Classic Japanese Cinema Discussion Thread
Jul 6, 2018 10:43:47 GMT
Fox in the Snow and petrolino like this
Post by Aj_June on Jul 6, 2018 10:43:47 GMT
Glad you liked it as well. 
I have not seen The face of Another and will very much like to see it. Now that you say it is almost on par with Woman of the Dunes, I will make hurry.
I have not seen The face of Another and will very much like to see it. Now that you say it is almost on par with Woman of the Dunes, I will make hurry.When people ask me to list my top 10 movies then generally my top 10 remains the same but the order may change. But not in case of Japanese cinema. Sansho Dayu (1954) remains my favourite Japanese movie of all time in any list I make. In fact it may also be my favourite film ever (not just favourite Japanese). I was moved so much by it when I saw it for the first time that I decided to show this film to my movie buff friends. It's a bit simpler than other Japanese movies but nonetheless just as effective.
I think I will rank The Ballad of Narayama (1958) /The Ballad of Narayama (1983) as my second favourite Japanese film. Once again, it's less about direction and more about story for me.
My third favourite is Harakiri (1962). This time there are many reasons including direction, acting, story and cinematography for liking it or any other Kobayashi films.
My fifth favourite was The Burmese Harp (1956) till a few days ago but I have put Tokyo Twilight (1957) now at the 5th spot.
Keep in mind that all my ranking are based on pre 80s movies. I also like Grave of the Fireflies and some other movies but I believe they should not be compared to movies of classic era.
What would be your top 5 (even if you can make a loose list)?
I’ve only seen the 1983 version of The Ballad of Narayama, but I quite like it. Hope to get the original at some point.
I love Harakiri. I have trouble ranking “the big 3” Kobayashi films.
The 3 part The Human Condition if taken as a whole is just such an ambitious, monumental achievement. Taken individually the second part is noticeably weaker, but the final part is stunning. The final sequence is one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema I’ve seen.
Harakiri is just so technically superb, probably my favorite Samurai film and Kwaidan is gorgeous, though the final story is a little lacking and lets it down a little overall.
The Burmese Harp is another “big one” I’ve yet to see, though I do like most of the Ichikawa I have seen, particularly An Actor’s Revenge, Fires on the Plain and Odd Obsession.
A rough Top 5, chronologically
The Life of Oharu
An Actor’s Revenge
Onibaba
Woman in the Dunes
Dolls [2002] – like you most of my favorites come from the “classic” period, but this is one of the most amazingly beautiful films I’ve ever seen, so spare and minimal, very little plot or dialogue, but absolutely stunning visuals.
I like that you mentioned The Human Condition series. I would have loved to see more movies from Kobayashi but I am still content with all the gems he gave.
Now after reading your post I need to watch An Actor's Revenge (1963). Can't believe that I was not even aware of this film. Thanks.
Would love to hear whatever Japanese films you have liked most.
I did love Throne of Blood (1957). Japanese touch to western stories such as in Samurai Saga (1959) (based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac) and Throne of Blood have done justice to the original stories. Not so much in being true to the original stories as in giving a different perspective to them. I have yet to see Tokyo Story but I am sure I will like that too.