Review of Rashomon (1950) by Devon B — 26 Dec 2009

Akira Kurosawa's story of a murder/rape is told by the victim, her husband's ghost and the criminal who committed the acts. Naturally, each one of the characters makes themself look valiant/noble while making the other two participants look dirty, cheap or evil, but the truth is a little less favorable to any of them.

The crazed criminal knows he's going to hang, and yet his pride won't allow him to make himself look less than amazing. Even stranger, the ghost of the murder victim (as channeled by a medium) makes up a scenario where he is the most honorable (even in the afterlife, people continue to be vain).

It's the woodcutter's version of the story that seems most truthful, though. Actually, all of the versions of the story are being told by the woodcutter, who's sitting in the rashomon with the priest and the traveller, giving the account of the recent trial and the crime which he witnessed.

For all we know, he could be making the whole thing up. The story-telling is topnotch and the film moves along briskly. It's a well-crafted piece of cinematography and well-deserving of the accolades it receives.