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Kurosawa, eh? Help me out here.

Kurosawa, eh? Help me out here.

 
Old 06-12-04, 10:25 PM
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Kurosawa, eh? Help me out here.

Ok, I'm a huge movie fan, and I usually enjoy movies that make me think a bit, or have a really great epic storyline. I've heard his movies do both things, and do them well.

Where should I start?

I've bought 2 of his movies on another forum, Hidden Fortress CC and Dreams for $30 together, so I'll have those.

What else should I try? And how should I watch them(ie what order).

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Old 06-12-04, 10:28 PM
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High and Low is my favorite. . .Though it is a bit pricey for it's lack of extras and nonanamorphic transfer. But the film itself is top notch.

After that I would recommend the obvious Seven Samurai. TRULY a movie as good as everyone says. Some of Kurosawa's other movies have let me down, such as Throne of Blood and Ran, but Seven Samurai owns.

I also recommend Yojimbo. Very good movie.

EDIT: just so you know, High and Low is a contemporary detective film, so don't expect a samurai flick.
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Old 06-12-04, 10:38 PM
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There are so many, but I happen to love Red Beard and Seven Samurai.
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Old 06-12-04, 11:40 PM
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Originally posted by Brak55
There are so many, but I happen to love Red Beard and Seven Samurai.
These are the exact two I would recommend first as well. Red Beard to make you think and Seven Samurai for the obvious epic story.
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Old 06-12-04, 11:59 PM
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Originally posted by theneobez
Some of Kurosawa's other movies have let me down, such as Throne of Blood and Ran, but Seven Samurai owns.
If nothing else (and there is more...), Ran is the definition of the use of color in a movie.
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Old 06-13-04, 12:02 AM
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Don't miss Sanjuro.
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Old 06-13-04, 01:11 AM
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Aside from what everyone else is posting. Watch Throne of Blood, its my favorite Kurosawa film.
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Old 06-13-04, 01:14 AM
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Ikiru! Although it's certainly not an epic, it's a masterpiece.
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Old 06-13-04, 01:16 AM
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And I second Throne of Blood.

In fact, for a Kurosawa beginner, a combination of Throne of Blood, Ikiru, and Seven Samurai would be a good introduction.
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Old 06-13-04, 04:57 AM
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I really liked Ran and thought it was his masterpiece. The story is based on Shakespeare's King Lear so it's a tragedy which doesn't resolve itself in a particularly satisfying way like Seven Samurai but the battle scenes and scope of the picture are the definition of epic. Yojimbo and Sanjuro aren't as thought provoking but are both humorous and fun to watch.
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Old 06-13-04, 10:04 AM
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I would personally start with a combination of his outstanding movies that reflect different types of genres:

1. Seven Samurai
2. High and Low
3. Ikiru

All 3 are truly OUTSTANDING movies and must owns.
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Old 06-13-04, 10:12 AM
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I agree with all the posts so far. Don't miss Rashomon,another classic.
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Old 06-13-04, 10:30 AM
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Not to be the grain go-against-er (ok, that made no sense) but I really didn't like Seven Samurai that much. After all the hype, it just didn't live up, and I felt it could have been shorted by a good 45 minutes or so. With that being said, every other Kurosawa film I've seen has been a masterpeice, and he is my favorite director of all-time.

My favorites:

1. Throne of Blood
2. Stray Dog
3. Yojimbo
4. Rashomon
5. High & Low
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Old 06-13-04, 10:36 AM
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My top three would be:

1) High & Low (if you don't like the bang for the buck on this one, try and rent.)
2) Rashomon
3) Seven Samurai

Yojimbo is also good.
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Old 06-13-04, 10:51 AM
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Kurosawa is the frickin master...no one has ever been better at making movies...

My favorites are Red Beard, Ikiru, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood, and Seven Samurai.

But their all amazing!
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Old 06-13-04, 12:26 PM
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Many of you are naming your favorite Kurosawa film, and that's great, but the thread starter asked what film would be the best introduction to his work.

Frankly I don't think either of the films that Thunderball bought are good introductions to Kurosawa. Hidden Fortress is not his most tightly plotted or his best action, and Dreams, while certainly a masterpiece, is better appreciated once you've seen the master's early films.

I recomend Rashoman or Seven Samurai as really the only proper way to begin your Kurosawa viewing. They are his best, most tightly plotted, most accessable films.
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Old 06-13-04, 12:39 PM
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I wouldn't call Rashomon accessible, that's why I didn't include it in my list of good Kurosawa beginner films. I almost did, but it's a film which requires a lot of thought and understanding of Kurosawa's technique to fully appreciate. I would recommend the ones with more straightforward narratives for a viewer new to his work.
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Old 06-13-04, 01:10 PM
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Yojimbo and Seven Samuria would be a great place to start.
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Old 06-13-04, 01:37 PM
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Thanks everyone.

Thanks Pants. I didn't plan on watching them quite yet, I just saw a pretty good deal and figured I'd grab em while I could .

I'll start with Seven Samurai I guess and go from there.
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Old 06-13-04, 02:03 PM
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Seven Samurai is the one I started with...so go with that...
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Old 06-13-04, 02:16 PM
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"The Seven Samurai," as others said, is a wonderful introduction. "Rashomon" is essential viewing as well.

But another great Kurosawa/Mifune film -- one that takes place in modern-day Tokyo -- is "The Bad Sleep Well." I believe Criterion's coming out with a DVD of it sometime soon. It also has the added benefit of being one of the most cynical movies ever made -- right up there with Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" (which also needs a DVD release).
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Old 06-13-04, 02:24 PM
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I disagree with SEVEN SAMURAI --- based purley on the length --- most everyone i've spoken with has felt it was too long, and therefore not the best way to be introducted to Kurosawa's work. That being said, I know SS has its faithful followers who believe it's the greatest action/adventure film EVER [Many of the afformentioned are die hard Kurosawa fans], so I'd recommend SS only after one's seen his other works, most notably RASHAMON, then YOJIMBO. I've yet to find anyone speak negativly about these two; they are great films everyone, no matter what their movie tastes may be, and therefore make a great starting point.
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Old 06-13-04, 06:03 PM
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My first Kurosawa film was Rashomon, and I have been hooked ever since.
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Old 06-13-04, 06:14 PM
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Your best bet is to enroll with Netflix, if you are not a member already, and start putting Kurosawa movies in your queue. They're all great and you will have your personal favorites.

Rashomon, Ran, Ikiru, and Dreams were my early exposure to Kurosawa and I remembered being stunned learning that the same diretor made all four of these excellent movies of different genres.
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Old 06-13-04, 06:22 PM
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Is there such a thing as a BAD Kurosawa movie? I haven't seen it yet
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