Product Details

• Actors: Tatsuya Nakadai, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tetsuro Tamba, Yôko Tsukasa, Ruriko Asaoka
• Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 1.0)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Tokyo Shock
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2006
• Run Time: 124 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000C6NP7M
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,707 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Goyokin" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

GOYOKIN - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Classic - But Underserved by the Translation, March 19, 2006

By 

Nanoarcher - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Goyokin (DVD)

BY ALL MEANS, RENT THIS FILM! But, for the truly discriminating viewer of jidaigeki*, might I suggest that viewers hold out for a better DVD version to purchase -- one with superior English translation compared to this DVD by Media-Blasters/Tokyo Shock. Otherwise, the movie itself well merits five stars.

"Goyokin" is a subtle, utterly compelling work. Superb direction (action sequences and mise-en-scène composition), acting (including the great Tatsuya Nakadai), writing, and cinematography do ample justice to this deceptively straightforward, yet culturally and thematically complex, drama.

Devotees of this remarkable yet undeservedly obscure film have waited decades for a quality print, and for years a DVD version. What a disappointment, then, this version -- the only saving grace of which IS the print, which thankfully retains the film's impressive cinematography.

Julia Rose's translation, though technically serviceable, is at times wincingly glib for such a mature, understated work as "Goyokin." (Accountability should also rest with the DVD's translation manager Anna Yamamoto.)

The translation often fails to grasp the suggestive nuances and complexities of the Japanese people, their language, history, and culture. This film demands not only a command of all these elements, but a mastery of English as well, in order to convey traditional Japanese refinement to an English-speaking audience. That is to say, a depth of sophistication worthy of the film's artistry.

Fine and noteworthy motion pictures merit long life in a loyal and dedicated audience, who deserve to see them exactly as their creators envisioned in the final cut. In this case, I hope fans of "Goyokin" will one day be rewarded with an alternative DVD version, one with a finesse of translation equal to the level of this exceptional classic.

Despite this criticism -- and as other fans have already commented here -- I'm sincerely grateful that this treasure of a movie can now be seen by a wider viewing public. I'd like to think Ms. Rose gave it her best shot, but Gosha's "Goyokin" deserves better.

* Period films that typically, but not exclusively, focus on the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little known, but worth seeing, January 26, 2006

By 

S. Hada (El Sobrante, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goyokin (DVD)

"Goyokin" is probably one of the least-known of the samurai films from Japan. That's a pity, because it is also, arguably, one of the best ever made of that genre. Released in 1969, the film had a limited release in the US, and then languished in storage due to legal matters.

The story focuses on Wakizaka Magobei (Nakadai Tatsuya), a samurai who returns to face the clan that he'd left meany years before. A subterfuge, performed to steal the official gold of the title; a massacre, done to eliminate any convenient witnesses or informants. All create the psychological tension that forms the drama surrounding Nakadai. The director, Gosha pits clan loyalty against morality, or doing what is right. In this respect, Gosha is similar to Masaki Kobayashi, who explored similar themes in "Harakiri," (also starring Nakadai) as well as his "Human Condition" trilogy.

Several other folk have mentioned that this film reminds them of the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone. That observation isn't so far-fetched. This film was copied and made into a forgettable Hollywood western: "The Master Gunfighter," with Tom Laughlin, of "Billy Jack" fame. Think of it as Cowboys with Swords.

An intelligent script, superb direction, outstanding cinematography ("Goyokin" was the first film in Japan to be filmed in Panavision) and the excellent acting of Nakadai. The climactic duel in the snow, with Nakadai and Nakamura Kinnosuke as the clan head (his brother-in-law), is visually stunning.

Hopefully, the re-release of this film will allow a wider audience to appreciate it.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, January 3, 2006

By 

David A. Brownlee (Brisbane, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goyokin (DVD)

Goyokin "Official Gold" I have watched this film several times and rate it as one of the best in it's genre. Tatsuya Nakadai is superb as Magobei Wakizaka the guilt ridden samurai who attempts to stop a massacre taking place. The film directed by Hideo Gosha reminds me very much of a spaghetti western..leers, strange camera angles, facial close ups, long silent pauses with stares into nothingness...however it holds your attention and maintains the suspense and the photography is beautiful. It also has some of the best lines, for a movie of this type for example, at the water tower, the killers catch up with Magobei..."Don't ask why you have to die" Nakadai is just superb at this moment, I dont want to give to much away as it will spoil the film for those that have not seen it. A truly superb film.