PART 1 (Zenpen). Viewed on Streaming. Costumes = nine (9) stars; cinematography = eight (8) stars; set location/design = eight (8) stars; score = seven (7) stars; subtitles = five (5) stars; restoration = three (3) stars. Director Kenji Mizoguchi's prodding version of an old, well-known fictionalized tale (set at the turn of the 18th Century) with propaganda potential (it was endorsed/supported by the government) held to a minimum. Mizoguchi seems to never stray far from his original source material (a stage play) with dialog designed more for live theater than a movie. The Director has his actors/actresses deliver mostly mini soliloquies and expository information instead of using his camera to show events being described (sort of "no show and tell"!). Many (unseen) events are repeatedly described and trivial lines picture in words what the camera is simultaneously showing as if contemporary audience were considered to be very slow on the uptake. Mizoguchi deploys a huge cast that conveys the sheer magnitude of the bureaucracy then ruling the country. Costumes are outstanding (too bad the film was not shot in color!). Cinematography is very good with some especially creative overhead tracking shots. Sets are spectacular (exteriors are shot using Kyoto area landmarks). Restoration is not there yet. Visual artifacts are present throughout the film, and sound deterioration is a frequent irritation. Score (performed by a small-sounding orchestra) is way above what was the contemporary norm. It is creative and supports/enhances scenes. Subtitles are okay.
PART 2 (Kouhen). Viewed on Streaming. Costumes = eight (8) stars; cinematography = five (5) stars; restoration = two (2) stars. Director Kenji Mizoguchi continues his less than engaging all-talk-and-no-action adaption of a movie from a play. The two major events (i.e., the assassination of the Shogun (Japan's military ruler) and Seppuku (ritual suicide) committed by the assassin as punishment) occurs off screen, but are endlessly talked about on screen. Budgeting constraints become obvious with some exterior scenes reused from Part 1 and very few new exterior scenes provided. (Even the Ronin count is down to 46!) Since the outcome of this folk tale is well known, Mizoguchi stretches his film between the Shogun's assassination and carrying out the penalty the assassins must pay (according to the law) by inserting endless pseudo philosophical discussions plus a silly, off-the-wall romantic subplot (or two) of no consequence. The film could easily be cut at least in half starting with the elimination of Part 2 and folding its two significant events into Part 1 (which has room to spare!). It remains a mystery how an open-secret plan to kill off the Shogun could not be rendered moot by either a preemptive strike on the rebels by the Shogun's huge army or at least deploying troops to totally protect the Shogun from harm! But, of course, this is all make believe. (Recent historical research suggests that the death of this group of Ronins may have occurred in battle and not by Seppuku.) Restoration seems to be limited to just splicing (poorly) reels together. Keep caffeine pills at the ready when viewing! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
PART 2 (Kouhen). Viewed on Streaming. Costumes = eight (8) stars; cinematography = five (5) stars; restoration = two (2) stars. Director Kenji Mizoguchi continues his less than engaging all-talk-and-no-action adaption of a movie from a play. The two major events (i.e., the assassination of the Shogun (Japan's military ruler) and Seppuku (ritual suicide) committed by the assassin as punishment) occurs off screen, but are endlessly talked about on screen. Budgeting constraints become obvious with some exterior scenes reused from Part 1 and very few new exterior scenes provided. (Even the Ronin count is down to 46!) Since the outcome of this folk tale is well known, Mizoguchi stretches his film between the Shogun's assassination and carrying out the penalty the assassins must pay (according to the law) by inserting endless pseudo philosophical discussions plus a silly, off-the-wall romantic subplot (or two) of no consequence. The film could easily be cut at least in half starting with the elimination of Part 2 and folding its two significant events into Part 1 (which has room to spare!). It remains a mystery how an open-secret plan to kill off the Shogun could not be rendered moot by either a preemptive strike on the rebels by the Shogun's huge army or at least deploying troops to totally protect the Shogun from harm! But, of course, this is all make believe. (Recent historical research suggests that the death of this group of Ronins may have occurred in battle and not by Seppuku.) Restoration seems to be limited to just splicing (poorly) reels together. Keep caffeine pills at the ready when viewing! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.