“Kagemusha” is one of the best films Akira Kurosawa ever shot and is considered one of the definite masterpieces of world cinema. However, its production was one of the most difficult accomplishments in the master's filmography. Initially, the film was not considered financially viable, and it took the influence of both George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola to get additional funds for it to be completed, since Toho, the initial production company, had given up on the film. However, the problems continued during the shooting, with probably the most significant being that Kurosawa had to replace Shintaro Katsu, who was originally cast as Takeda Shingen, with Tatsuya Nakadai, after the two of them had a falling out. The production faced many additional problems, but Kurosawa eventually managed to complete the movie, with its premiere taking place in Tokyo. His struggles, however, paid off, since “Kagemusha” was a huge hit both critically and financially.
- 2/27/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
If anybody’s dreams are interesting, Akira Kurosawa’s should be, and this late career fantasy is a consistently rewarding string of morality tales and visual essays that pop off the screen. Some of the imagery has input from the famed Ishiro Honda.
Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 842
1990 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 120 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 15, 2016 / 39.95
Starring Mieko Harada, Mitsunori Isaki, Toshihiko Nakano, Yoshitaka Zushi, Hisashi Igawa, Chosuke, Chishu Ryu, Martin Scorsese, Masayuki Yui.
Cinematography Takao Saito, Shoji Ueda
Film Editor Tome Minami
Original Music Sinichiro Ikebe
Creative Consultant ishiro Honda
Visual Effects Supervisors Ken Ralston, Mark Sullivan
Produced by Hisao Kurosawa, Mike Y. Inoue
Written and Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
At the twilight of his career, after some episodes of career frustration and instability, Akira Kurosawa hit a high note with the epic costume dramas Kagemusha and Ran.
Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 842
1990 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 120 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 15, 2016 / 39.95
Starring Mieko Harada, Mitsunori Isaki, Toshihiko Nakano, Yoshitaka Zushi, Hisashi Igawa, Chosuke, Chishu Ryu, Martin Scorsese, Masayuki Yui.
Cinematography Takao Saito, Shoji Ueda
Film Editor Tome Minami
Original Music Sinichiro Ikebe
Creative Consultant ishiro Honda
Visual Effects Supervisors Ken Ralston, Mark Sullivan
Produced by Hisao Kurosawa, Mike Y. Inoue
Written and Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
At the twilight of his career, after some episodes of career frustration and instability, Akira Kurosawa hit a high note with the epic costume dramas Kagemusha and Ran.
- 11/21/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Stars: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryû, Mieko Harada, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Hisashi Igawa, Masayuki Yui, Kazuo Katô, Norio Matsui | Written by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Masato Ide | Directed by Akira Kurosawa
When aging warlord Hidetori Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides it is time for him to retire, he divides the lands he rules between his three sons. This causes a bitter power struggle between his eldest sons, and his youngest being banished for his warning of the impending doom. As the reality of retirement his Ichimonji war breaks out, with the banished son being the only one who could possibly save his father from the warring brothers.
Ran starts off showing the epic landscape of Japan, teasing at what to expect from the film, and this location is used to full effect in the film. There are many huge battles that feel truly impressive, but the real magic is...
When aging warlord Hidetori Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides it is time for him to retire, he divides the lands he rules between his three sons. This causes a bitter power struggle between his eldest sons, and his youngest being banished for his warning of the impending doom. As the reality of retirement his Ichimonji war breaks out, with the banished son being the only one who could possibly save his father from the warring brothers.
Ran starts off showing the epic landscape of Japan, teasing at what to expect from the film, and this location is used to full effect in the film. There are many huge battles that feel truly impressive, but the real magic is...
- 5/8/2016
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Staggering battle sequences, thrones of blood and the spirit of Macbeth are abroad in one of the greatest screen adaptations of Shakespeare
The re-release of Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 epic Ran (the word means “chaos”) is an opportunity to see this stunning free transformation of King Lear, one of the great screen adaptations of Shakespeare. Perhaps it was the defamiliarising effect of Kurosawa’s film which, for me, opened up the meaning of Lear: a kind of human arrogance and self-importance which, in the face of mortality, needs to believe the world will be a divided and diminished thing when we are gone.
