Classic Japanese Cinema Discussion Thread
Jul 21, 2018 1:30:44 GMT
spiderwort, petrolino, and 1 more like this
Post by manfromplanetx on Jul 21, 2018 1:30:44 GMT
Director Nobuo Nakagawa (1905-1984) joined Makino Film Productions in 1929 as an assistant director and worked under Masahiro Makino. making his own debut as director in 1934.
Throughout the 50s and into the 60s, Nobuo Nakagawa earned the reputation as the most accomplished director of the horror genre.
Nakagawa's early kaidan (ghost story) films are superbly creative, the atmospheric set bound films have a dark & unsettling ambience, The Ghost of Kasane Swamp (1957), Black Cat Mansion (1958), and the highly regarded, The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959), all are drawn from traditional folklore and legends; karmic morality fables which draw upon Buddhist beliefs & principals, of retribution and the afterlife, and that our earthly sins are to be atoned for after death...
However the skilled director also worked in other film genres, crafting some excellent noirish crime tales, and period dramas, his films are highly stylized, exceptionally entertaining classic Japanese Cinema.
Yôen dokufu-den: Hitokiri Okatsu , Quick-draw Okatsu (1969) Do not to be fooled by the English title, this is no light-hearted adventure, it is a stunning action packed drama, of bloody revenge. Avenging swordswoman Okatsu (Junko Miyazono) learnt her skills from a young age, she is the adopted daughter of a sword play master. Okatsu's world is governed by corrupt and cruel officials who rule over the land. After witnessing a brutally staged & torturous murder, violated Okatsu enraged embarks on an unwavering, savage & bloody path of revenge.
Accompanied with marvellous music, breathtaking scenery and gripping action, highlighted with some terrific characterizations, a guest appearance from Tomisaburô Wakayama, who plays a gruff but sensitive bounty hunter and Reiko Oshida as Rui a beautiful lone wanderer? who steps in to help out on occasions, with her fearsome sword fighting skills. Highly Recommend !!
Throughout the 50s and into the 60s, Nobuo Nakagawa earned the reputation as the most accomplished director of the horror genre.
Nakagawa's early kaidan (ghost story) films are superbly creative, the atmospheric set bound films have a dark & unsettling ambience, The Ghost of Kasane Swamp (1957), Black Cat Mansion (1958), and the highly regarded, The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959), all are drawn from traditional folklore and legends; karmic morality fables which draw upon Buddhist beliefs & principals, of retribution and the afterlife, and that our earthly sins are to be atoned for after death...
However the skilled director also worked in other film genres, crafting some excellent noirish crime tales, and period dramas, his films are highly stylized, exceptionally entertaining classic Japanese Cinema.
Yôen dokufu-den: Hitokiri Okatsu , Quick-draw Okatsu (1969) Do not to be fooled by the English title, this is no light-hearted adventure, it is a stunning action packed drama, of bloody revenge. Avenging swordswoman Okatsu (Junko Miyazono) learnt her skills from a young age, she is the adopted daughter of a sword play master. Okatsu's world is governed by corrupt and cruel officials who rule over the land. After witnessing a brutally staged & torturous murder, violated Okatsu enraged embarks on an unwavering, savage & bloody path of revenge.
Accompanied with marvellous music, breathtaking scenery and gripping action, highlighted with some terrific characterizations, a guest appearance from Tomisaburô Wakayama, who plays a gruff but sensitive bounty hunter and Reiko Oshida as Rui a beautiful lone wanderer? who steps in to help out on occasions, with her fearsome sword fighting skills. Highly Recommend !!