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Samurai Banners | 
 enlarge | Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
Actors: Toshiro Mifune, Yoshiko Sakuma, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yujiro Ishihara, Katsuo Nakamura
Studio: Animeigo
Category: Video
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $5.98
You Save: $4.00 (40%)
Used (7) from $5.98
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 49957
Format: Color, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Subtitled), Japanese (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 165
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 1565672712
UPC: 737187002724
EAN: 9781565672710
ASIN: 1565672712
Theatrical Release Date: June 24, 1969
Release Date: January 27, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Box and cassette are in good shape. Former rental, not rented much.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Stirring Epic Adventure! July 13, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
First, let me say this is a long movie complete with an actual intermission. If you pay close attention, you will be able to follow the plot, at least in the first half. I did really well, until Mifune and the lord (who both love the same woman) become monks complete with vows of chastity. Either this significant event was not explained adequately or my mind wandered at a crucil time. But, no matter. I liked the movie enough that I just accepted them as monks and went on with the story. Although I am not a student of Japanese history, I have learned some of the basics just by watching the films of Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Ozu and particularly those films starring Toshiro Mifune, my favorite actor. In this film, the color is brilliant, the music is outstanding, the costumes are magnificent and the acting, I think, is superb. However, since the film occurs over an approximate 20 year span, there are a lot of battles and much intrigue that happens during that time frame, and it can get confusing at times. Mifune's character is somewhat on the scheming underhanded side, but what does one expect in time of war? I do not see him as ruthless or cruel, just simply focused on his goal -- perhaps so much so that it eventually betrays him.
The AniMe version I own is great. The subtitles appear in different colors so that one can distinguish which character is speaking. Also, there are character summaries which I really recommend that you read before viewing the film. It will help immensely in understanding the plot, the time period, the political climate, etc. There is also a very interesting history about the time period that can be viewed, but I wasn't able to pause it as it was being presented. I found this disappointing since I like to think about and digest what I am reading as I go along, especially if one important event after another is being presentted. Even so, I am most happy with the DVD version I have.
Viewed strictly as an adventure epic and not even considering the fact that this film is based on actual events (I believe), the movie is highly entertaining. It is long, but the time flies by. The photography is really grand in scope, seeming to use hundreds or thousands of extras, long panoramic shots and beautiful horsemanship by the troops opposing each other.
If you are a Toshiro Mifune fan, you will undoubtedly enjoy seeing him in all his swaggering bravado -- although he does have a limp (which I'm not sure was explained or not). I have only watched the film once and find that repeated viewings of (almost) any film really enhance your enjoyment of it, since there is no way one can absorb everything the first time around.
 DVD Samuri Banners June 21, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really like most everything Toshiro Mifune appears in. I had the opportunity to meet him when both of us were a lot younger. You felt the integrity of the man when you were in his presence.
 samurai banners April 10, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is the first time I have purchased a japanese Samurai movie other than those by Kurosawa, and I was disappointed. I made the decision to buy based on one of these reviews which said it was on a par with the Kurosawa's.
To me the only redeeming factor is Mifune who I find fascinating - but the film was a poor immitation of any of those by Kurosawa. I felt it was slow, contrived and not at all grippng.
Had I not seen the others then maybe it would have been more watchable, but it was almost as if the director was copying Kurosawa style but frankly he was not good at it.
A Very Good Epic Samurai Film! January 2, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
"Samurai Banners," is an epic samurai drama film clocking in at almost 3 hours long. The film, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki, is set in Japan between 1543 to 1562. It is a time of constant strife. Some of the viewers noted that their DVD does not have subtitles. There must have been a problem with their versions, as the one I own has perfect subtitles, which are in different colors to allow the viewer to see who is talking. And although the film is long, it is definitely well worth the purchase. The legendary Toshiro Mifune gives a fine performance as Kansuke Yamamoto: One of Japan's great Generals during the wars of medieval Japan.
Kansuke Yamamoto (Toshiro Mifune) was a military strategist for the Takeda clan. And although the film is based on the life of Takeda Shinken, whose reputation is even greater today in Japan, than that of either Tokugawa or Toyotomi, the film gives a great look at his greatest warrior General: General Kansuke Yamamoto. The films climax is very good, where the battle of Kawanakajima [a historic battle in Japanese history] nearly cost the Takeda clan its power, due to a disastrous mistake by Kansuke Yamamoto. The costumes in the film are great, and compliment the great look of medieval Japan.
The film will give you the viewer a very good look at what the cause of the wars during medieval Japan were like, and why they were fought. Among the DVD specials inside the disc, include a biography of the films characters and another dealing with the wars of medieval Japan. And why they fought. It is advisable to view this prior to viewing the film, as it will give you the viewer a better understanding of the nature of these wars: an overview which will really help you understand the historic events of these times. Many viewers compare this film to Kurosawa's classics, and this is not fair. The film stands on its own merits. This is a very good film in its own right. I have all of Kurosawa's films, but there are other good films out there too. I recommend it for your DVD collection, it is a worthwhile film to own.
 Subtitle Trouble November 4, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Fine flick for its genre. I found that the subtitles do not play on my TV and seem to not be compatible with my DVD player; I couldn't yell you why, it's a fairly mainstream machine, and not being a Japanese speaker makes it a little tough to fully enjoy. The subtitles DO appear if I play the moive on my portable player or computer. Go figure.
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