As well as Lear, Ran draws on the dark spirit of Macbeth, with its images of a scheming wife, a throne of blood and massed soldiery: fatally misleading and ominous, as in Dunsinane. After a lifetime of brutal rule, ageing feudal lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) tells his three...
The re-release of Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 epic Ran (the word means “chaos”) is an opportunity to see this stunning free transformation of King Lear, one of the great screen adaptations of Shakespeare. Perhaps it was the defamiliarising effect of Kurosawa’s film which, for me, opened up the meaning of Lear: a kind of human arrogance and self-importance which, in the face of mortality, needs to believe the world will be a divided and diminished thing when we are gone.
As well as Lear, Ran draws on the dark spirit of Macbeth, with its images of a scheming wife, a throne of blood and massed soldiery: fatally misleading and ominous, as in Dunsinane. After a lifetime of brutal rule, ageing feudal lord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) tells his three...
- 3/31/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Predators
Extras include:
Commentary by producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród AntalMotion ComicsMoments of ExtractionCrucifiedEvolution of the Species: Predators RebornThe ChosenFox Movie Channel presents Making a SceneDeleted and Extended ScenesTheatrical Trailer
Apocalypse Now (Full Disclosure Edition) Blu-ray
Extras include:
Apocalypse Now - original 1979 CutApocalypse Now ReduxCommentary for both versions"A Conversation with Martin Sheen" interview by Francis Ford Coppola"An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford CoppolaComplete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film FestivalMonkey Sampan "lost scene"Additional Scenes"Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola"The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poemThe Birth of 5.1 SoundGhost Helicopter Flyover sound effects demonstrationA Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse NowThe Music of Apocalypse NowHeard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse NowThe Final MixApocalypse Then and NowThe Color Palette...
Extras include:
Commentary by producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród AntalMotion ComicsMoments of ExtractionCrucifiedEvolution of the Species: Predators RebornThe ChosenFox Movie Channel presents Making a SceneDeleted and Extended ScenesTheatrical Trailer
Apocalypse Now (Full Disclosure Edition) Blu-ray
Extras include:
Apocalypse Now - original 1979 CutApocalypse Now ReduxCommentary for both versions"A Conversation with Martin Sheen" interview by Francis Ford Coppola"An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford CoppolaComplete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film FestivalMonkey Sampan "lost scene"Additional Scenes"Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola"The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poemThe Birth of 5.1 SoundGhost Helicopter Flyover sound effects demonstrationA Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse NowThe Music of Apocalypse NowHeard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse NowThe Final MixApocalypse Then and NowThe Color Palette...
- 10/19/2010
- by josh@reelartsy.com (Joshua dos Santos)
- Reelartsy
Chicago – Of all the cinematic variations on Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” is one of the few that, dare I say, improves on the Bard’s original blueprint.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Kurosawa’s vision of Lear is not merely that of an aging warlord undone by his own foolishness, but a ruthless warrior haunted by the countless lives he destroyed during his reign. His fate is anything but undeserved, and seems inspired by classic tragedies more Greek than Shakespearian.
“Ran” may be a devastating experience, but it also proves to be an uplifting one for anyone moved by watching a master filmmaker in peak form. It was an extraordinary triumph for the seventy-five-year-old Kurosawa, battling near-blindness in order to see his decade-old dream project through to its completion.
After a series of professional and personal setbacks, the filmmaker was widely considered to be washed-up, and “Ran” did not receive...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Kurosawa’s vision of Lear is not merely that of an aging warlord undone by his own foolishness, but a ruthless warrior haunted by the countless lives he destroyed during his reign. His fate is anything but undeserved, and seems inspired by classic tragedies more Greek than Shakespearian.
