Product Details

• Actors: Takaaki Enoki, Masahiko Tsugawa, Atsuko Asano, Naomi Zaizen, Hironobu Nomura
• Directors: Haruki Kadokawa
• Writers: Haruki Kadokawa, Chôgorô Kaionji, Isao Yoshiwara, Toshio Kamata
• Producers: Yasutada Uemura, Yutaka Okada
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Lions Gate
• VHS Release Date: June 10, 1992
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302390656
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,369 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dont compare it to Kurosawa and you'll like it., April 18, 2005

By 

D. Riordan "Amateur historian, professional r... (Lost Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heaven & Earth [VHS] (VHS Tape)

While many compared this Samurai flick to the movies of Akira Kurosawa, I feel that this is an unfare comparison. It's like measuring every mafia movie made against the Godfather trilogy.

While the storytelling is some what disjointed at times and it is a bit liberal with historical accuracy, the scenery and battle scenes are well worth viewing in this epic. It will definitely help any viewer to have an actual knowledge of the real-life history behind the stories two main characters (Uesugi Kenshin, Takeda Shingen). These two great warlords armies met 7 times over 15 years at the same plain in Northern Japans Alps. It is a truly fascinating story typical of the era known as Sengoku Jidai, or the "Age of the Waring States" in Japan.

The cinematography and acting are excellent. The battle scenes however are the true gem in this film. I have not seen medieval battle scenes done as well as this in film with the one exception being Braveheart.

Of note: Much of this film was shot in Canada using several thousand college students as extras.

Besides folks, how many "epic" samurai films are there to begin with (dont even mention "Last Samurai" to me!!!) and how many of those ever make it to the US or are available with english subtitles. Trust me, if you like films about samurai history/battles (not just lone/wandering/angry/pissed off samurai)you will dig this flick. For REAL fans of this movie, you can now (after 14 years) find the DVD on EBAY for $5. Why so cheap? Its only in Japanese w/ Chinese subtitles. Oh well.

Want to see it on DVD w/ English subtitles? Then start emailing Lionsgate Films to get off their butts and get it done!!! Here are two emails for them to send your thoughts to:

[e-mail]
[e-mail]

June 2006 update: a region free dvd w/ english subtitles can now be found here:
www.samuraimoviedvd.com/index.php?

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This MUST be released on DVD, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Heaven & Earth [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have a copy of this movie recorded off TV, and while it is not completely accurate historically, it is a truly beautiful film. The battle scenes are outstanding, even if the plot is not overly complicated.

I just wish it was available on DVD. Isn't there some kind of Amazon option that lets one vote and indirectly tell the studio that it should be produced as a DVD? This movie is too good not to be in the best format available.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Period Movie, October 6, 2003

By 

TrezKu13 (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heaven & Earth [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I first saw "Heaven and Earth" when I was 12. It came on Bravo (back when the channel was actually good) and even though I came into it halfway, I sat there and watched the rest of it with out blinking. I was instantly attracted to it in every way: the score, the cinematography, the action...every thing was simply astounding.

One of the greatest things I love about this movie is that it is a rare film genre not readily available to Americans like me; that genre would be historical action. To me, this is the "Gettysburg" of Sengoku Jidai period films, and I don't exagerate when I say this. While not completely accurate, it does not stray from accuracy so much that you can't just have fun. The battles are well shot and exciting, and you feel like you are actually watching a medieval Japanese battle.

If you are into Japanese history or Japanese films in general, this should be the film for you. It is an excellent tale of two rival samurai warlords and their different vies for power.