Zoku Mijamoto Musaši: Ičidžódži no kettó
Directed by:
Hiroshi InagakiComposer:
Ikuma DanCast:
Toshirō Mifune, 鶴田浩二, Mariko Okada, Eijirō Tōno, Daisuke Katō, 水戸光子, 八千草薫, 尾上九朗右衛門, 三好栄子, 稲葉義男, Michiyo Kogure, Akira Tani, Kokuten KôdôPlots(1)
Toshiro Mifune furiously embodies swordsman Musashi Miyamoto as he comes into his own in the action-packed middle section of the Samurai Trilogy. Duel at Ichijoji Temple furthers Miyamoto along his path to spiritual enlightenment, as well as further from the arms of the two women who love him: loyal Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) and conniving yet tragic Akemi (Mariko Okada). The film also brings him face to face with hordes of rivals intent on cutting him down, especially his legendary rival Kojiro (Koji Tsuruta). The titular climax is one of Japanese cinema’s most rousingly choreographed conflicts, intensified by Jun Yasumoto’s color cinematography and Ikuma Dan’s triumphant score. (Criterion)
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Reviews (1)
Better than part one, but not much. After a splendid intro, you have to grit your teeth to be able to stand the middle part, but the finale looks good again. It relies surprisingly little on Mifune and his charisma. And, compared to part one, the exteriors are much more studio pasteboard, which isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s surprising.
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Photo © Toho Company
