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Rashomon (DVD, 2002, Criterion Collection)
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Leading Role: Toshiro Mifune
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: Mar 2002
Format: DVD
Additional Info: Criterion Collection
UPC: 037429161821
Product ID: EPID3377377
Description: Akira Kurosawa's highly acclaimed film, set in feudal Japan, presents an intriguing tale of violent crime in the woods, told from the perspective of four different characters--a bandit (Toshirô Mifune), a woman (Machiko Kyô), her husband...
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Truth & IllusionReview created: 11/07/07
by:
) 
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
If you have never seen this film, you will come to it and find it very familiar. That's because Rashomon has become part of the world's consciousness & lexicon. It's story of an action involving several participants, each with their own differing version of the truth, has been elaborated and riffed-on by many others since it appeared on the world's stage in the 50's.
So, it is an old movie, often imitated. And yet, I found it fresh and involving and well worth a look. As Robert Altman says on the DVD extras, many of the camera techniques, particularly shooting directly at the sun and allowing lens flare, were taboo-breaking and radically new when this film appeared. Now, that is put in as a joke in Shrek.
So you come to Rashomon not to be overwhelmed with its "newness" and the refreshing change of first encountering Japanese cinema and acting styles. No, you come to Rashomon as to an old master, to appreciate its lasting impression of the universality of human foibles and passions and the illusory nature of truth.
A rape and murder have occured in a woods. We hear and see different versions of the same encounter. Who is telling the truth? Is there an absolute objective truth, or does every teller of the tale inherently only tell the truth as he sees it? And if everyone is a "liar" and there is no absolute truth, what is the point of anything?
Don't let the heavy questions mislead you. Rashomon moves quickly, fluidly and gracefully, telling its story with economy and, to me, humor. Much is made of the dark philosophy underneath the theme, but I find great sardonic humor in the film. One example, the fight between the thief & the man as related by the woodcutter...it is messy and unheroic, sweaty, breathless and awkward and the antithesis of the stylized balletic sword fights found in, even Kurosawa's, samurai movies.
In the end, as familiar and much copied as Rashomon has been, it is still like no other film. It is unique, and the result of a master filmaker's vision, unified and beautiful and unforgettable.
So, it is an old movie, often imitated. And yet, I found it fresh and involving and well worth a look. As Robert Altman says on the DVD extras, many of the camera techniques, particularly shooting directly at the sun and allowing lens flare, were taboo-breaking and radically new when this film appeared. Now, that is put in as a joke in Shrek.
So you come to Rashomon not to be overwhelmed with its "newness" and the refreshing change of first encountering Japanese cinema and acting styles. No, you come to Rashomon as to an old master, to appreciate its lasting impression of the universality of human foibles and passions and the illusory nature of truth.
A rape and murder have occured in a woods. We hear and see different versions of the same encounter. Who is telling the truth? Is there an absolute objective truth, or does every teller of the tale inherently only tell the truth as he sees it? And if everyone is a "liar" and there is no absolute truth, what is the point of anything?
Don't let the heavy questions mislead you. Rashomon moves quickly, fluidly and gracefully, telling its story with economy and, to me, humor. Much is made of the dark philosophy underneath the theme, but I find great sardonic humor in the film. One example, the fight between the thief & the man as related by the woodcutter...it is messy and unheroic, sweaty, breathless and awkward and the antithesis of the stylized balletic sword fights found in, even Kurosawa's, samurai movies.
In the end, as familiar and much copied as Rashomon has been, it is still like no other film. It is unique, and the result of a master filmaker's vision, unified and beautiful and unforgettable.
Review ID: 10000000004641295
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Reviews
This is a must have film
) 2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
I viewed this film in my Art class a year ago, it was very recommended from our instructor. This movie created a new word to world-wide vocabulary "Rashomon", meaning "the same story told from different people, with their own perspective". As far as I have heard it is a term commonly used in courts.
Great film, for it's age it is surprisingly something different, intriguing and clearly out of ordinary. Few films such as this one have been created since then.
Very recommended.
Great film, for it's age it is surprisingly something different, intriguing and clearly out of ordinary. Few films such as this one have been created since then.
Very recommended.
Review ID: 10000000002157872
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Rashomon
) What I believe makes Akira Kurosawa's films so appealing to American audiences is his culturally western approach. Unlike other Japanese directors he was aware of foreign audience tastes and aimed at creating borderless stories that all could enjoy. "Rashomon" exemplifies this approach. With many narrators and unreliable tales he creates mystery characteristics that we Americans can identify with. He was like an exotic version of Hitchcock by manipulating the audiences emotions and confusing us as to which character we should trust. A great tale and a true classic. Highly recommend it!!!
Review ID: 10000000014289868
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This is a classic. Read Calvino's "Why we read the..."Review created: 01/30/08
by:
the classics." The same applies to cinema.
It's interesting to realize also that Kurosawa got his inspiration from a story in which the perspectives are divided. For those who love literature, it is great to see how the visual artist of our time appropriates the material in the medium of film, but literature still appears to be the definitive bedrock.....
It's interesting to realize also that Kurosawa got his inspiration from a story in which the perspectives are divided. For those who love literature, it is great to see how the visual artist of our time appropriates the material in the medium of film, but literature still appears to be the definitive bedrock.....
Review ID: 10000000005295288
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Amazing!
) 0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
I bought this movie because of my love for Seven Samurai. This is a very different kind of movie, but just as masterful.
Review ID: 10000000003744046
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Wonderful vendor0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Great communication with the seller about the movie, shipping, etc. Service was extremely prompt! I received my purchase within 4 days. I'd definitely buy from him again.
Review ID: 10000000003667558
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A Great MovieThis movie is a wonderful story and is also one of the most visually stunning movies ever filmed.
The DVD format is a pretty good copy of the original film.
The DVD format is a pretty good copy of the original film.
Review ID: 10000000002849986
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