Split into two parts, Kenji Mizoguchi’s epic samurai picture is the most well respected film to come out of Japan during World War II. Mizoguchi is considered one of the Japan’s best filmmakers of all time. The only other film I have seen of his is UGETSU, which is amazing. THE 47 RONIN is more of a political intrigue story than an action adventure epic like those of Akira Kurasawa.
Lord Asano (Yoshizaburo Arashi) attacks and mildly wounds court officer Lord Kira after he is insulted by the bureaucrat. Because Kira is a royal butt-kisser — literally — the officials rule that Lord Asano must commit ritual suicide. Lord Asano’s loyal samurai petition for their master to be spared while the motives of Chamberlain Kuranosuke Oishi (Chojuro Kawarasaki), Asano’s second in command, are brought into question.
The film is a classic Japanese legend, which has been filmed many times. Mizoguchi meticulously chronicles the samurai code of loyalty as the dedicated samurai wait for the proper moment to seek their revenge. The film’s black and white cinematography is beautifully composed. However, the narrative drags and seems often too redundant. There are so many characters introduced you never come to identify with any core individual or group. Only towards the end of the film does Oishi come to the forefront and add an emotional weight and intrigue to the picture. Not having seen the second part and finding it difficult to find, I may reevaluate the two films as a whole, but as itself THE 47 RONIN PART 1 is a slow paced, but interesting piece of history and art.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
