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Ghost Dog - samuraiden tapaan

Original title: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
  • 19991999
  • K-16K-16
  • 1h 56min
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
89K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:30
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.

IMDb RATING
7.5/10
89K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jim Jarmusch
  • Writer
    • Jim Jarmusch
  • Stars
    • Forest Whitaker
    • Henry Silva
    • John Tormey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jim Jarmusch
  • Writer
    • Jim Jarmusch
  • Stars
    • Forest Whitaker
    • Henry Silva
    • John Tormey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 366User reviews
    • 168Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 8 nominations

    Videos2

    Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
    Trailer 1:30
    Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
    Bill Murray vs. Zombies? We're Dying for 'The Dead Don't Die'
    Clip 3:12
    Bill Murray vs. Zombies? We're Dying for 'The Dead Don't Die'

    Photos121

    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker and RZA in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
    Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Forest Whitaker
    Forest Whitaker
    • Ghost Dogas Ghost Dog
    Henry Silva
    Henry Silva
    • Ray Vargoas Ray Vargo
    John Tormey
    John Tormey
    • Louieas Louie
    Cliff Gorman
    Cliff Gorman
    • Sonny Valerioas Sonny Valerio
    Dennis Liu
    • Chinese Restaurant Owneras Chinese Restaurant Owner
    Frank Minucci
    • Big Angieas Big Angie
    Richard Portnow
    Richard Portnow
    • Handsome Frankas Handsome Frank
    Tricia Vessey
    Tricia Vessey
    • Louise Vargoas Louise Vargo
    Gene Ruffini
    • Old Consigliereas Old Consigliere
    Frank Adonis
    Frank Adonis
    • Valerio's Bodyguardas Valerio's Bodyguard
    Victor Argo
    Victor Argo
    • Vinnyas Vinny
    Damon Whitaker
    Damon Whitaker
    • Young Ghost Dogas Young Ghost Dog
    Kenny Guay
    • Boy in Windowas Boy in Window
    Vince Viverito
    • Johnny Morinias Johnny Morini
    Gano Grills
    • Gangsta in Redas Gangsta in Red
    Touché Cornel
    • Gangsta in Redas Gangsta in Red
    Jamie Hector
    Jamie Hector
    • Gangsta in Redas Gangsta in Red
    Chuck Jeffreys
    Chuck Jeffreys
    • Muggeras Mugger
    • Director
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Writer
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    A hitman who lives by the code of the samurai, works for the mafia and finds himself in their crosshairs when his recent job doesn't go according to plan. Now he must find a way to defend himself and his honor while retaining the code he lives by. —Scott Jarreau
    crime bosssamuraiafrican americanhitmanhonor310 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • All assassins live beyond the law... only one follows the code
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • K-16
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jim Jarmusch stated in an interview that he wrote the role of Ghost Dog specifically for Forest Whitaker, and if Whitaker hadn't taken the role, the film probably would not have been made.
    • Goofs
      Drains have traps, thus making it impossible to shoot someone through them.
    • Quotes

      Ghost Dog: There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

    • Crazy credits
      The second to last person thanked at the credits' close is Akira Kurosawa--the Japanese filmmaker who filmed one of the Ghost Dog's central texts, Rashomon.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Ice-Cream
      (instrumental mix)

      Written by R. Diggs and C. Woods

      Produced, mixed and arranged by RZA for Wu-Tang Productions, Inc.

      Published by Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc.

      On behalf of Ramecca Music and Wu-Tang Publishing (BMI)

      Featuring Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna and Raekwon

      Raekwon appears courtesy of Loud Records

    User reviews366

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A big surprise that really works
    Jim Jarmusch isn't exactly a household name when it comes to Hollywood directors. I don't know about other people, but personally I had heard of his name before, but certainly couldn't name any of his movies. Now that has changed. Since I've seen "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai" I'll try to see at least a couple of his other movies as well, because I really liked this one.

    "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai" is a quite unique movie. It tells the story of an African-American mafia hit-man in New York who lives by the rules of the Samurai, in simplicity and alone with his pigeons, who calls himself Ghost Dog and who is always faithful to his master, a local mobster who has saved his life several years ago. When the daughter of the local mob boss witnesses one of Ghost Dog's hits, he must die himself. The first victims are his birds and in response, Ghost Dog goes right at his attackers. He is lethal, but does not want to harm his master or the young woman. And while his life is in constant danger, the only people he ever has contact with are a little girl, with whom he discusses books, and a Haitian ice cream man who only speaks French and doesn't understand a word of what Ghost Dog tells him.

    I guess the best way to categorize this movie is to call it a mix of the movie "Léon", the Samurai code and hip-hop culture. Normally you would think that such a mix could never work, but this time it does. I admit that it certainly isn't a normal mix, but Jarmusch avoids the traps that would make this original and daring movie a complete waste of time and which would turn it into one unbelievable and unrealistic mess. I know it sounds strange, how can a movie that combines Italian, Japanese and hip-hop culture into one ever become one solid movie? Don't ask me, I don't even know how he came up with the idea, but it works and that's all that matters.

    This movie has several strong points. One is the way everything is told and shown, which make this a sober, but powerful movie. Especially with the quotes that are taken from the Way of the Samurai and that are voiced by Forest Whitaker, a solid base is formed. This helps you to understand why the man does what he does, why he lives his life like that and why he will always respect his master. If this hadn't been in the movie, I would probably not have liked it a bit. The other strong point is the acting. The mobsters look a bit stereotypical, but are well portrayed by people like Cliff Gorman, John Tormey, Richard Portnow,... but the best performance definitely comes from Forest Whitaker. Normally Whitaker plays the role of a good guy, like for instance Jody in "The Crying Game" or Captain Ramey in "Phone Boot" and it has to be said, he really has some talent for that kind of roles. But, as he proves with this movie, he is capable of a lot more. He plays the role of the samurai hit man, doesn't look like he's fit for that role at all (at least, I would never think of him when it comes to that role), but does it really very well.

    As a conclusion I would like to add that the sound track is also very nice. Normally I'm not too much a fan of hip hop in the movies, although I can appreciate it as a form of music on itself, but this time it really works. Add to this some nice acting, a cool and well-written story, some funny moments (like for instance a rapping mobster) and what you'll get is a movie that is fun and interesting to watch. I give it an 8/10.
    helpful•67
    20
    • philip_vanderveken
    • Jun 5, 2005

    FAQ1

    • What are the quotations from "The Book of the Samurai" in the order in which they appear in the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 2000 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Germany
      • United States
      • Japan
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Ghost Dog - Samuraiden tapaan
    • Filming locations
      • New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Pandora Filmproduktion
      • ARD (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland)
      • ARD Degeto Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,308,029
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $166,344
      • Mar 5, 2000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,380,473
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 56min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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