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 Aug 12, 2006 18:49:09 GMT -5
Also known in English as Life of an Expert Swordsman or Samurai Saga.  I admit I could listen to Gerard Depardieu read stereo instructions and adore the 1990 Cyrano de Bergerac in which he starred. I have a soft spot for Roxanne (1987) because Steve Martin is just so freakin' brilliant, even though Darryl Hannah had all the appeal of a barely animate popsickle stick (there are other films I like her in, this was not one of them). Anyway, I stumbled across this marvelous movie on IFC's Samurai Saturdays feature this morning about 20 minutes in, so I missed the beginning. It's an adaptation of Cyrano, set in Japan right before the battle of Sekigahara (1603), and features Toshiro Mifune as Heihachiro Komaki, the irrepressible swordsman and poet with the prominent proboscis. The radiant Yoko Tsukasa, who made me think of Olivia DeHavilland, plays the Roxanne character, Lady Chiyo.  Japanese poetry is unrhymed and unmetrical, however, to convey Heihachiro's cleverness as a poet to a Western audience, the subtitles for his poetry are rhymed. I cannot vouch for how literal the translations are, but the effect was true to both the action and the Cyrano tradition. Yes. I geeked at the costumes. Heck, I wouldn't mine the green kosode her attendant wore in one scene. The riot of stripes, patterns and color worn by townspeople and samurai are a treat for the eyes. Damn. It's not coming up on Amazon.com. I have no idea if this has been released to video or DVD. If you happen upon it as I did, check it out. |
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Post by marten on Sept 19, 2006 0:07:05 GMT -5
Helllo Makiwara-san, You can get this movie in Asian/Australian format at the following URL. www.fbo.com.au/movie.asp?ID=26239If you have a DVD player which handles multiple formats you're good to go. Marten |
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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 Sept 19, 2006 0:17:27 GMT -5
I'm afraid my DVD player is US made and only plays Region 1.
However, I recently found a copy on eBay that was advertised as Region 1 compatible or my money back and I'm waiting for it to arrive.
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Post by marten on Feb 7, 2007 15:38:04 GMT -5
Also known in English as Life of an Expert Swordsman or Samurai Saga. I admit I could listen to Gerard Depardieu read stereo instructions and adore the 1990 Cyrano de Bergerac in which he starred. I have a soft spot for Roxanne (1987) because Steve Martin is just so freakin' brilliant, even though Darryl Hannah had all the appeal of a barely animate popsickle stick (there are other films I like her in, this was not one of them). Anyway, I stumbled across this marvelous movie on IFC's Samurai Saturdays feature this morning about 20 minutes in, so I missed the beginning. It's an adaptation of Cyrano, set in Japan right before the battle of Sekigahara (1603), and features Toshiro Mifune as Heihachiro Komaki, the irrepressible swordsman and poet with the prominent proboscis. The radiant Yoko Tsukasa, who made me think of Olivia DeHavilland, plays the Roxanne character, Lady Chiyo. Japanese poetry is unrhymed and unmetrical, however, to convey Heihachiro's cleverness as a poet to a Western audience, the subtitles for his poetry are rhymed. I cannot vouch for how literal the translations are, but the effect was true to both the action and the Cyrano tradition. Yes. I geeked at the costumes. Heck, I wouldn't mine the green kosode her attendant wore in one scene. The riot of stripes, patterns and color worn by townspeople and samurai are a treat for the eyes. Damn. It's not coming up on Amazon.com. I have no idea if this has been released to video or DVD. If you happen upon it as I did, check it out. Greetings all. This movie will replay on IFC on February 17th at 0800 ET. My Tivo is programmed. ifc.bside.com/schedule/?_view=_filmdetails&filmId=4033788&timezone=America/New_York&Marten |
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AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
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Post by AJBryant on Feb 7, 2007 18:17:59 GMT -5
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Post by solveig on Feb 9, 2007 2:15:56 GMT -5
Baron Edward!
You are evil! They carry Nemuri Kyoshiro films. My credit card is throbing.
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Post by solveig on Feb 9, 2007 2:27:14 GMT -5
Baron Edward!
GACK! You are even more evil than I thought. They have the 500th episode of that hoary soba opera "Abarenbo Shogun"!
Noble Cousins!
Baron Edward is a very Evil Man! Lord Voldermort doesn't stand a chance by comparison.
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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 Feb 9, 2007 9:25:17 GMT -5
Baron Edward is a very Evil Man! Lord Voldermort doesn't stand a chance by comparison. Geez, what was your first clue?  I'm disappointed because I couldn't find ANY Mizoguchi. More of this director's stuff needs to be on DVD! |
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AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
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Post by AJBryant on Feb 19, 2007 13:19:07 GMT -5
 Effingham |
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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 24, 2011 21:19:25 GMT -5
Bumping this old thread, primarily for Kimiko-hime's benefit, as the opening scene involves a performance by Okuni which Heihachiro tries to stop, setting in motion a wonderful sword fight with patrons of the outdoor theatre as Heihachiro declaims poetry.
The good news is that you can now find this movie under the title "Samurai Saga" on Hulu.com
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Lady Kimiko
New Member
I'm busy making tea bowls these days.
Posts: 276 
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Post by Lady Kimiko on Jul 24, 2011 22:20:05 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
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jul 24, 2011 22:23:31 GMT -5
Oh my fluttering heart...be still! Ah, but will you still be thanking me as the cherry blossoms fall and Heihachiro dies at the feet of the woman he has loved all his life? (Need to watch this again now. Such a wonderful movie!) |
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