Japan: Film: Inagaki Hiroshi
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Born on December 30, 1905 and died on May 21, 1980, both in Tokyo. One of the most prominent,
if frequently neglected, Japanese directors, whose grandiose style is comparable to Kurosawa.
Although fairly successful during the height of his creative years, he fell into financial
straits, just like the other "ancient" directors and was unable to find funding for his
projects. Unlike Kurosawa, he gradually slid into alcoholism and finally died of complications
related to it. Many of the best creators have taken their cues from him, and his loss to
cinama is tragic.
Although most famous for his Samurai Trilogy starring Mifune Toshiro, Inagaki made lots of other films that are pure cinematic delight. Not as stylized and overtly stylish as Shinoda, not as naively humanistic as Kurosawa, and a lot less elegiac than Mizoguchi, his work has a niche all of its own, packing huge dollops of action amid heart-tugging melodrama. Add his unerring eye for casting, and Inagaki's outings are a sight to behold. Here's the list of Inagaki films in my collection. |
The Films
The films are arranged in chronological order, with a brief description and a rating (1-10). Some movies have more extensive reviews, which (WARNING) reveal substantial parts of the plot. I intend these primarily as a reminder for myself, and a basis for discussion with others. If you want to maintain the suspense, don't read the long reviews until after you've seen the film.- Samurai 1: Miyamoto Musashi (1954)
- Based on the famous novel by Yoshikawa Eiji, the Samurai Trilogy is arguably the most famous Inagaki film. In this first part, the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi begins his transformation from a hotheaded youth who recklessly seeks glory on the losing side at the Battle of Sekigahara to a disciplined master of the sword. Rated: 9/10.
- Samurai 2: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)
- The second part of the Samurai Trilogy sees Musashi face the first test of his finely honed skills when he encounters the wrath of an entire school. The love-sick Otsu is trying to find him but fate throws all sorts of obstacles in her way. Rated: 9/10.
- Samurai 3: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)
- In the third, and final, entry in the Samurai Trilogy, Musashi finally faces off with his long-time rival, the dangerous Kojiro. He is forced to realize that being the perfect samurai is not all that is cracked up to be and his love for Otsu must meet a final test when her rival Akemi schemes to avenge Musashi's neglect. Rated: 9/10.
- Chushingura (1962)
- This version of the story of the 47 loyal retainers is my favorite. When Lord Asano is baited beyond endurance by a rival lord, he draws his sword at the shogun's palace and for this offense is forced to commit seppuku. Forty-seven of his retainers stage a bloody vendetta even though it would doom them as well. Rated: 9/10.
- Rise Against the Sword (1966)
- At the end of the Warring States period, peasants struggle to protect themselves against the ever increasing depredations of the samurai. Goemon Abare is a village leader whose military skills and zest for fighting make him look like Hachiman incarnate. When his realism clashes with his younger brother's idealist pacifism, the entire village is in mortal danger. Rated: 7/10.
- Samurai Banners (1969)
- In this period film set in the 16th century, the Takeda and Kagetora clans constantly jockey for advantage and their maneuvering soon spills into overt feuding. This one is told from the Takeda perspective, and from the viewpoint of his irascible, but brilliant, strategist played by Mifune Toshiro who is tormented by his love for one of his lord's concubines. Rated: 8/10.
- Incident at Blood Pass (1970)
- Two legends, Mifune Toshiro (reprising his role as Yojimbo) and Katsu Shintaro (of Zatoichi fame), square off in this tale of betrayal, intrigue, and so much switching of sides that one may be forgiven to completely lose track of characters' loyalties. A shadowy conspiracy to steal the shogunate's gold has to reckon with the formidable, if largely also shadowy, presence of Yojimbo. Rated: 7/10.