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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A matter of honor, swordplay and social dynamics, Nov 8 2005
Kobayashi's Samurai Rebellion is a lesson in the social heirarchy of feudal Japan during the Edo period. We open on some interesting camera-work that uses focus pulling and quick cutting to convey the sword mastery of our hero, Mifune's Isaburo. Through dialogue and the respect given to Isaburo from his colleagues, we derive that he is not a Samurai to be trifled with. In fact, there is very little swordplay throughout the film, with innuendo conveying the brilliance of Isaburo's skills. This lends much to the central story-line, which revolves around Isaburo's son being forced into marriage with a dismissed former mistress of the local ruler. When the ruler asks for her back after she has given birth to a daughter with her new husband, Isaburo is adamant that she stay with his family. Isaburo is finally driven to unsheath his sword at around the 3/4 mark; the final rebellion of a man who can only give so much in trying to appease the ruling class.Kobayashi uses the metaphor of the samurai to portray the plight of an honorable man who has been asked too much of his government. Much as the director's of the French New Wave used film to serve as a barometer of the 60's social climate, we can also see this element at play in the work of Japanese auteurs.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Heroic tragedy, Jan 10 2002
A classic heroic tragedy. Mifune's character is a samurai who has devoted his life to service and the samurai code. After admitting to himself that his lifelong devotion has left him unsatisfied, he observes the love of his son for his young wife and is deeply moved. He ultimately finds that he must uphold the redemptive value of love (whether of a man for his wife, a father for a son, or a friend for a friend), even against overwhelming odds. The samurai's defense of the meaning of life that he has found culminates with three of the most spectacular and dramatic action sequences I have ever seen in a film.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A great samurai drama., Dec 5 2001
Another great Mifune Toshiro movie and another great film by Kobayashi. Beautifully filmed with some incredible Mifune sword work as a climax. I thought this was almost on the same level as Harakiri but not quite. But still it's a powerful movie well worth watching and owning. If you like black and white samurai movies you must add this on to your collection.
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