Customer Reviews

Samurai II - Duel at Ichijoji Temple [VHS]

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

 

 

WHAT defines a man's greatness? Is it power and ambition, or something more? Part II of the magnificent Samurai Trilogy brims with action, force, kinetic energy, beauty and emotion. This film continues the saga of Musashi Miyamoto (performed by the venerable TOSHIRO MIFUNE) and his quest for perfection amidst the lives and loves that surround him.

The film begins with one of the most exciting scenes in the trilogy, in which Musashi duels with Chain-and-Sickle master Baiken using his trademark Two-Sword Stance. After the battle Musashi comes upon a priest who chides him for his lacking the chivalry and grace to match his power.

Much water has passed under Seijuro Bridge as Otsu (the lovely Kaoru Yachigusa) awaits for Musashi's return after three years -a testament to the Japanese virtue of loyalty. During her wait she comes upon the courtesan Akemi (Mariko Okada), who unfortunately also harbors feelings for Musashi, and the already-complicated romance becomes even more difficult as both vie for the same man's affection.

In his search of worthy opponents, Musashi makes enemies with Seijuro Yoshioka, head of one of Japan's most prestigious kendo schools -which in actuality has become little more than a band of thugs. Musashi's brave performance under pressure and growing reputation attract the man who will be his archenemy into the scene, the handsome yet deadly Kojiro Sasaki (played to perfection by Koji Tsuruta), a swordsman of unsurpassed skill whose trademark "Swallow-Cut" can slice a bird in flight!

The most awe-inspiring scene in the trilogy is Musashi's final battle against Seijuro's EIGHTY students: the greatest mismatch in history, AND YET he manages to defeat them and face off with the schoolmaster! Once victorious, Musashi prepares to deliver the coup-de-grace when he remembers the priest's words and the lessons of his new experiences. His soul became as polished as his sword. He spares Seijuro.

Hiroshi Inagaki shows his masterful abilities as director (or poet?) of this film. Breathtaking cinematography and color shows the beauty and spirit in nature, which parallel the actions and events in the lives of the characters. A memorable example is a scene of two sparrows singing together, which immediately precedes the reunion of Musashi and Otsu. Ikuma Dan's score is every bit as stirring and triumphant as for the first film.

The depiction of life and culture in 17th century Japan is rich and vibrant in this film, as is the evocative character development of each person. In addition to the superlative, complex storytelling, this motion picture is graced with a noble philosophy: One's greatness is not defined by action or ability as much as motive and intention. It is a testament to the human spirit. INCREDIBLE.

In this movie Musashi continues to polish his soul and find The Way. Now he has a purpose in his life and is rapidly becoming famous and sought after. He begins to learn that to be a Samurai involves more that just Kenjutsu, but also requires Kensho(knowing thyself).

Musashi also aquires an apprentice and a determined suitor. Both willing to follow him across Japan and back.

This movie is so great and so different from the other two, you must see this movie as well as the other two!

_Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple_ starts off exactly where _Samurai I: Miyamoto Musashi_ leaves off. Musashi, the former Takezo, wanders Japan in search of ways to improve his swordsmanship by challenging other skilled samurai to duels. At the beginning of the film, Musashi is fighting a warrior armed with a sickle and chain and, although Musashi is victorious, an old Buddhist monk says that Musashi failed as a Samurai because he lacks compassion for his enemy and that Musashi was too strong.

Musashi is dumbfounded by these words, but he continues on to Kyoto where he wants to challenge Yoshioka Seijuro to a duel. Seijuro, although the head of a school of swordsmanship, is actually more interested in receiving the attentions of Akemi,the same girl who tried to seduce Takezo in the first movie, however, when he learns that Musashi wants to fight him, he actually wants to do battle, but his underlings, knowing that there is no way for Seijuro to win in a fight against Musashi, try to keep him from fighting the travelling warrior.

Musashi, although his mind is completely on the future battle, is taken back when he runs into his old love Otsu, who has been searching for him for over a year. Although Musashi states that he loves his sword more that Otsu, she is determined to remain by his side. A battle of love and a battle of steel both wage war inside of Musashi.

This is a good movie, although I don't think that it as good as the first one, which has some pretty cool fight scenes, especially the part when Musashi takes on eighty members of the Yoshioka school. However, the key part is the appearanve of Sasaki Kojiro, Musashi strongest enemy.

This review is for the Criterion collection edition.

In part 2 Musashi "Takezo" Miyamoto has earned the reputation of the greatest swordsman in all of Japan. In this release, which has the most action sequences in it. Takezo singlehandedly takes on 80 samurais in battle. I will not say more about the plot, lest this review would have spoilers.

The film was also good for actor Toshiro Mifune who is regarded as one of the best Japanese movie actors of all time.

I will make this simple. I purchased this from AMAZON.COM and have YET TO REGRET IT! A wonderful sequel. More action, but more importantly, more of the maturing of the samurai warrior. If you order SAMURAI I, you MUST get Samurai II and III. Brilliant and heady. A great look into the Japanese psyche and, in turn, into what makes a human...well,...human.

Second part of director Hiroshi Inagaki's SAMURAI trilogy, DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE presents two of the best samurai fights of movie history. You have to see Toshiro Mifune defend himself against several dozens of adversaries in order to understand why this actor has become an international star.

DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE shows us what implies the life of a Samurai : strongness with the ability to be pitiful in peculiar occasions, ingenuity because the Samurai cannot count on his forces during his whole life and the sense of Honor. With such a commitment, there is scarcely a time for women. Miyamoto Musashi will have to face a courtesan, a loving young girl and his wife-to-be : don't be afraid, he won't succumb to them ! (after all, there is still the final part of the trilogy...).

DUEL AT ICHIJIJO TEMPLE is a little bit slower than the first part, with more talking and less wild purchases, but is nevertheless always entertaining (Jesus ! these coloured kimonos in Eastmancolor !). The images are not so flamboyant than those of MIYAMOTO MUSASHI but are still good. Don't forget that it's a 1955 movie.

A DVD dedicated to John Frankenheimer.

This second installment of the epic samurai trilogy starring Toshiro Mifune, has much more action than in the previous episode. And while one must view all of the episodes in order to get a sense of the film, and how director Hiroshi Inagaki is trying to develop the characters in the film, especially Miyamoto Musashi (Toshiro Mifune) this is still a very good film on its own merits. But the first and second films are only planting the seeds of this character development, which will fully emerge and develop in the final [and best in my opinion] episode of this great samurai trilogy. This second installment, "Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple," begins where the first episode left off.

As the headstrong samurai Miyamoto Musashi (Toshiro Mifune) attempts to become a great samurai, we see him battle many opponents, and vanquish them in pursuit of becoming a famous samurai. Moreover, by his challenging others in duels, he is also becoming more skilled. As this second episode clearly shows, the brutish form of combat that Musashi is employing in order to become a better samurai [such as challenging other skilled samurai] leads a Buddhist monk to admonish Musashi becaues he has no compassion, according to this monk. Hearing those lines reminded me of the film "Sword of Doom," in which the antagonist, Tatsuya Nakadai's sword was an extension of his personality. Although, the two characters are a world apart in terms of their personalities, they both use their swords as an extension of who they are, or want to become.

For Miyamoto Musashi, his entire goal of becoming a great samurai is obscured by the fact that he lacks compassion for those he has slain in his duels. And although Miyamoto Musashi is shocked to hear these words, he continues to Kyoto, where he wants to challenge Yoshioka Seijuro. Seijuro is the head sensei of a swordmanship school; and killing him in a duel will go a long way to establishing Musashi's credentials as a samurai with a great reputation. Musashi also runs into Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa), or should I write, Otsu runs into Musashi, who tells Otsu that he loves his sword more. However, she still remains loyal to Musashi. This is a decent film, however, it is not as good as the first, and of course the final episode is the key film in the trilogy, and by far the best. But this is still a very good episode. But it is the arrival of Kojiro Sasaki (Koji Tsutura) that is of great importance in this episode, which will reveal itself in the final episode. Recommended. Watch them all! More importantly, you will be pleasantly surprised with the final episode.

DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE is Hiroshi Inagaki's second installment in his samurai trilogy starring Toshiro Mifune. In the first movie, `Miyamoto Musashi,' Mifune played a headstrong young who fled his quiet village to find adventure and fame as a warrior. DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE joins Musashi in mid-career. He's a stud samurai warrior now, not too sure how he made it to that point, but he's a professional warrior whose weapon is the sword and whose code of conduct and strict and exacting.

I watched the first installment in this trilogy recently and, to be honest, didn't understand what all the fuss was about. I'm beginning to get it now. DUEL is a tighter movie than its predecessor, its plot (vanquish the enemies from the local fencing school) is more straightforward and linear, Mifune's character's struggle for self control is more understandable, and many of the characters from part one return without the burden of having to establish who they are or how they fit into the story.

Even the action sequences, particularly the sword fights, are better staged and choreographed here, although they don't receive the loving indulgence given to such sequences today. In fact, we leave Musashi during one big fight scene, jump cut to a different location that he enters after defeating his opponent. Leaving him during such times, coupled with the fact that the movie doesn't show much of any of his training, still strikes me as a little odd. If you're looking for a slam-bang cut-`em-up pass this one by. The focus is on Musashi and his battle for control, and his striving attempts to `polish his soul' and make of himself a noble samurai. Interesting, unusual, and engaging.

I have no problem with the item I ordered. However, I am very dissatisfied with the service. The shipment took forever (over a month). I wanted to give it to my friend as a gift, and I got really frustrated.

Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai II Duel at Ichijoji Temple picks up where the first film left off. Takezo (Toshiro Mifune) is now on his travels to learn the way of the Samurai. The film opens with the framous ball and chain fight with the warrior Baiken Shishido in which Takezo emerges victorious. However he is chided by a priest for being too tough. The way of the Samurai also requires chivalry and the use of one's mind in addition to physical force.

Takezo then fights with students of the Yoshioka school. After defeating many he asks to fight the school's master Seijuro Yoshioka (Akihiko Hirata). Yoshioka is the lover of Akemi (Mariko Okada)who still pines for Takezo).

Much of this second installment finds our hero on the road to enlightenment. He needs to learn that more than physical strength is needed to become a full Samurai. He leans that it also takes affection and humility. He is taught this by the Geisha Yoshino (Michiyo Kagure). The second installment also introduces the mysterious figure of Kojiro Sasaki(Koji Tsuruta) who seems the orchestrate the violence that surrounds Takezo.

The second fim is presented by Criterion in standard definition with a full screen aspect ratio. The print shows a great deal of wear which is rare for a Criterion release. The disc features a trailer as its only bonus feature. This is a great film that makes the viewer long to complete the story in Samurai III.