Rashomon (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Blu-ray is the typical Criterion excellence keeping in mind the starting point of a 1950 Japanese B&W with mediocre fidelity monaural audio. Has some good extras including an in depth analysis commentary that provides deep insight about the story, script writing, cinematography and directing within the context of traditional Japanese culture. Options include Japanese or dubbed English dialog (both mono), and English subtitles. It's interesting to watch with dubbed English and subtitles as they are clearly different translations. Found using both together that it provides additional insight into the more subtle meaning of the Japanese dialog.Roshamon is not an original screenplay, it is an adaptation of two Akutagawa short stories, "Roshmon" providing the story-telling setting and infant scene, and "In a Grove" providing the plot and charcters. Even without the optional analysis commentary, it becomes clear within the first 20 minutes or so this is not a Kurosawa action film. It is intellectual and challenges the viewer's concepts about absolute Truth and reality. It is a mental exercise as the priest and the woodsman relate their story about a crime and trial they recently saw to a third party who is curious, wanting to be entertained while waiting out a torrential rainstorm in the shelter of the Rashomon Gate. The priest in particular is losing his faith and belief in the basic Goodness of humanity after hearing the very different and self-serving testimony at the trial. The basic facts that a rape and murder occurred are not disputed, but who committed the murder and how both were carried out are what substantially differ in five different versions of the events (woodsman with original and later revised stories, notorious bandit on trial, murdered samurai via a "medium, and samurai's wife who was raped by the bandit). It's an absolutely outstanding exploration of Truth, what it is, and how it relates to what people perceive, remember and want or wish to believe. Add to it strong probability of ulterior motives and self-interest tainting the testimony. The themes are universal and timeless, and Kurasowa's portrayal of the story allows the film to be readily understood in nearly any country/culture, 60+ years later. It is cited by some as Japan's "Citizen Kane," their all-time greatest film with groundbreaking flashback-driven screenplay, directing, acting and cinematography (albeit a much different plot). Not surprising to me that Roshamon received the 1952 Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign Language Film, and has withstood the test of time, continuing to place high on lists of the best Japanese films.Like two other Kurosawa films that were remade as Westerns, "The Outrage" in 1964 with Paul Newman, Edward G. Robinson and a very young Willim Shatner very closely follows Roshamon (with Kurosawa credited for the screenplay. The other two are Seven Samurai / Magnificent Seven and Yojimbo / Fistful of Dollars. Other films use major elements or the same themes more abstractly, but analysis shows the source.This is a film well worth seeing, more than once as the finer details in the story and Kurosawa's directing become more apparent

Master director Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon, one of the first of many masterpieces broke the mold when first released, becoming a worldwide sensation, and is still a staple of classic Japanese cinema. An ambitious, yet simply presented story of a horrendous crime, the account of which is told by multiple conflicting testimonies. Superb storytelling, highly original, but so often imitated that it eventually became formulaic. Great camerawork with memorable use of torrential downpour at the temple gates. Notable for making stars of Toshiro Mifune and Machiko Kyo in iconic performances. Kurosawa's decades of work are recommended, especially his samurai films: Throne Of Blood (a version of Macbeth) The Seven Samaurai (an undeniable masterpiece) and my favourite, the spaghetti western-inspiring, Yojimbo. This Criterion Collection Blu Ray looks fine and also contains plenty of extras, including an audio commentary, and several interviews and documentaries on the making of this profound classic.

RASHOMONThis 1950 Kurosawa crime drama, set in 11th century Kyoto, is one of many pictures which contribute to Kurosawa's reputation as one of the great filmmakers of all time. With its groundbreaking use of flashbacks this picture not only influenced future filmmaking but also contributed to the lexicon of courtroom justice. Eyewitness stories which contradict each other became known as the "Rashomon" effect. In the story four characters are witnesses to, or participants in, a murder or a suicide - and a possible rape. Each character recounts his or her story seemingly in response to questioning, though we never see or hear from an interrogator. It quickly becomes clear that they can't all be right, and what really happened is anyone's guess - until the end of the film.The deluge at Kyoto's Rashomon Gate which opens the film made a powerful impression on me. Maybe you'll have the same reaction.This picture won't be everyone's cup of tea, though for some it may become an acquired taste. That said, it's worth seeing for the fantastic acting and directing alone - also for the memorable woodsy mountain scenery and thickets (a Kurosawa specialty also featured in Seven Samurai) where the characters go astray both literally and figuratively. All part of Kurosawa's design, as pointed out in one of the essays included with the Criterion Collection edition of this film.The picture runs an hour and 28 minutes.

Not only one of Kurosawa's best films, but also one of the most influential films of all time. This film shows multiple versions of the same incident from the point of view of various participants and witnesses, none of which on its own is complete or entirely accurate. Plus, it has Toshiro Mifune who is always fun to watch on screen. The storytelling is compelling and the film is beautifully shot. As usual, Criterion has presented an exquisite print of the film with a variety of extras. It is a definite improvement over the older DVD version of the film and well worth the upgrade.

If you haven’t seen a Kurosawa film, this is definitely one to watch.