Reviews & Ratings for
The Rickshaw Man More at IMDbPro »Muhomatsu no issho (original title)

8 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
A soap opera but an amazing one filled with great acting., 9 July 2005

Author: bscardozo from United States

Like the other comments, this movie should be available on DVD or VHS. I remember seeing it 40 years ago and its brilliance stands out in my mind as if I saw it yesterday.

Toshiro Mifune plays against type. No samurai warrior he, but a humble Rickshaw man secretly in love with an upper class woman. He shepherds her son throughout the years and the woman, while almost recognizing the Rickshaw Man has helped make her son a man, never comprehends the love Mifune has for her.

A classic woman's film that caused this man to cry. And the fact that it stars Mifune and is directed by a macho director who likes to do period Samurai movies is amazing. Two macho stars making one of the great soaps of all time. And I mean that in the best of ways.

8 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
An excellent film!, 22 December 2004

Author: liliput2002 from Germany

Why on earth its so hard to get this film on video? Only an extreme bad English subtitled VHS, a good Chinese subtitle, but no German subtitle or German synchronized. I saw this film 40 years ago in German cinema, and except a Japanese VHS or DVD (see above)there's nothing to receive. This film is so good, that I even can understand the meaning of the Japanese Video. (With the help of my Japanese woman) The tragedy of a Rikshaman is shown in an excellent way, how he helps a young boy, when his father died, and that he cant marry the mother of that boy, because he is from a "lower Kaste". I hope one day I will get a German - or at least an English copy, to understand all the words, they say.

6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
My Absolute Fave of All Time, 27 February 2005

Author: jim priddy from Sandy Eggo, California

It's just a darn shame that this isn't available on tape or DVD. It is a delightful yarn about the upheaval in Japan at the coming of the 20th Century. Besides being a good tale, it gives the viewer a lot of insight into the metamorphosis of Japanese society away from the samurai code and into the Machine-Age. Funny and thought-provoking. Mifune got my attention with this film. I was a devoted fan after seeing "The Rickshaw Man" (as the posters proclaimed). Another bonus is the very excellent production design. There was no doubt in your mind what era the movie was transporting you to. And, for something shot in the '50s, you wouldn't find any complaints about the cinema-photography. You know, if a producer had half a brain, he/she couldn't go wrong with doing a remake of this film.

5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
I agree, 29 July 2005

Author: 72256-2737 from United States

I last saw this film nearly 35 years ago and would like to see an English subtitled DVD one more time before I go. Of all the films that Mifune Toshiro made, this is the one I love the most. Mifune's portrayal of a common man who does not apologize for his lot in life but instead lives it to it's fullest extent is both amusing and inspirational.

There was also a version done by Mikuni Rentaro (Toei Studios) that I have seen. At this point in time, I am willing to watch any of the many remakes of this film.

Hopefully someone with some "juice" will read these comments and act on bringing a good English subtitled version to DVD.

6 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Great acting and story, 23 March 2003

Author: jim priddy from Sandy Eggo, California

While filled with pathos, there is enough fun in this film to keep you on your toes. Set in Japan at the turn of the 20th century, it shows how a simple rickshaw man has to adjust to the modernization of his country. Menawhile, keeping his promise to a dead client, he cares for the wife and child of the dead naval officer. The hitch is that he loves the beautiful widow and child. Yet, is constrained by social boundries from ever expressing it to them.

Only Mifune could have turned in a performance such as this.

Just wish they'd remaster this rascal and offer it as a DVD.

3 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Sad tale about a poor Rikisha man...., 6 April 1999

Author: Buslady from So Cal

Really great movie. About a poor rikisha man, Matsu)mifune) who cares for Toshio and her son after her husband, Yoshioka suddenly dies. Matsu acts as the boy's fatherly figure, he spots the child with a tangled up kite..he parks his rikshaw with a customer seated and runs over to help out the kid; he plays games, tells stories about himself to the kid and the best bit is the games..during a parade he jumps up to a great big kodo drum and begins to play...that is the best part. I won't give the end away. Gotta see that for yourself. but it's not happy. Like all Toshiro's movies, it's well worth the time to watch.

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