[UltraSearchs]

There's a 50% off sale on DVDs at a nearby store.

They have Rashomon, Kagemusha, and The Lost Fortress. I can only get one! Which should I buy?

-B

[finasteride]

I would choose Rashomon, cause of its greatness!!

[Blahhhshsh]

Do you mean The Hidden Fortress? If yes, get that one. If not, get Rashomon.

[chuviskkk]

I would say none if they aren't part of the Criterion Collection. They might be more expensive but the quality is great if you are going to watch these movies more than once. But if I had to pick I would say Hidden Fortress with Rashomon coming a close second.

http://www.criterion.com/explore/3

[VanDerSmok]

Don't they have "zatoichi does dallas"? that's brilliant!

[outfinofulpv]

Do you mean The Hidden Fortress? If yes, get that one. If not, get Rashomon.

Duh! Yes, hidden fortress. That's what I get for looking at them at the store, then posting about them back at work on my lunch break.

[effebrala]

There's a 50% off sale on DVDs at a nearby store.

They have Rashomon, Kagemusha, and The Lost Fortress. I can only get one! Which should I buy?

-B

King Lear, definitely.

[spapsinee]

King Lear, definitely.

That would be Ran, I think. Not among the three selections unfortunately.
Here is an excerpt that may make it more (or maybe less) difficult to decide:

"The Hidden Fortress is the third-most influential of Akira Kurosawa's films (behind Rashomon and The Seven Samurai). Unlike many of the great Japanese director's best-known efforts, The Hidden Fortress has not been remade in another language, but aspects of its production have found their way into numerous films released during the last 45 years. The most highly publicized of these is Star Wars. George Lucas has openly admitted that the droids C3PO and R2D2 are based on The Hidden Fortress' characters of Tahei and Matakishi. (There are also aspects of The Phantom Menace that echo The Hidden Fortress.) Many period piece Asian action epics have drawn their inspiration from The Hidden Fortress (certainly, more than one features a legendary hero protecting an outspoken princess). And even animation master Hayao Miyazaki has incorporated elements of The Hidden Fortress in Princess Mononoke."

The whole review is here.

[piramirra]

Last night I watched Superbad, and Zack and Miri make a prono, both of which I would recommend over your choices.

[Lapsiks]

Forgive him. Knocking down a few too many midday shochu.

[CializCialiscsqw]

Well let’s see
I saw both Rashomon and Hidden Fortress (ten times already), and my favorite is Rashomon
If you want a samurai movie (although Kurosawa’s samurai movies are something quite special) you should take The Hidden Fortress.
If you want an artistic/ mystery movie get Rashomon.
These are probably the best movies (along with The Seven Samurai) that Kurosawa ever made (and I love his movies).
Frankly, you should get them both. Kurosawa is a genius and these are real masterpieces.

[Cydayshosse]

I just finished reading Furinkazan, so I have to recommend Kagemusha.

[tipoketpu]

Ok I would advise you get all of the following:

Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Sanjuro, Hidden Fortress, Ran, Kagamusha, Twilight Samurai, Hidden Blade, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood, When the Last Sword is Drawn, Heaven and Earth (some of which aren't by Kurosawa!!!)

. . watch them all and make your own mind up. They are all, in their own way, well worth watching! It's what credit cards were invented for!!

If you have to choose one I would get Kagemusha myself. . . but then Hidden Fortress and Rashomon are good . . . . .

[Drugmachine]

"The Hidden Fortress is the third-most influential of Akira Kurosawa's films (behind Rashomon and The Seven Samurai). Unlike many of the great Japanese director's best-known efforts, The Hidden Fortress has not been remade in another language, but aspects of its production have found their way into numerous films released during the last 45 years. The most highly publicized of these is Star Wars. George Lucas has openly admitted that the droids C3PO and R2D2 are based on The Hidden Fortress' characters of Tahei and Matakishi. (There are also aspects of The Phantom Menace that echo The Hidden Fortress.) Many period piece Asian action epics have drawn their inspiration from The Hidden Fortress (certainly, more than one features a legendary hero protecting an outspoken princess). And even animation master Hayao Miyazaki has incorporated elements of The Hidden Fortress in Princess Mononoke."

Also, Yoshio Sugino sensei did the fight choreography, making it awesome.

[sicheAscems]

My recommendation is to befriend one of the Japanese-movie nerds at your dojo and borrow their shiz.

A lot of the movies are what I would classify as "cinema" rather than movies. You know, very "arty" and sometimes painfully samurai.... if you know what I mean. I like some of them (yojimbo is quality, rashomon is very good, hidden fortress is ok too although I watched it for star wars reasons rather than for Samurai reasons).

Out of your choices though, Rashomon. It's a classic and very clever.

[prehighaltitudesjj]

Ok I would advise you get all of the following:

Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Sanjuro, Hidden Fortress, Ran, Kagamusha, Twilight Samurai, Hidden Blade, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood, When the Last Sword is Drawn, Heaven and Earth (some of which aren't by Kurosawa!!!)

I've got Twilight Samurai, which I loved, and Ran, which made me want to stab my eyes out before it was halfway through.

. . watch them all and make your own mind up. They are all, in their own way, well worth watching! It's what credit cards were invented for!! Yes, but then I can't buy as many books!

[paulaglober]

I've got Twilight Samurai, which I loved, and Ran, which made me want to stab my eyes out before it was halfway through . . . . . . . . . . Yes, but then I can't buy as many books!

If you loved "Twilight Samurai" you will love "Hidden Blade" and "When the Last Sword is Drawn".
Books - try and get "The Bamboo Sword" which is a collection of short stories, including the one "Twilight Samurai" is based on.

[BodeOmissemia]

I Would say "Gohatto" and "Ame Ageru".
Gohatto is also Shinsengumi like When the last sword is drawn but with more interesting details. Ame Ageru is a story/script from the late Kurosawa but shot rather recently.
Good luck with the choices........

[PIORARMADDERI]

That would be Ran, I think. Not among the three selections unfortunately.

That's right...my bad. Rashomon was his World War-II allegory. Still, it would be my choice of the three.

Or, rent "Snatch" and see Brad Pitt's portrayal of ScottUK and his "caravan".

[AgowlSown]

I own all three. Buy one and you can borrow the other two from me