| Notable
Films |
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Kurosawa
(2001)
Adam Low's post-mortem documentary about Kurosawa.
At times amateurish and clunky, this scrapbook of
archive footage, journal entries, and interviews contains
many treasures about the Japanese director. |
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Hidden Fortress (1958)
Most will watch for its Star Wars' influence, but an enjoyable light-hearted film in its own right. Once again the real star of the film is Kurosawa's camera and storytelling technique. |
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Dreams
(1990)
The title accurately describes the film--a series
of eight short stories that literally come from the
director's dreams. Decidedly uneven, but remains a
"must see" for Kurosawa devotees. |
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Throne of Blood (1957)
More tightly constructed than Shakespeare's original story, Kurosawa presents an intriguing introduction to MacBeth while creating a true work of art that stands the test of time.. |
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Ran
(1985)
No one has ever painted a more wondrous landscape
on film with breathtaking battlescenes. Kurosawa's
grand adaptation of King Lear, set in feudal Japan
with competing war lords. |
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Seven Samurai (1954)
Invariably everyone's favorite Kurosawa film, it's a multi-layered character study that also works as a fine action film--all artistically photographed by Kurosawa's supreme team. |
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Kagemusha
(1980)
Playing on his anti-war humanitarian sensibilities,
Kurosawa explores the nature of power as he returns
to feudal Japan and the samurai film genre in another
beautifully photographed epic. |
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Ikiru (1952)
Kurosawa reminds us how short Life is, and how tenuous our existence in this powerful and intimate drama about a bureaucrat who seeks to find some meaning for his pitiful existence.. |
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Red
Beard (1965)
Beautiful black and white cinematography in characteristic
Kurosawa style and conveys his familiar themes of
redemption. His final "hero" film and the
last composed in black and white. |
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Rashomon (1950)
The film that introduced Kurosawa to the West. One of the best films in history and certainly among the most influential--a classic for telling and re-telling a story from differents points of view. |
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High
and Low (1963)
Penetrating study of modern Japanese society (early
1960s) that explores business loyalties and how they
may come in conflict with humanity. |
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Scandal (1950)
Toshirô Mifune and Takashi Shimura stand out in this little melodrama critical of popular fascination with paparrazi spun tabloid culture. |
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Sanjuro (1962)
Toshirô Mifune dominates this entertaining sequel to Yojimbo as a gruff, sly samurai who helps a clan of 9 inexperienced samurai determined to wipe out corruption. These two films inspired Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns. |
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The Quiet Duel (1949)
A young doctor contracts syphilis from a patient during wartime surgery. When he returns, he breaks off with his fiancee without explanation. |
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Yojimbo (1961)
Crossing the western genre with comedy, a highly entertaining samurai saga. A lightweight film that stands among Kurosawa's most humorous as the hero uses his wits even more than his sword. |
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One Wonderful Sunday (1947)
Poignant portrait of a young couple striving to cope with economic devastation in Tokyo after WWII, as they have only 35 yen between them for their weekly date. |
