Samurai Film Discussion

[Zombie Yojimbo]

My first thread here, so I am sorry if it is a topic already.....Surprised it isn't.

This thread is to discuss your love of samurai film, television, and culture. It's relationship to western cinema and influence on many films and film makers today!
Let the discussions begin!

satsuma-samurai-during-boshin-war-period.jpg

[strtfghtr]

As i mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of the Zatoichi movie series, i have all of em on dvd and have been thinking of picking up the tv series though i hear theyre just rehashed stories from films.

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[Edo]

I also happen to be a fan of the Harakiri remake and its original. I think the hardcore fans of the original treated it way too harshly. Obviously it's not as good as the original, but it's a damn good movie. I think Takashi Miike should make more samurai movies! This and 13 Assassins were my two favorites of his many films.
I had only heard of the 2003 version of Zatoichi but will definitely have to check out all of them.

[Zombie Yojimbo]

As i mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of the Zatoichi movie series, i have all of em on dvd and have been thinking of picking up the tv series though i hear theyre just rehashed stories from films.

Some of my favorite Samurai movies for sure! I have watched all 26 full length films, and I am not quite sure about the t.v. series. Don't think I have seen the television series.

When you say rehashed do you mean they just recut the films to be shorter for television? Or just re-telling of some of the same stories? Because, I feel like most Zatoichi plots are very similar.....kind of like the old Mighty Hercules cartoon. Zatoichi shows up in a new town......gets caught up in some local feud......does some gambling......gives some massages and finds out key plot points..........solves towns problem......moves on......lol

[Zombie Yojimbo]

I also happen to be a fan of the Harakiri remake and its original. I think the hardcore fans of the original treated it way too harshly. Obviously it's not as good as the original, but it's a damn good movie. I think Takashi Miike should make more samurai movies! This and 13 Assassins were my two favorites of his many films.
I had only heard of the 2003 version of Zatoichi but will definitely have to check out all of them.

I thought the Harakiri remake was done out of out most respect and he in no way shit on the original. (which is one of my faves of course)
I would leave watching the 2003 Zatoichi until you've seen all the original titles. IMO
They made 26 of them spanning from 1962 through to 1989. And, I feel like a fan boy sometimes for saying this, but each one of those films is full of heart. Not a bad one amongst them. My least favorite is Zatoichi meets Yojimbo....I get why they made it, but it is just the one that stands out amongst the rest.

[Edo]

I thought the Harakiri remake was done out of out most respect and he in no way shit on the original. (which is one of my faves of course)
I would leave watching the 2003 Zatoichi until you've seen all the original titles. IMO
They made 26 of them spanning from 1962 through to 1989. And, I feel like a fan boy sometimes for saying this, but each one of those films is full of heart. Not a bad one amongst them. My least favorite is Zatoichi meets Yojimbo....I get why they made it, but it is just the one that stands out amongst the rest.

Wow, 26! I should get on it then; sounds like the Godzilla of samurai movies!

[Zombie Yojimbo]

Wow, 26! I should get on it then; sounds like the Godzilla of samurai movies!

Hahaha, yeah! Definitely. I'd have to say better story lines and characters. lol I tend to be biased, though.

[strtfghtr]

When you say rehashed do you mean they just recut the films to be shorter for television? Or just re-telling of some of the same stories? Because, I feel like most Zatoichi plots are very similar.....kind of like the old Mighty Hercules cartoon. Zatoichi shows up in a new town......gets caught up in some local feud......does some gambling......gives some massages and finds out key plot points..........solves towns problem......moves on......lol

I haven't seen the TV series either, but from what I hear it might be a little of both re-cuts and re-tellings of the stories. I completely agree on the films being of a similar plot progression on each. They're like episodes of Macgyver, you know that eventually Mac is going to get trapped and have to make some crazy device to get him and "the girl" out but you just want to see how he does it and why. Same thing with Zatoichi.

The films are definitely all heart, there are so many heart crushing moments (especially in the first 5 or 6 movies that follow a closer progression) where he's forced to say good bye to loved ones and continue on his journey alone. Damn I love those movies, I'm going to start watching them again haha.

I had a topic on Zatoichi going, I'll have to see if I can dig that up.

[strtfghtr]

Found it:
http://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/...Zatoichi-Films

[Zombie Yojimbo]

Excellent! I'll be posting in there when I start watching them again! It's happening soon.

[Splat]

Have fond memories of Shogun Assassin growing up and have a copy of it on DVD due to this. Understand purest don't like this splicing of two movies but you know that is cool.

As for 13 Assassins that was an awesome film.

[BigFatOgre]

13 assassins was great!

[FrighT MasteR]

Really dug Takeshi Kitano's adaptation of Zatoichi Also thought the female version, Ichi, was good as well. Need to finish watching Hara-Kiri and The Last Ronin though

[Zombie Yojimbo]

An upcoming project I recently found out about:

http://screenrant.com/unforgiven-rem...-ken-watanabe/
Seems like it is going to be pretty good!

[Inspector Tequila]

What Samurai movies do you guys recommend? Which ones are the best?

[Zombie Yojimbo]

What Samurai movies do you guys recommend? Which ones are the best?

This should be a list every samurai fan should check out:

Seven Samurai
Yojimbo
Sanjuro
Chushingura
Harakiri
Ran
Kagemusha
Throne Of Blood
3 outlaw Samurai
Zatoichi (all of them - 26)
Samurai Trilogy
KILL!
Lone Wolf and Cub (entire series)
Goyokin
Samurai Rebellion
The Hidden Blade
Samurai Assassin
Sword of the Beast
Samurai Spy
The Hidden Fortress
Rashomon

These are off the top of my head....probably missing a few.

[Splat]

Kagemusha

I own this, will watch soon.