“Ran” may be a devastating experience, but it also proves to be an uplifting one for anyone moved by watching a master filmmaker in peak form. It was an extraordinary triumph for the seventy-five-year-old Kurosawa, battling near-blindness in order to see his decade-old dream project through to its completion.
After a series of professional and personal setbacks, the filmmaker was widely considered to be washed-up, and “Ran” did not receive...
- 4/19/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Based on the late Ernest Gordon's 1962 book "Through the Valley of the Kwai" and directed with passion by David L. Cunningham, the $14 million "To End All Wars" tells the true World War II story of Gordon, an English prisoner of war who survived harsh treatment from the Japanese while laboring to build a railroad in the jungles of Burma-Siam (now Myanmar and Thailand).
An ensemble effort that recalls other great POW movies, "Wars" boasts many superb performances, starting with Ciaran McMenamin as Gordon, a member of a proud Scottish regiment that includes the uncompromising Col. McLean (James Cosmo) and fiery Maj. Campbell (Robert Carlyle). These three find themselves in a jungle camp loosely guarded but brutally run by Sgt. Ito (Sakae Kimura), who is assisted by noncombatant translator Takashi Nagase (Yugo Saso).
Barely kept alive, with malnutrition, disease and death all around, the prisoners are ordered to build a railroad in 18 months -- the same project that occupied the characters in the classic "The Bridge on the River Kwai". McLean does not survive a confrontation with Ito, and the role of prisoner leadership passes on to volatile Campbell.
The film does a less than perfect job of showing the passing of time, and the eventual revolt of Carlyle's raging character -- resulting in vicious killings and reprisals -- seems a bit tacked on. However, "Wars" is quite successful at showing how Gordon and less warlike companions like Dusty Miller (Mark Strong) use their minds and Christian faith to bend rather than break under the Japanese system of Bushido.
Gordon's relationship with Nagase also provides some relief from the humiliation, torture and summary executions of Ito. Along with Kimura's fierce performance, which amazingly does a lot to humanize the Japanese, veterans Shu Nakajima ("Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"), as the army official in charge of the railroad project, and Masayuki Yui ("Ran"), as the commander of the prison camp, have memorable scenes.
Evoking Steve McQueen and William Holden, Kiefer Sutherland is quite good in the lone American role. He transforms from a rogue bent on escape to a cowered, servile version of his former self after nearly dying from torture.
TO END ALL WARS
Argyll Film Partners in association with
Pray for Rain Pictures and Gumshoe Prods.
Credits: Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: Brian Godawa
Based on the book by: Ernest Gordon
Producers: David L. Cunningham, Jack Hafer, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Greg Newman, Scott Walchek
Director of photography: Greg Gardiner
Production designer: Paul Sylbert
Editor: Tim Silano
Costume designers: Tamra More, Rina Ramon
Music: Trevor Jones
Cast:
Ernest Gordon: Ciaran McMenamin
Maj. Ian Campbell: Robert Carlyle
Tom Reardon: Kiefer Sutherland
Dusty Miller: Mark Strong
Takashi Nagase: Yugo Saso
Sgt. Ito: Sakae Kimura
Col. James MacLean: James Cosmo.
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
An ensemble effort that recalls other great POW movies, "Wars" boasts many superb performances, starting with Ciaran McMenamin as Gordon, a member of a proud Scottish regiment that includes the uncompromising Col. McLean (James Cosmo) and fiery Maj. Campbell (Robert Carlyle). These three find themselves in a jungle camp loosely guarded but brutally run by Sgt. Ito (Sakae Kimura), who is assisted by noncombatant translator Takashi Nagase (Yugo Saso).
Barely kept alive, with malnutrition, disease and death all around, the prisoners are ordered to build a railroad in 18 months -- the same project that occupied the characters in the classic "The Bridge on the River Kwai". McLean does not survive a confrontation with Ito, and the role of prisoner leadership passes on to volatile Campbell.
