Customer Reviews

Heaven & Earth [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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:

general-inquiries@lgf.com
pwilkes@lgf.com

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

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.

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.

I have watched this movie over and over since its release on video. I try to watch it at least once to twice a month. The direction and cinematography is "outstanding"! The images dance across the screen in a bright bold canvas. I have to this day never watched a film that, on such a grand scale (the large number of extras) has come close to comparing to this film. The story in and of itself has many levels, but the landscapes combined with the music. It just pulls you into the film. I suggest definetly watching this on at least a 27" or bigger, it's the only way you could get close enough to bringing in such huge scenes. -Also I'm not much on instrumental only music, but I've got to find the musical score for this film...Heaven & Earth, no other movie should be allowed to share its title.

I already own a shabby version of this film in VHS format. (Recorded off of television.) I would not reccommend buying this film until it becomes available on dvd. A movie this good should be available in the best format possible. If all of us customers make a stand and not buy (or watch) bad movies until the good ones are finally released in dvd format, the world will be a much better place. Personally I like watching bad movies, there is no shortage of them!

If you liked The Last Samurai, this movies makes Cruise's movies look like a grade school play. I've been looking for the DVD for over 6 years with no success. You cannot find a better war movie, even drama than this one, simply the best ever.

Inevitably people compare this to Kurosawa's works. While the characters are not as realized as the standard Kurosawa film, Heaven & Earth has superior choreography and costumes. Visually it appeals more than Kurosawa's work just because the editing and camera work is crisper and more active.
As far as direction goes, while Kurosawa is usually better it is not the difference between a master and apprentice. It's more like the difference between a legend and a master.

This is a somewhat difficult film to dissect. This indeed should be regarded as one of the great samurai films. I first saw this when I was 13 on Bravo Channel, and after 2 years of seeking it out, finally owned it on video.
This was the movie that got me my love for samurai movies. It is, however, bound to be tested against Kurosawa. Kurosawa's films, mined you this is coming from an historian, is based on the scrolls from the Japanese Warring Daimyo period; rivers of blood. You can notice, and this is most evident in his movie "Ran", almost literal rivers of blood flowing from the dead, almost to the point where it is disproportional for a human.
This is not sick delight behind the director, but a tribute to ancient Japanese art, and to reality if you think about it.
One thing you will also notice about Akira Kurosawa's films is the fact he avoids showing in depth melee scenes. Plenty of charges, barrages, arrow volleys, and men dying, but I can't remember too well people actually getting up close and clashing spears in "Ran" and "Kagemusha". That is where this movie has a strong point. You actually see combat. Granted this is where there is a check and balance between the two movies: "Ran" and "Kagemusha": Lots of blood, no combat
"Heaven and Earth": Lots of combat, no blood
Off of the direct comparison, this movie succeeds on many levels; it has great scenery (and I don't think the word "great" is giving this movie's scenery due justice), it has fantastic armor, and stunning, and I do mean, stunning and epic battle scenes.
Most people who have seen this film are fond of the musical score, and it does suit the film, but it's really a matter of musical taste. The soundtrack to "Kessen" (a Japanese-made PS2 game with a breathtaking Oscar-worthy musical score) has quite and serene music for the calm scenes, whereas this, during a quiet love scene, has music that seems somewhat obnoxious. When on surround sound, everything would be quiet except for chirping birds, and then the first note of a song would, randomly and unexpected, appear at full blast, like a soap opera effect, and more than one times it made me jump.
On the note of historical accuracy, from a person who has many years in the study of this period, I can say this movie follows what happened very well. The 4th Battle of Kawanakijama is almost exactly like it happened.
I do think the narration should have been in Japanese, some of the actors could have done a slightly better job, and yes, they could use some blood when stabbing someone or slitting their throats.
Overall, I can say this movie is among the great samurai films, and any collector or someone with interest like me should not go without it! This may not exactly be pleasing to say, a Lethal Weapon type of audience, but for people who can appreciate good cinema, and epic movies with powerful stories, this is a must have.

A visually stunning film with sharp cinematography, beautiful use of colors, and lush scenery. A true feast for the eyes. There are also plenty of battle sequences on a large grand scale that surpass what was seen in Kurosawa's RAN in scope, but not necessarily in intensity or emotional impact. Still, this film based on the infamous struggles between two great warriors(Takeda Shingen & Kagetora/Kenshin) should be required viewing for those into these types of films. Also, check out Kurosawa's KAGEMUSHA for his take on the conflict between Shingen and Oda Nobunaga. And if you'd like to re-inact these battles, check out the pc game SHOGUN:TOTAL WAR.

'Heaven and Earth' is laudable for the fact that it brings a chapter of Japan's Sengoku Period to life. What I found disconcerting was the use of the environs of Canada to set this movie in. While the shots are gorgeous, you know well you are NOT looking at Japan. I know there is little space to film such an epic there. However, I also must submit that Kurosawa was able to convey such a world and he filmed [to my knowledge] almost exclusively in Japan.

The battles between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin [Kagetora] truly are legendary. Some of the sub-plots are...fiction. As something of a student of Takeda Shingen, I have never come across a character such as the 'Lady Yae' shown in this film. Nor is there an account of 'Lady Usami Nami' in the history of Uesugi that I've read. I might have not seen the actual source if it is true, but I find it hard to believe that a devoted followers of Bishmonten [Uesugi] and Fudo [Takeda] would take up women for more than the obvious needs men have. The practice of 'male love' [a.k.a. 'shudo'] was far more common among the samurai of this period.
While Uesugi and Lady Nami's platonic relationship is better done, Takeda could have done better without the so-called Lady Yae in his retinue. Perhaps the director was attempting to balance Shingen's character. However, a Daimyo would have not been inclined to let such a woman into his ranks unless she had more than toy soldier-women to offer. There simply would have to be a solid, historical source for this to have been the case.

There are some truly striking scenes, but the final duel between Takeda and Uesugi is so false that it left me speechless. Takeda was reputed [by accounts] to have fought off Uesugi directly with his iron warfan, within the confines of his enclosure, in 1561. They never fought, as shown in the film, in the Chikumagawa River. There also were instances where the use of western-style saddles were all too prominently shown on the horses and that throws the viewer who has even a scant sense of Japanese history.

Heaven and Earth is not the worst of films about this period. Indeed, some of the shots and scenes are quite gorgeous to behold. Just don't come into it expecting historical accuracy. Save such discernment for good, written accounts by learned scholars.Samurai Banners