Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Chinese Jade (1963) User Reviews

Pretty good, but amazingly talky...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 6 September 2009]

This is the first of the Sleepy Eyes of Death series and the first of the series that I have seen. Because I haven't seen the rest of the films, it's not possible for me to compare and contrast it--which I'll try to do after I see others in the series.

The reason I chose to watch this film is that I love Japanese films and had seen all of the Zatoichi films. I was looking for some other series and in many ways, this seemed like a natural. Unlike the similar Zatoichi films, Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) plays a guy who just seems really bored with life--underplaying EVERYTHING in the film and under-emoting throughout--plus this swordsman can actually see (a minor plus, I must add). Like Zatoichi, he's a good guy, absolutely amazing with the sword and is tired of needless killing.

Because Nemuri is so good with the sword, two rival sides want to bring them into their fight to help their side win. However, even though Nemuri is a ronin (i.e., a samurai who has no master and as a result, no money), he is slow to get in the middle of things. Eventually, he learns that both sides really do suck--so he chooses a middle path. This brings him to a woman who falls in love with him--and you know that it's destined to fail--just like Zatoichi.

The action is pretty good and the story not bad, though the film really suffers for two reasons. First, with Nemuri so emotionally constricted in the film, his personality really is lacking and cold. Second, the plot is way too talky. Again and again, the major characters seem to sit and talk and talk and talk. By the time the big "boss battle" comes at the end of the film, it's about time!! Speeding the film up a bit would have really helped.

Perhaps the next installment will be better. However, I don't think the film was nearly as poor as the other reviews seem to indicate--it is quite watchable for fans of samurai films. It just could stand improvement--a little punching up, so to speak.

The First Film in the Series

[jrd_73 · 6/10 · 7 August 2018]

I watched a handful of Kyoshiro Nemuri films in the late 1990's. All but one of the films were in Japanese without subtitles. Not understanding Japanese, I was a little lost on plots, but I tended to like the colorful Gothic atmosphere and the action scenes. I never did view the first film in the series, The Chinese Jade, because I had heard that it was heavy on plot and light on action. While true, The Chinese Jade still stands as a decent first entry in the series, although probably more of interest to fans than casual viewers.

Kyoshiro Nemuri is a half breed ronin with contempt for humankind. However, in the first film, he is more of a likable scoundrel. After a group of ninjas try to kill him in the pre-credit sequence, he is approached by Chisa, a beautiful woman who wants to hire him as a bodyguard. Her reasons are vague, but Nemuri agrees out of curiosity. Soon after he is approached by Chen Sun, a would-be challenger whose fists are deadly weapons. Chen Sun has aligned himself with a former smuggler who has a jade statue hidden away that contains evidence of a clan leader's involvement in the smuggling operation. This leader is the one who sent Chisa to Nemuri. Thus, Nemuri is caught between corrupt leaders and vicious smugglers. At first it appears that no one is innocent, but gradually Nemuri comes to realize that Chisa is just an unhappy pawn being used by both sides, much like both sides want to use him.

The Chinese Jade is a watchable samurai film. There are a couple of good, but certainly not outstanding, action scenes. Ichikawa Raizo is fine as Nemuri. I liked seeing Tomisaburo Wakayama (Itto Ogami in the Lone Wolf and Cub films) as Chen Sun. Nemrui's impressive signature move (The Full Moon Cut) is used twice. The film has the usual solid production values that were lavished on period films in the early 1960's. However, The Chinese Jade does not stand out enough from other samurai adventures; it is just okay. Those new to the Kyoshiro Nemuri films should probably not start with this entry.

Light but still entertaining

[Angel_Peter · 7/10 · 3 May 2017]

Story is about a somewhat cold and cynical ronin that is attempted killed by one part in a struggle and attempted hired by the other part. Well and then the bodies starts dropping all over :-)

It is not a fast paced action movie but you will not miss anything either if your brain is temporary on stand-by.

When you watch this you will not be amazed by the acting. but it is fine as light fluff.

I would not recommend this movie to everyone. But if you like Japanese movies with some slashing then it may be for you. I was well entertained and look forward to seeing the next one in the series.

Not so good first episode in a long running series

[deadjoe · 12 August 2001]

Nemury Kyoshiro was one of the most well know chanbara series in Japan. With Raizo Ishikawa who died at 37 years old.

I have a huge deception when i see this movie. When you compare with the first Zatoichi or another chanbara of the time, you find this one very boring. But unlike other series like James Bond or Zatoichi for example, the better have to come.

Watch for the other. As the series evolve, the film are better. (sorry for my bad english)

Rather slow and cliched

[BigGuy · 3/10 · 9 June 1999]

I found this movie to be rather slow going and quite cliched. The lead character was suppose to be a loose cannon ronin, but no explanation or development was given. Other characters seemed to come and go from the story as needed to fill in the gaps, with no closure with any except those who die. As for the fight scenes, which often make up for the cliches in the typical action-type movie... well they were sadly lacking in this. The typical fight was the ninjas charging with swords raised over head and then they get killed. No fencing, just slaughter of ninjas. Save your time and see a good samurai film.