Kevin's Watch

I could be wrong about this (I don't know that much about the Samurai), but I thought it was about Katsumoto's ideals. The Samurai were all about devoting themselves to perfection; Katsumoto was the one who believed in the Emperor, and wanted him to rule (having been his tutor for years).

Rigel wrote:I could be wrong about this (I don't know that much about the Samurai), but I thought it was about Katsumoto's ideals. The Samurai were all about devoting themselves to perfection; Katsumoto was the one who believed in the Emperor, and wanted him to rule (having been his tutor for years).

To an extent...but I can't think of a samurai in that film who didn't support his ideals. Samurai devoting themselves to perfection is pure romanticism. The vast majority, especially in the Tokugawa era, devoted themselves to sloth, indolence, hedonism, and social advancement . . . either that or robbing people blind.

In a historical context, Katsumoto would come across as absurdly naive to put his faith in a boy-emperor who is just as much a piece of furniture as the throne he sits upon. Nonetheless, it's kind of futile to criticise a film which functions as a complete fantasy.

I mentioned Dances with Wolves before--this movie was kind of like John Dunbar meets the Samurai, wasn't it?

danlo wrote:I mentioned Dances with Wolves before--this movie was kind of like John Dunbar meets the Samurai, wasn't it?

Yeah

Or, dissolute, dissillussioned soldier cliche # 571 meets the samurai.

Montresor wrote:Nonetheless, it's kind of futile to criticise a film which functions as a complete fantasy.

Well, there ya go! Really, you have to view it that way. Same with Gates of Fire, I suppose. These things can be extremely good stuff (Gates is, Samurai not as), even if not historically accurate. But, again, I understand that the time and place is an area of special interest to you, and it's a veeeeeery difficult thing to overlook what you actually know about it while trying to enjoy the movie.

I used to absolutely adore this film...

But the last time I watched it I began to realize just how intentionaly over-the-top it is written and acted...

Still a good film...

'You guys seen 7 Samurai?

jacob Raver, sinTempter wrote: 'You guys seen 7 Samurai?

Yep. Greatest film ever made.

7S holds up very well considering how old it is...can't say that for all those Wayne westerns...

Some of those Wayne westerns are pretty good... well, at least one is. Big Jake.

I've only seen half of The Searchers and half of The Shootist...

...I guess I can see what he does really well...