dmakman Reviews

Toshiie to Matsu: Kaga hyakumangoku monogatari (2002– )

Shiny Happy People in Sengoku Period

[9/10 · 30 December 2019]

The more samurai movies I see, the more I find that the NHK Taiga Dramas are my favorites. They are consistently informative, are often well written and well acted. They also have, in part, the goal of teaching some history, so even the ones I don't like leave me feeling better educated than if I had not seen them.

In addition, I can count on NHK not to be too violent for my taste, and not to include inappropriate sexual content of the sort that mars so many of the older samurai movies.

With that in mind, this is one of the best Taiga Drama I have ever seen. The characters are well developed and the depiction of Maeda Toshiie's family and his friendship with Toyotomi Hideyoshi works well.

If you are going to spend your time watching a 50 part series, this is definitely one to watch. The stories are a touch on the "genki" side, by which I mean that they overstate the simple pleasures and happiness in life, but that can be overlooked as they have a smooth transition from public to private sphere and therefore give one both the historical highlights and a (probably unrealistic) look into the private lives of these important historical figures.

In addition, the names are relatively easy to follow. In some of the Taiga Drama the names of the characters in a family are so similar that I can't easily follow. That doesn't happen with this one.

Assassination (1964)

Beautifully Shot, Good Sword Fighting

[8/10 · 24 December 2019]

This is based on a true story -- Kiyokawa Hachiro actually existed and was an important figure in the events leading up to the Meiji Restoration. The story starts shortly after Commodore Perry and the Black Ships arrive in Japan.

This is a time of turmoil and many skilled warriors gathered in Kyoto. Kiyokawa Hachiro, who apparently had to leave Edo after killing someone, came to Kyoto and was working to organize the local Ronin to oppose the existing Shogunate.

The script is based on a bookd by Shiba Ryotaro, so one has to expect some rambling in the plot, and also his famous blend of his own fantasy and historical reality. The reference to II Naosuke at the beginning is helpful to place the story in context, and I was glad when it turned out that the movie was not, yet another, re-hash of the Sakuradamon incident. (That incident is masterfully covered in Okamoto Kihachi's Samurai Assassin, which stars Mifune Toshiro.) One of the other reviews characterizes it as a political thriller, and I like that characterization. More entertaining if you know something about the Meiji Restoration, but such knowledge is not a pre-requisite. And I think this one is a must-see if you are working your way through movies of the restoration.

Tanba Tetsuro, who is in so many Japanese movies, does a fabulous job here. The story reminded me of Gosha Hideo's movie Tenchu, also worth seaing, because both movies take place at the same time and have some similar elements.

As soon as the sign shows up that says "Teradaya", one expects a dramatic event, and it was fun to go on google and read about the Teradaya incident.

Overall, the story is well told, the photography, sets and costumers are fabulous, and this one is well worth seeing if one can find a copy. The flashback format keeps things interesting and build a picture of the man and his character. The kendo match near the beginning is a pleasure to watch.

Fine aesthetics throughout the film and I particularly loved the fish tank.