Review of Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954) by Pierre D — 31 Mar 2016

Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵) has a legendary status in Japan. This 1954 Japanese film by Hiroshi Inagaki starring my favourite actor Toshirō Mifune was the first film of Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy of historical adventures. The screenplay was an adaptation of Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi which is loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. In the 50's was a real hit and it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (1955). If you want the full story, I'll suggest to check the other two films in the trilogy : Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple and Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island.

It is a movie with a simple message but delivered in such a way that nothing is missing: from depth of contemplating moral dilemmas, to love, meaning of life, urge to explore, fighting (very realistic - no flying swordsmen here)... it is a real smorgasbord of subjects! The story starts following the battle of Sekigahara (1600 AD), where Takezo (Toshirō Mifune) and his friend Matahachi (Rentaro Mikuni) find themselves on the losing side. Instead of the grand victory and glory Takezo had anticipated, he finds himself a hunted fugitive... I won't be retelling the full story, but at the end film shows Takezo being granted his samurai name 'Musashi Miyamoto' leaving to search for enlightenment!

Superb acting with some minor editing glitches and very enjoyable directing of the best cinematography at the time! Traditional music won't win too many fans but for me worked well... Recommended for everyone with real interest in film history!