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As usual when I go to Frye's, I end up in the foreign films video section. I finally picked up a Zatoichi flick that has been on my want list for awhile. One film I had not heard of caught my eye because of the elaborate work given to the packaging, “Musa the Warrior”. I thought it was a wonderful drama, beautifully shot and heroically depicted. After checking the archives here, I have to agree with those that believe its excellence matches “The Emperor and the Assassin”. And comparable to Braveheart (agree) and Gladiator (on my shelf, but haven't seen it yet).Are there any recommendations that come to mind with similar executions of “the righteous and the noble”? TIA.
Follow Ups:
Musa the Warrior and The Emperor and the Assassin are the tops on my epic Asian historical film list.Then there are the epic legendary tales (like Ever-After is sort of a Cinderella story, or Excallibur as a retelling of King Arthur) like Hero and Crowching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Those 4 are probably my favorite films. Particularly those dealing with ancient Chinese legendary history (this was a collection of legends about the 7 kingdoms / warring states period 777-221BC, the Xia-2100BC, Shang-1523BC. and Zhou-1027BC dynasties, that were transmitted orally for millennia before anyone wrote them down. They were all thought to be fables until arcaeologists recently dug them up)
I'd love to see an epic done on Fu-Hao (legendary warrior general of the Shang dynasty who lived about 1250BC Her tomb was found in 1976), or a historical piece in the time of Kung-Fu-Tse (which the Brits. transliterated into Confucious" or Lao-Tzu. Korean films about the ancient kingdoms of Silla, Paekche, Kaya, and Koguryo. or films about Japan between the Jomon and Heian eras.
Moon over Tao is a fun Japanese film... takes place in the Tokagawa era. I don't know how to describe it as it mixes drama, comedy, samurai chanbara, monsters, magic and aliens all into one film, that manages to turn out to be a quite entertaining, feel-good film (watched it about a dozen times now since it makes a good mindless "decompression" flick to watch between other films when you want to switch gears)
Samurai Fiction is a good modern samurai film done in the classic old Kurosawa style. Kitano (Beat) Takeshi's version of Zatoichi is really good too (I noticed that he couldn't keep from inserting bits of his bizarre humor into it) He was also good in Gohatto (Taboo).
Onmyoji and Onmyoji II are atmospheric and visually lush films about Abe no Seimei (he was Japan's most famous magician who worked in the government's office of divination and lived from 921 to 1005AD). I'm a sucker for Heian era films, especially those with a touch of historical legend and a hint of ghost story and magic. (the second dvd will be released in R1 on 11/2)
KwAIDAN, a set of 4 classic Japanese ghost stories originally filmed in the 60's. A Chinese Ghost Story 1,2 & 3 - fun romantic ghost stories.
Anime: Samurai-X Trust and Betrayal (the directors cut combines these two disks but mats them for wide screen). Tragic but good tale about an assassin during the revolution.
Hakkendon: legend of the Dog Warrors. The animation on this is quite variable (parts are great and some episodes look like the Janitorial staff drew them), but the story is good and is based on an 18th century novel that was 106 volumes long and took 28 years to write.
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~opaku/shogun/index.html
Naturally, it had to be shortened for the anime (which is 3 disks long) and it is full of symbolism so this site may help with that better than the one about the novel http://members.tripod.com/~muromachi1333/main.htmlAnyway, I'd appreciate any recommendations on anything like those mentioned. For that matter, I also like B films like Zeiram, Haunted Lantern, Kunoichi, Mr Vampire, and even those silly kung fu films.
Thanks Pam! Your past posts and recommendations have added many titles to my “must-see” list. Historical depth and background knowledge of the films enhance their significance.One recent trek has me seeking Asian films featuring classic stories and/or renown characters. Funny, this stems from my distaste for some aspects in “The Last Samurai”, which really wasn't any fault of the director or actors.
Thanks again, I have made note of the titles new to my list!
do stay away from Warriors of Heaven and Earth (also called Heavenly Warriors) which is an inferior rip-off of Musa.just in case you come across it...
So little time with so much available to enjoy. Thanks, I will avoid WHE.
I *liked* Warriors of Heaven and Earth.
Jack
Does “Warriors of Heaven and Earth” mimic the subject matter of “Musa” and if so, are you saying each can be enjoyed for the qualities they bring? Thanks for the response.
Both movies can be enjoyed for the qualities they offer. Warriors was made with an eye towards the western audience. They put *alot* of money into it. Its not a "classic", but its not bad either. It doesn't have to be dismissed right off the bat.
Jack
Hello Jack. I felt Alex's response was appropriate considering my impulse purchase of “Musa”. I appreciate his attempt at sparing me some disappointment in similarily buying “WHE” only to find an “inferior rip-off” (his opinion). The information you gave about “made with an eye towards the western audience” is an interesting pov and makes WHE worthy of a look. Thanks for sharing.
IMHO a MUCH better film than "Gladiator".
I have only vague memories of this film, but I think you've found a match for my current interest - epic proportions and noble heroics. Thanks again.
I mostly agree. But the fact is that Kubrick wasn't convinced. They had to twist his arm for some time to get his help restoring a print (a 35mm print) for the first collector's edition laser release. The person who really believed in the film was Douglas.Occasionally the 70mm version tours the art circuit (as does the 70mm "2001"). They are not restored and the sound is marginal but even so, they beat everything else hands down.
Kubrick always said that "Spartacus" was the one film over which he did not have complete directorial control. He was hired by Douglas when Douglas fired Anthony Mann after two weeks of shooting. Kubrick reported for work on a weekend's notice and left Marlon Brando to direct "One Eyed Jacks", Brando's only diretorial outing. Some of Mann's work appears in the opening scenes of "Spartacus", something which displeased Kubrick.I have always found it very clever that the filmakers used American actors for the slave parts (except for Varinia, who was British anyway) and British actors for the Roman patrician parts. And Olivier's performance is one of his best (just look at the way in which he suggests the power of his class by just a raised eyebrow).
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