The film does a less than perfect job of showing the passing of time, and the eventual revolt of Carlyle's raging character -- resulting in vicious killings and reprisals -- seems a bit tacked on. However, "Wars" is quite successful at showing how Gordon and less warlike companions like Dusty Miller (Mark Strong) use their minds and Christian faith to bend rather than break under the Japanese system of Bushido.
Gordon's relationship with Nagase also provides some relief from the humiliation, torture and summary executions of Ito. Along with Kimura's fierce performance, which amazingly does a lot to humanize the Japanese, veterans Shu Nakajima ("Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"), as the army official in charge of the railroad project, and Masayuki Yui ("Ran"), as the commander of the prison camp, have memorable scenes.
Evoking Steve McQueen and William Holden, Kiefer Sutherland is quite good in the lone American role. He transforms from a rogue bent on escape to a cowered, servile version of his former self after nearly dying from torture.
TO END ALL WARS
Argyll Film Partners in association with
Pray for Rain Pictures and Gumshoe Prods.
Credits: Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: Brian Godawa
Based on the book by: Ernest Gordon
Producers: David L. Cunningham, Jack Hafer, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Greg Newman, Scott Walchek
Director of photography: Greg Gardiner
Production designer: Paul Sylbert
Editor: Tim Silano
Costume designers: Tamra More, Rina Ramon
Music: Trevor Jones
Cast:
Ernest Gordon: Ciaran McMenamin
Maj. Ian Campbell: Robert Carlyle
Tom Reardon: Kiefer Sutherland
Dusty Miller: Mark Strong
Takashi Nagase: Yugo Saso
Sgt. Ito: Sakae Kimura
Col. James MacLean: James Cosmo.
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 12/4/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The high-profile closing-night film of the fourth Method Fest, which is dedicated to showcasing the efforts of actors, "To End All Wars" is based on the true World War II story of English prisoner of war Ernest Gordon, who survived harsh treatment from the Japanese while laboring to build a railroad in the jungles of Burma-Siam (now Myanmar and Thailand).
Based on the late Gordon's 1962 book "Through the Valley of the Kwai" and directed with passion by David L. Cunningham, whose first film was the ambitious if not always successful 1998 Hawaiian drama "Beyond Paradise", the $14 million "Wars" (filmed mostly on the island of Kauai) has the elements of a prestigious limited release. It premiered at the 2001 Telluride Film Festival.
An ensemble effort that recalls other great POW movies, "Wars" boasts many superb performances, starting with Ciaran McMenamin as Gordon, a member of a proud Scottish regiment that includes the uncompromising Col. McLean (James Cosmo) and fiery Maj. Campbell (Robert Caryle). These three and many others find themselves in a jungle camp loosely guarded but brutally run by Sgt. Ito (Sakae Kimura), who is assisted by noncombatant translator Takashi Nagase (Yugo Saso).
Barely kept alive, with malnutrition, disease and death all around them, the prisoners are ordered to build a railroad in 18 months -- the same project that occupied the characters in the classic "The Bridge Over the River Kwai". McLean does not survive a confrontation with Ito, and the role of prisoner leadership passes on to volatile Campbell.
The film does a less than perfect job of showing the passing of time, and the eventual revolt of Caryle's raging character -- resulting in vicious killings and reprisals -- seems a bit tacked on. However, "Wars" is quite successful at showing how Gordon and less warlike companions like Dusty Miller (Mark Strong) use their minds and Christian faith to bend rather than break under the Japanese system of Bushido.
Gordon's relationship with Nagase also provides some relief from the humiliation, torture and summary executions of Ito. Along with Kimura's fierce performance, which amazingly does a lot to humanize the Japanese, veterans Shu Nakajima ("Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"), as the army official in charge of the railroad project, and Masayuki Yui, ("Ran") as the commander of the prison camp, have memorable scenes.
Evoking Steve McQueen and William Holden, Keifer Sutherland is quite good in the lone American role. He transforms from a rogue bent on escape to a cowered, servile version of his former self after nearly dying from torture.
The cinematography of Greg Gardiner ("Men in Black 2"), costumes and production design are all exemplary for such a modest budget. The real Gordon, who became dean of the chapel at Princeton University, is seen in a brief coda with the real Nagase at a memorial for those who did not survive the war.
