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Post by Xiao Mei on May 16, 2005 9:34:02 GMT -5
Nihao,
I want to recommend a movie that I first saw in 1993. It is called 'Heaven and Earth" in the USA or "Ten to Chi to" in Japan. It is a stunning visual poem from beginning to end. The costumes are gorgous, the warfare is sad and glorious and the scenery seems like a dream. This movie is a feast for lovers of Japanese culture, and it has recently become available on dvd.
Warlords Kagetora and Takeda each wish to prevent the other from gaining hegemony in feudal Japan. The two samurai leaders pursue one another across the countryside, engaging in massive battles of calvalry and infantry. Younger and idealistic, Takeda must find the strength to be as brutal as his opponent. His struggles to keep his ideals in an imperfect world are touching.
The plot:
This film takes place in 16th century feudal Japan. The Shogun has lost control and local lords are fighting for control. Takeda is older, more brutal - his goal is to conquer, and then rule the nation. Kagetora is young, a kindly ruler who takes a vow to protect his land from any aggressor. He's in love with his advisor's daughter and they have a bittersweet love in spite of his oath of celibacy. Kagetora & Takeda are total opposites and so must eventually fight.
I recommend it highly.
Zai Jian,
Liu Xiao Mei
Sigh, I would love to have some of that green tack for a horse!
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Post by Otagiri Tatsuzou on May 16, 2005 11:41:29 GMT -5
Welcome Lady Xiao Mei! I love this movie. I spent some time in Japan tracking down a copy of the DVD only to be stopped by its $80 price tag. I know that it's history and plot are weak ... but it is just so damn pretty! It's my wife's favorite Japanese film. Hey! I bet eBay's gotta copy. NOTES: (1) This film is NOT "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" (of which ebay has a couple of dozen). (2) Kadokawa put out two versions of Heaven and Earth on DVD in Japan. This one, the "international" version, has bridging narration in English to explain some events and English subs; the "domestic" version runs 20 minutes longer (most of it battle scenes), has no English, and is apparently no less edifying. www.thegline.com/dvd-of-the-week/2005/01-05-2005.htm |
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Saionji Shonagon
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One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on May 16, 2005 19:36:12 GMT -5
To eBay Asian film shoppers, be sure to read the seller's info careful. You may end up with a version for a country/region that is incompatible with your DVD player if you don't know what you're looking for.
I have a perfectly lovely copy of "Twilight Samurai" which I acquired on eBay. All the menus are in Chinese, which makes setting up the DVD to play in Japanese with English subtitles a bit of a challenge. ;->
Nor is it the Oliver Stone film about Viet Nam.
It does occasionally turn up on cable, usually at obscure hours....
M.
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Post by Masahide on Jun 3, 2005 15:50:20 GMT -5
Konnichi wa. I ordered this version: cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6375843659&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V$15, and it was the "International" version with English bridges, and subtitles. Works fine in my machine, and I believe he gives a refund (minus shipping) if it won't work on your DVD player. Xiao Mei first introduced me to this, but she only had a Japanese language, Chinese subtitle copy. I found this version, and got both her and myself a copy. We are both very happy with them. |
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Post by Otagiri Tatsuzou on Jun 3, 2005 18:09:55 GMT -5
I got my copy from 'bobbyguitars' just this week. Watching it reminded me a bit of the 2hour Shogun. Choppy. Choppy. Choppy. But very cool for fabric and armour.
Unfortunately my 'bobbyguitars' bootlleg of Samurai Banners is unplayable. Hoping to get a new one soon.
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Post by Xiao Mei on Jun 27, 2005 9:54:17 GMT -5
You've got to be careful with things you buy from ebay all right! My first copy of Ten to Chi to was listed as "Japanese with subtitles..." Unfortunately the subtitles were in CHINESE. Funny, but a bit discouraging!  } |
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 27, 2005 17:19:29 GMT -5
Have you tried exploring the menu? My copy of "Twilight Samurai" did that, but a bit of clicking around the menu resulted in the Japanese with English subtitles version.
M.
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Post by Masahide on Jul 6, 2005 23:31:04 GMT -5
Konban wa!
I have been watching this over the last couple of days. As far as I can tell it is pretty accurate for the time period (internal reference dates it to 1555-1560 or so).
The clothing looks accurate, at least for men, as far as I can tell, but most of the women that you get close ups on (other than armored and riding) don't wear Hakama at all... was this normal by this point? I was under the impression that this was a later style originating in early to mid Edo period. Any thoughts anyone?
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jul 7, 2005 8:19:35 GMT -5
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Post by Masahide on Jul 7, 2005 15:33:16 GMT -5
Konnichi wa. Arigato Gosaimasu! So, given that the clothing looks pretty accurate, what does everyone who has seen this think of the other aspects of the film from a period perspective (i.e. armor, weapon use, "set dressing" such as stools, windscreens, etc)? Do you think this would be a good film to use to see "the whole picture" and base camp and other projects off of? I'm not suggesting this would replace primary sources, but do you think it might be a good source for ideas and "camp dressing" type things or as a starting point for further research? |
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AJBryant
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甲冑師 katchuu-shi
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Post by AJBryant on Jul 23, 2005 19:50:29 GMT -5
My take is that the film is total shite. Especially anything having to do with the teppo-tai -- from the bogus little shields to the masks meant to hide the fact that they were all Canadian college students, many of 'em women.
If you want to get a good look at sengoku technology and camps and so on, get Ran or Kagemusha.
Effingham
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Saionji Shonagon
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One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Dec 6, 2005 20:52:43 GMT -5
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Dec 6, 2005 23:08:39 GMT -5
Except for the soundtrack. I just screened this again, having discovered it was on by chance and, eww. I guess after hiring a cast of thousands, they could only afford a monkey with a synthesizer to score the thing. No, wait, that's an insult - to monkeys. On an interesting, odd tangential side note, the soundtrack of "Master and Commander" includes a cut called "The Battle." There was so much ambient cannon fire and other FX sounds it's not noticiable when you're watching the film, however, when heard on it's own, it sounds like a taiko dojo on the rampage. Sound sample available at: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DG07D/103-9040776-3211023?v=glance&n=5174She who has eclectic musical tastes |
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Post by dianet on Aug 3, 2008 19:39:03 GMT -5
And thanks to the wisdom of the beautiful Makiwara-Hime, I found this thread. *offering a bow to her* I kept catching glimpses of this movie on Showtime recently and I need to make sure I record it for future watching. *sigh* What I did see looked pretty fantastic.
But that's just me and my wierd taste in movies.
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