abundance of sword fights (“chanbaras”) have established traditions established by renowned directors Hiroshi Inagaki, Daisuke Ito, Akira Kurosawa and Masahiro Makino.
Genre transformation
But over time, samurai films evolved, arguments about military duty, devotion to the code of honor were replaced by a more spectacular and vivid spectacle with an accelerated pace of narration. The influence of the Western film industry is reflected in the new sub genre of Gendai Gecki. The demonstrated flexibility did not allow the samurai tapes to sink into oblivion, covered with archival dust. Having undergone significant changes, modern samurai cinema has become more dynamic, tough, rather cynical and even erotic.
The work of the great master
Often, one of the most significant figures among directors who shot samurai films is called Akira Kurosawa, a Japanese filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer who created 30 films throughout his creative career. His influence on the canons of samurai paintings, professionalism is undeniable. Recall only the costume-historical paintings “Rasemon” (1950), “Bodyguard” (1961), “Seven Samurai” (1954), “The Brave Samurai”. Among the latest works of the master are spectacular and at the same time deep samurai epics, for example, “The Shadow of a Warrior”.
National japanese product
Listing the best samurai films, one can not help but recall the work of Shizo Makino "Tysingura: A True Story" (1928). The director first told the world the story of the famous faithful 47 ronin. After reliable Japanese tradition was turned by Hollywood into a fairy tale for teens “47 Ronin” (2014). In the project of Karl Rinsch, entertainment instead of morality, special effects instead of honor, and ghosts instead of people.
Among the cult tapes belonging to the category of “samurai films”, there is also the brainchild of Hiroshi Inagaki “Samurai: The Way of the Warrior” (1954) and “The Story of Cruelty of Bushido,” directed by Tadashi Imai in 1963.
Cool funky rock and roll movie
In the history of cinema there are a lot of curious and having a certain artistic value of paintings that are not known to a wide audience or frankly underrated. For example, a Japanese adventure thriller with elements of the comedy "Samurai History", the film has a second translation of the name - "Samurai Fiction". The Japanese project was staged in 1998 by Hiroyuki Nakano, who also co-wrote the script. The full-length tape was the debut for the director, who had previously created music videos, documentaries and television series. Rating of the painting IMDb: 7.30. It should have been called “The Last Samurai,” but this name was already taken, and the author did not want to repeat it. Events in the movie unfold in ancient Japan, during the Tokugawa shogunate. The key character is young and hot Heishiro Inukai, the son of a clan adviser. Once the criminal Rannosuke Kazamatsuri encroaches on one of the relics of the clan - the sword, which was transferred to the head by the shogun Tokugawa more than 80 years ago. Enlisting the support of two friends, contrary to the will of his father, Hashiro sets off in search of the lost artifact. Excited about the fate of the offspring, the father sends them two of the best clan fighters.
On the genre faces
Many fans of samurai cinema will surely like the work of director Yojiro Takita “The Last Samurai Sword” / “Samurai Sword”. The film was released in 2002, its IMDb rating: 7.60. The events of the film develop in the middle of the 19th century, at a time when the power of the shoguns began to weaken. At the center of the story is the garrison of the defenders of Kyoto, who were faced with the choice of either going over to the side of the rebels and saving their lives, or dying without tarnishing their honor. The confrontation begins between the former teacher Yoshimura and his opponent - the noble Samurai Saito. This structure is considered traditional for samurai films.
The project is a sophisticated and at the same time honest and naive sight. Scenes of fights on swords are not accelerated, ropes and other technical devices are not used. Characters fight not so much spectacularly as effective. Blood looks extremely authentic - thick and dark. The operator is not keen on postcard plans, shooting everything as is. The director boldly balances on genre faces, dramatic episodes alternate with funny comic inserts, tough battle scenes with melodramatic ones.
Samurai cuisine
The film is directed by Yuzo Asahara “The Tale of Samurai Cuisine. A Love Story ”(2013) with an IMDb rating of 6.80 is fundamentally different from the genre paintings presented above. The main character of the film, the beautiful Oharu, has a natural culinary talent. Thanks to this, she becomes the wife of the arrogant samurai Yasunobu, the heir to the Funaki family. Despite the fact that the whole family appeases the culinary delights of the rulers, Yasunobu is absolutely not able to cook. Realizing the idea of the mother-in-law, Oharu gradually instills in her husband the basics of the art of cooking. The work of Yuzo Asahara is a real gift for lovers of the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. The picture is a chronicle of family life, which fit the thorny path of heroes from strangers to loving spouses, a close-knit team that has withstood the difficulties that went through the thorns of quarrels, reproaches and insults.
This picture is difficult to compare with the usual samurai films. For fans of battles and action scenes, it will be more prudent to recommend viewing the Shadow Samurai, Harakiri, Last Samurai and Zatoychi tapes.