TO END ALL WARS
Argyll Film Partners in association with
Pray for Rain Pictures and Gumshoe Prods.
Credits: Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: Brian Godawa
Based on the book by: Ernest Gordon
Producers: David L. Cunningham, Jack Hafer, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Greg Newman, Scott Walchek
Director of photography: Greg Gardiner
Production designer: Paul Sylbert
Editor: Tim Silano
Costume designers: Tamra More, Rina Ramon
Music: Trevor Jones
Cast:
Ernest Gordon: Ciaran McMenamin
Maj. Ian Campbell: Robert Carlyle
Tom Reardon: Kiefer Sutherland
Dusty Miller: Mark Strong
Takashi Nagase: Yugo Saso
Sgt. Ito: Sakae Kimura
Col. James MacLean: James Cosmo.
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Based on the late Gordon's 1962 book "Through the Valley of the Kwai" and directed with passion by David L. Cunningham, whose first film was the ambitious if not always successful 1998 Hawaiian drama "Beyond Paradise", the $14 million "Wars" (filmed mostly on the island of Kauai) has the elements of a prestigious limited release. It premiered at the 2001 Telluride Film Festival.
An ensemble effort that recalls other great POW movies, "Wars" boasts many superb performances, starting with Ciaran McMenamin as Gordon, a member of a proud Scottish regiment that includes the uncompromising Col. McLean (James Cosmo) and fiery Maj. Campbell (Robert Caryle). These three and many others find themselves in a jungle camp loosely guarded but brutally run by Sgt. Ito (Sakae Kimura), who is assisted by noncombatant translator Takashi Nagase (Yugo Saso).
Barely kept alive, with malnutrition, disease and death all around them, the prisoners are ordered to build a railroad in 18 months -- the same project that occupied the characters in the classic "The Bridge Over the River Kwai". McLean does not survive a confrontation with Ito, and the role of prisoner leadership passes on to volatile Campbell.
The film does a less than perfect job of showing the passing of time, and the eventual revolt of Caryle's raging character -- resulting in vicious killings and reprisals -- seems a bit tacked on. However, "Wars" is quite successful at showing how Gordon and less warlike companions like Dusty Miller (Mark Strong) use their minds and Christian faith to bend rather than break under the Japanese system of Bushido.
Gordon's relationship with Nagase also provides some relief from the humiliation, torture and summary executions of Ito. Along with Kimura's fierce performance, which amazingly does a lot to humanize the Japanese, veterans Shu Nakajima ("Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"), as the army official in charge of the railroad project, and Masayuki Yui, ("Ran") as the commander of the prison camp, have memorable scenes.
Evoking Steve McQueen and William Holden, Keifer Sutherland is quite good in the lone American role. He transforms from a rogue bent on escape to a cowered, servile version of his former self after nearly dying from torture.
The cinematography of Greg Gardiner ("Men in Black 2"), costumes and production design are all exemplary for such a modest budget. The real Gordon, who became dean of the chapel at Princeton University, is seen in a brief coda with the real Nagase at a memorial for those who did not survive the war.
TO END ALL WARS
Argyll Film Partners in association with
Pray for Rain Pictures and Gumshoe Prods.
Credits: Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: Brian Godawa
Based on the book by: Ernest Gordon
Producers: David L. Cunningham, Jack Hafer, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Greg Newman, Scott Walchek
Director of photography: Greg Gardiner
Production designer: Paul Sylbert
Editor: Tim Silano
Costume designers: Tamra More, Rina Ramon
Music: Trevor Jones
Cast:
Ernest Gordon: Ciaran McMenamin
Maj. Ian Campbell: Robert Carlyle
Tom Reardon: Kiefer Sutherland
Dusty Miller: Mark Strong
Takashi Nagase: Yugo Saso
Sgt. Ito: Sakae Kimura
Col. James MacLean: James Cosmo.
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 5/16/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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