Araki Mataemon: Kagiya no tsuji -
The famous showdown at Kagiya corner has been told many times, but never before
with the realism and intensity of this version. Scripted by Kurosawa Akira and
starring Mifune Toshiro as the famed swordsman who must face his best friend as
they are forced to take opposite sides in a vendetta caused by the murder of a
family member.
Told mostly in flashback as the avengers await the arrival of
their quarry, this film displays true heroism in the face of fear, as most of
the combatants, while of the Samurai class, are not skilled swordsmen. They
contrast sharply with the true warriors involved in this battle.
‘Vendetta of Samurai’ is an eye-opening look at what really
happens when frightened men with big swords find themselves up against it. Some
find courage, others lose heart, and some will invariably lose their lives. This
is one film that tells it like it is and doesn't sugar coat the stark
realities.
Features four of the Samurai from ‘Seven Samurai’:
Takashi Shimura, Toshiro Mifune, Daisuke Kato, and Minoru Chiaki, as well as the
rubberfaced old farmer Yohei Bokuzen.
WRITTEN BY: KUROSAWA AKIRA
STARRING: MIFUNE TOSHIRO, SHIMURA TAKASHI, HAMADA
YURIKO
1952 – JAPANESE with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES – B&W –
FULLSCREEN – 82 MINUTES
