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Overview

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Rashomon, 1950

Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Machiko Kyô

Directed by: Akira Kurosawa

Written by: Akira Kurosawa

Language: Japanese

Country: Japan

Runtime: 88 min

MPAA Rating:

Rating:8.4

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Profile of Rashomon

Rashomon can be described as bleak, tense, and contemplative. The plot revolves around samurai, redemption, and uncovering the truth. The main genres are drama, foreign, and period. In terms of style, Rashomon is nonlinear and involves multiple stories. In approach, it is serious and realistic. The storytelling is slow paced. Rashomon is located in Japan. It takes place in the middle ages. Visually, it is black and white. Rashomon is derived from a short story. The movie has received attention for being a Venice Festival winner, a classic, and a masterpiece.

Summary of 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 (Toshirô Mifune), a woman (Machiko Kyô), her husband (Masayuki Mori), and a woodcutter (Takashi Shimura). Only two things about the incident seem to be clear--the woman was raped and her husband is now dead. However, the other elements radically differ as the four participants and/or witnesses relate their own stories (with the dead man, eerily enough, speaking through a medium). As each account is revealed, what seemed black and white turns to various hues of gray, leading to surprising--and confounding--relevations.

A landmark of international cinema, RASHOMON won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1951, bringing both Kurosawa--and Japanese film in general--to the attention of Western audiences. From the rain-soaked opening sequence to its moving conclusion, the film is a stunning examination of truth and human nature. The entire cast is pitch-perfect, with regular Kurosawa lead actors Mifune and Shimura giving typically outstanding performances. While critics and cinephiles debate over exactly how many masterpieces Kurosawa directed, RASHOMON stands as one of the revered filmmaker's indisputably brilliant motion pictures. In fact, the film's influence is so pervasive that it has inspired everything from a high profile Hollywood remake (THE OUTRAGE starring Paul Newman) to numerous tributes in movies such as COURAGE UNDER FIRE and THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

Details

Language:	Japanese
Country:	Japan
Release date:	26 December 1951
Runtime:	88 min
Awards:	Academy Awards

Awards

Awarded Best Foreign Language Film at the 1951 Academy Awards

Cast and Crew See all

Toshirô Mifune

as Tajômaru

Machiko Kyô

as Masako Kanazawa

Photos See all

Rashomon (1950)

Clips See all

Rashomon: Trailer

Users Reviews See all

Sorry, I forgot to mention that if the characters of this narrative had really dwelled in the significance of the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, they wouldn't try to rank this story as the most horrific they've ever heard. This film... Read and rate it

23.August.2010
|
by: carco23
carco23 rated this movie0/10

09.October.2009
|
by: Ethan Clapham
Ethan Clapham rated this movie0/10

Rashomon, from director Akira Kurosawa, is widely considered a masterpiece. The film is often credited as the reason for the "Best Foreign Film" category at the Academy Awards. It's also recognized as the first film where the camera was pointed directly at the sun. But what really stood out was the story. Through the first half of the film, it seemed overly simple: three men discussing a heinous crime (that seems relatively tame by today's standards). It's not until the last thirty minutes that the true theme of the movie really comes to light. Rashomon is about life and truth. What is truth, really? How does it effect our lives, and how do our lives effect the truth? Each person involved in the story tells a different version. Which version is true, and does it really matter? Watch Rashomon, and immediately after the movie, stop and think about it. Don't let this one just roll on by without giving it some serious thought. Rashomon is many things, but it is not a popcorn flick. Don't go in expecting a simple, obvious story with no real meaning, because you will be disappointed. As usual, Criterion presents a striking DVD. The audio track was a little disappointing. I'm sure Criterion did the best they could have with what they had to work with, but there was a constant hiss over the entire film. With the exception of this hiss, the track was acceptable. It was the original mono track, restored, and most of the cracks and pops were removed or hardly noticeable. The hiss was all that remained. The video fared better. The black and white print had very good contrast levels with decent black levels. Definition was good, if not excellent. The print did still show some evidence of damage, with flecks, spots, and white lines occasionally visible. Once again, I'm sure Criterion did the best they could, considering the film is 55 years old now. None of the flaws detracted from the film in any way.

09.October.2009
|
by: Ethan Clapham

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