Birth of Japan (Hiroshi Inagaki, Japan, 1959)

The Gods create Japan and their human offspring populate the country. But in the peaceful community of Ise, Prince Yamato’s (Toshiro Mifune) nephews led by Otomo (Eiijiro Tono) plot permanent exile for him so they can seize power. Ordered to fight a series of wars Yamato finds solace in the love of servant-girl-to-the-Gods Ototachibana (Yoko Tsukasa) and the legends of … Read the rest

Sanjuro (Akira Kurosawa, Japan, 1962)

A terrific film that vaults into the first rank of my favourite Kurosawa’s alongside Ran, Rashomon, High and Low and Rhapsody in August. Toshiro Mifune is an absolute delight here as the scruffy, indolent, but-light-years-ahead-of-everyone-else warrior who rescues a bunch of witless samurai and then cleans up their corruption difficulties in local government. Two things I loved … Read the rest