Rashomon
1950
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 (Toshiro Mifune), a woman (Machiko Kyo), her husband (Masayuki Mori), and a woodcutter (Takashi Shimura). Only two things about the incident .. Read more
| Starring | Toshiro Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo, Takashi Shimura |
|---|---|
| Director | Akira Kurosawa |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Showered with prizes at festivals worldwide, this was the film that introduced western audiences to Japanese cinema. Exploring the relativity of truth, Akira Kurosawa presents four equally credible accounts of the woodland encounter between a wealthy married couple and a bandit that results in the husband's death. The endlessly moving camera, the stylised composition of the shots and the subtly shifting performances enable Kurosawa to challenge the notion that the camera never lies. Machiko Kyo as the wife and Toshiro Mifune as the bandit are superb, but it's Kurosawa's control that makes this exercise in emphasis and atmosphere so mesmerising.
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If it weren't for the closing spasm of gratuitous, humanist optimism, Rashomon could be warmly recommended as one of... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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28 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Four perspectives of the truth...
Rashomon was Kurosawa's major international breakthrough, winning the Golden Lion at Venice and the best foreign film Oscar in 1951. Seeing this film it is not hard to imagine its impact: the exoticism of its Japanese settings, characters and compositions and yet it’s much broader message about the nature of truth and subjectivity.
The film centres around the violent death of a man and the rape of his wife as they journey through a forest. These events are presented in flashback from the perspective of each of the three participants giving evidence to an inquest: the bandit responsible for the rape, the wife and the dead man (whose story is told through a medium). A final version is presented by a woodcutter who was an unseen witness in the forest.
Each story describes a radically different view of the events, presenting the narrator in a more positive light and hiding personal weaknesses. There is a remarkably vital and dynamic performance from Toshiro Mifune as the bandit, and a very strong supporting cast. Although the film shows its age a little on this DVD in terms of scratches and print damage, this does not detract from masterly cinematography capturing the play of sunlight in the forest and mirroring a shifting perspective on the relationships between the characters. Rashomon is a masterwork of Japanese and international cinema, and amongst the greatest of the many great films directed by Kurosawa. -
22 out of 30 people found this review helpful
Rashomon
This film caused a sensation in the West when it appeared in 1950, but age has not dealt kindly with it, despite or maybe because of the reputation of its director.
However worthy it may be to film students, the film seems way too mannered for the modern age. The performances owe more to traditional Japanese Noh drama than norms a western audience is used to, so expect bouts of maniacal laughter and what in most other films would be judged completely over the top acting. The pace is also painfully slow.
A pity that. Don't expect another Seven Samurai or Throne of Blood. -
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
What is truth? That this is great.
The fact that this is a) in black and white b) in Japanese and c) over fifty years old will undoubtedly put some people off seeing it.
It shouldn't.
Four people are part of a rape and murder in the forest. Each of them has a story to tell, and each one puts the responsibility for what happened somewhere new.
An absolute great of world cinema. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
The truth is... this film must be seen
I used to think black and white movies were dated, were movies that could not excite, were movies that could not stimulate the mind, and were movies that should be locked up and kept in the past. I used to think this… but after watching this film I do not anymore.
The reviews on this film have been short and I think I know why. This film is a unique experience and as with all unique experiences they only happen once. Thus, I do not want to hype-up this movie but at the same time I do not want to leave you with the impression that this is just another movie-flick.
All I will say is that this film (Rashomon) is a remarkable story directed by a remarkable man (Akira Kurosawa).
Do yourself a justice and watch this film. -
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
What is truth? That this is great.
The fact that this is a) in black and white b) in Japanese and c) over fifty years old will undoubtedly put some people off seeing it.
It shouldn't.
Four people are part of a rape and murder in the forest. Each of them has a story to tell, and each one puts the responsibility for what happened somewhere new.
An absolute great of world cinema.
-
28 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Four perspectives of the truth...
Rashomon was Kurosawa's major international breakthrough, winning the Golden Lion at Venice and the best foreign film Oscar in 1951. Seeing this film it is not hard to imagine its impact: the exoticism of its Japanese settings, characters and compositions and yet it’s much broader message about the nature of truth and subjectivity.
The film centres around the violent death of a man and the rape of his wife as they journey through a forest. These events are presented in flashback from the perspective of each of the three participants giving evidence to an inquest: the bandit responsible for the rape, the wife and the dead man (whose story is told through a medium). A final version is presented by a woodcutter who was an unseen witness in the forest.
