Product Details

• Actors: Toshirô Mifune, Shirley Yamaguchi, Yôko Katsuragi, Noriko Sengoku, Eitarô Ozawa
• Directors: Akira Kurosawa
• Writers: Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima
• Producers: Sojiro Motoki, Takashi Koide
• Format: Black & White, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homevision
• VHS Release Date: February 19, 2002
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0780023455
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,207 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #14 in	Video > Classics > International > Japan
  #23 in	Video > Art House & International > Asian Cinema > Japan > Drama

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Scandal could be considered the last film of Akira Kurosawa's early career, and in part a thematic rehearsal for his next film, the internationally successful Rashomon. Scandal is more generically melodramatic, but like Rashomon it deals in the nature of truth and the consequences of falsehood. It's also a personal film; Kurosawa fully intended this harsh attack on foul ethics in yellow journalism, for he had recently been romantically linked to an actress in Japanese scandal-rags. Here, the story involves a successful painter (Toshirô Mifune) and a popular singer (Yoshiko Yamaguchi) who become embroiled in public scandal after an innocent photo is published as "proof" of their secret romance. The singer feels helpless and remains passive; the painter decides to pursue a lawsuit (giving Mifune a chance to flaunt his intimidating presence).

The film switches gears--and focus--with the introduction of a rather pathetic lawyer (the great Takashi Shimura) who takes Mifune's case to court. He's a sad but well-meaning man whose devotion to his chronically ill daughter (and constant need for money) leaves him vulnerable to corruptive influence, making Scandal an engrossing study of moral ambiguity and misguided zeal. It's surprising to see how maudlin Kurosawa can be in his handling of the sickly daughter, and certainly Kurosawa is guilty of total imbalance in his rabid treatment of the press. Still, this is a splendid film, rich with detail about postwar Japan and blessed by an abundance of superb performances, most notably that of Shimura, who would later achieve greater prominence in Ikiru and Seven Samurai. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description
Greed, dishonesty and scandal are at the heart of this dark comedy from Academy Award™ winning director, Akira Kurosawa. The brilliant Toshiro Mifune (Stray Dog, Seven Samurai) portrays a sensitive young artist dragged through the mud by a pulp entertainment magazine after an innocent encounter with a pop singer. Another Kurosawa regular, Takashi Shimura (Ikiru, Rashomon) is the corrupt yet sympathetic lawyer hired to sue the opportunistic tabloid editors. This highly entertaining satire criticizes the same inhumanity Kurosawa placed on trial a year later in his international smash hit Rashomon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten Classic, December 15, 2006

By	O. Elmore (Louisiana USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a film duo, Shimura and Mifune have a chemistry that is unmatched, and Scandal's themes are perfect holiday fare. I watch this film every season, right after A Christmas Carol.

4.0 out of 5 stars the story line is only part of the story, November 19, 2008

By	D. Aiken "social observer" (Eastern Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

1950 Japan was still reeling in the after effects of their defeat but average life must and did continue. This movie was advertised as a light comedy but it is,in fact a profound view of the average life of many within the Janese society still trying to find themselves in a whole new world. What was not previously mentioned is a scene when a Japanese opera star sings Silent Night and another that has drunken bar goers try to sing Auld Lang Sang, however spelled. The storyline is one matter, peek at daily life in an era we have seldom seen filmed at the time it happen is quite another. Most highly recommended.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good film that gives u look into past pop culture in Japan, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

The movie was pretty classic with a great plot going and interesting characters. The movie was hopeful and moving, and at many times, funny and thoughtful. the thing that bothered me was the ending. It left u wanting more. And there was a development within the movie that never really went through. Buy the movie and u'll see.