Miyamoto Musashi (1961)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Tomu Uchida

Writers:

Masashige Narusawa (adaptation)
Naoyuki Suzuki (adaptation)

Release Date:

27 May 1961 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Jidai Geki | Based On Novel

Cast

Kinnosuke Nakamura	...	Miyamoto Musashi (Takezo)
Akiko Kazami	...	Ogin
Wakaba Irie	...	Otsu
Isao Kimura	...	Hon'iden Matahachi
Chieko Naniwa	...	Osugi
Kusuo Abe	...	Fuchikawa Goroku
Rentaro Mikuni	...	Muneaki Takuan
Tokubei Hanazawa	...	Tanzaemon Aoki
Minosuke Bandô	...	Terumasa Ikeda
Michiyo Kogure	...	Oko
Satomi Oka	...	Akemi
Kunio Kaga	...	Tsuji Kaze Ten Ma
Seiji Miyaguchi	...	Bamboo craftsman Kisuke
Harue Akagi	...	Kisuke's wife
Shojiro Ogasawara	...	Shichiho temple monk

Also Known As:

Zen and Sword (International: English title)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Toei Company

Movie Connections:

Followed by Miyamoto Musashi: Hannyazaka no ketto (1962)

Life was tough in 1600

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The title character, Takezo (later renamed MM), is a fierce beast who lives for fighting and war. The opening of the film sees him crawling in the mud and around slain soldiers to find the young lad who joined him in battle. Takezo mourns that "there'll be no more wars, and what shall I do ?".

The pair are sheltered by a woman and her daughter, who live by stealing from dead soldiers. All four are on the run, as Takezo has in fact deserted. And when Takezo is in turn deserted by the other three, be becomes an outlaw, killing to escape capture.

But he feels obliged to return home, to pass on news and check on his sister's welfare. The game of cat and mouse has begun. The Shogun's vassal's men fail, and the job of capturing the fugitive falls to a wily priest.

I found this film at least watchable and, at times, engrossing. I could well have imagined the great Mifune playing the lead role. Takezo is bursting with vigour and aggression, seething like a wild beast. When he is captured, he is trussed up like a chicken and strung on a high tree to twist in the wind and "have his eyes picked out by the crows". During this scene, he holds a long dialogue with his captors, mainly the priest. His rasping, screeching and furious voice is nearly spellbinding.

The performances are great all round. Apart from the lead actor, the wily priest gives a performance which runs the gamut from serious to hilarous. And the spiteful and scheming grandmother is a real blast too.

This story is reportedly a classic and has been filmed many times. My views it that Takezo is a kind of Japanese everyman. Seething with passion but hemmed in by a society which no longer values warriors. A beast who is being coaxed towards spiritual awakening. Loyal to certain people, including family, but betrayed at unexpected times.

And there is some simply beautiful scenery. Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and green fields. Lovely stuff.

In short, a powerful film with action, betrayal and a strong spiritual theme. Recommended.