Each story describes a radically different view of the events, presenting the narrator in a more positive light and hiding personal weaknesses. There is a remarkably vital and dynamic performance from Toshiro Mifune as the bandit, and a very strong supporting cast. Although the film shows its age a little on this DVD in terms of scratches and print damage, this does not detract from masterly cinematography capturing the play of sunlight in the forest and mirroring a shifting perspective on the relationships between the characters. Rashomon is a masterwork of Japanese and international cinema, and amongst the greatest of the many great films directed by Kurosawa. -
22 out of 30 people found this review helpful
Rashomon
This film caused a sensation in the West when it appeared in 1950, but age has not dealt kindly with it, despite or maybe because of the reputation of its director.
However worthy it may be to film students, the film seems way too mannered for the modern age. The performances owe more to traditional Japanese Noh drama than norms a western audience is used to, so expect bouts of maniacal laughter and what in most other films would be judged completely over the top acting. The pace is also painfully slow.
A pity that. Don't expect another Seven Samurai or Throne of Blood. -
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
What is truth? That this is great.
The fact that this is a) in black and white b) in Japanese and c) over fifty years old will undoubtedly put some people off seeing it.
It shouldn't.
Four people are part of a rape and murder in the forest. Each of them has a story to tell, and each one puts the responsibility for what happened somewhere new.
An absolute great of world cinema. -
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
A true classic
This tale told in flashbacks from the point of view of 4 different people (one of whom is dead and speaking through a medium!) of honour, honesty, rape and revenge is incredible. Beautifully shot and courageously acted, this movie will leave you breathless. In addition I now know what Homer Simpson meant when Marge said he enjoyed Rashomon and he replied 'Thats not what I remember!' :-)
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6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Fascinating tale told from many viewpoints
This excellent film shows how a story, in this case a rape and murder, can be told in many different ways depending on the viewpoint of the story-teller and the emotional lenses through which humans look at life.
Pivotal to the story are a series of narrations of each of the stories of the participants in the central drama; three characters in a triangle of love, violence and betrayl. However each is given another level of distance, and hence distortion, by being told second hand around a camp fire during a downpour by a Ronin-come-beggar, an old tramp and a monk.
As the movie resolves it becomes clear that one of the story-tellers was present at the crime and has his own reasons for creating a tale of deception.
Wonderful script and acted with passion, this is a fantasic character study and story about the nature of humans and our frailties when it comes to memory and storytelling. -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Akira Kurosawa Does It Again
In this film, the same event is viewed through the eyes of four different witnesses. It could have been dull and repetitive, but instead it was a clever representation of the psyches and egos of four very different people. Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune are both, as usual, on fine form.
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Truth within truth
The narration of this film is framed by scenes of three down-at-heel wanderers seeking shelter in the rain in an enormous abandoned gatehouse, which they start to tear apart to build a fire. The gatehouse is obviously the relic of a once great civilisation, of which nothing else remains.
This lends the central story a gravity that takes it beyond even its great insight into human nature and relationships, to tell us truths about human society. Kurosawa does this powerfully, simply and subtly. Genius. -
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
There are 4 sides to some stories.
This film centers around 4 characters, all witneses to the same event and each tell a different tale from their perspectives.
While watching this film I could not help but feel I'd seen it copied or imitated many times by today's film makers.
The story a Samurai and his Wife confronted by a Bandit and witnessed by a simple townsperson.
The Samurai ends up dead and the Bandit and the Wife go missing, when they are captured and brought before the Judge they all tell very different stories each trying to protect their own image. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
great movie
I watched this because I liked Seven Samurai and I have to say I liked it just as much - so another 5 stars. The film as explained involved different people telling their version of the same stories - opening up a dialogue on what 'truth' really is and what it means. I love Toshir? Mifune, the actor who plays the bandit, he is in bonkers form as usual. He is thrilling to watch.
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Masterpiece
Kurosawa's story of lies and murder is incredibly influential (so many films have copied this) and perfectly made. It's simple, clever and brilliantly effective. Toshiro Mifune's manically laughing bandit is awesome.
This may well be one of the best films ever made. Essential.
Critics' reviews (2)
-
Showered with prizes at festivals worldwide, this was the film that introduced western audiences to Japanese cinema. Exploring the relativity of truth, Akira Kurosawa presents four equally credible accounts of the woodland encounter between a wealthy married couple and a bandit that results in the husband's death. The endlessly moving camera, the stylised composition of the shots and the subtly shifting performances enable Kurosawa to challenge the notion that the camera never lies. Machiko Kyo as the wife and Toshiro Mifune as the bandit are superb, but it's Kurosawa's control that makes this exercise in emphasis and atmosphere so mesmerising.
-
If it weren't for the closing spasm of gratuitous, humanist optimism, Rashomon could be warmly recommended as one of... read more on Time Out
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Rashomon
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 (Toshiro Mifune), a woman (Machiko Kyo), her husband (Masayuki Mori), and a woodcutter (Takashi Shimura). Only two ...
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