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| Rashomon - Criterion Collection [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC) | ![Rashomon - Criterion Collection [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LR8-EsqDL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Akira Kurosawa
Actors: Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki
Studio: Criterion
Category: DVD
Buy Used: £17.00
New (17) from £17.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 27878
Format: Ntsc, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Subtitled
Languages: Japanese (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Running Time: 88 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: PMIDRAS040D
ISBN: 0780024591
UPC: 037429161821
EAN: 9780780024595
ASIN: B00003CXC6
Theatrical Release Date: 1951
Release Date: March 26, 2002
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: New sealed
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Amazon.co.uk Review
This 1950 film by Akira Kurosawa is more than a classic: it's a cinematic archetype that has served as a template for many a film since. (Rashomon's most direct influence was on a Western remake, The Outrage, starring Paul Newman and directed by Martin Ritt.) In essence, the facts surrounding a rape and murder are told from four different and contradictory points of view, suggesting the nature of truth is something less than absolute. The cast, headed by Kurosawa's favourite actor, Toshiro Mifune, is superb. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Great film, lousy print November 10, 2008
This is a five star film of course, but this is a two star presentation. How the BFI no less can issue it (and without real extras) is beyond me. A scratched and fuzzy image, and crackly sound track. Avoid.
 one of the best August 3, 2008
This is actually a combination of two Rynosuke Akutagawa stories - 'Rashomon' which is based around the characters talking under the gate in the rain and 'In a Bamboo grove' which is the tale of the murder. Kurosawa manages to make every second of this story magical, whether it's the footage of a man taking a simple walk through the forest of the old lady having an out of body experience. A very rewarding film, all the performances are excellent, in particular that of the bandit. All of Kurosawa's films are excellent but this has to be one of the best.
"If men don't trust each other, this earth might as well be hell" June 5, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I usually watch many kinds of different movies, but I wasn't a fan of old Asian movies, at least not until a friend lent me this beautiful classic, directed by Akira Kurosawa. Now I know what I was missing...
"Rashomon" (1950), shot in black and white, is nothing short of stunning. The first scenes show us a priest and a woodcutter taking refuge in an old temple, in order to escape from the heavy rain. A third man shows up, and they start talking about a recent crime that troubles them. Despite the fact that these men were at the trial in which those involved were judged, they don't have a clue regarding what happened, due to the fact that they hear very different versions of the events that took place that fateful day. Will the truth ever be found out? And is there such a thing as truth, or an objective point of view?
This is the first film by Kurosawa I have watched, but it won't be my last. Highly recommended ! And... thanks, Ruben :)
- Belen Alcat, June 2007 -
Required viewing at most film schools April 10, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In the Bible, Pilate asks, "What is truth?" and, as Roger Bacon puts it, "would not stay for an answer."
I felt a bit the same way after seeing this remarkable film by Japan's celebrated film maker, Akira Kurosawa. It is set in 12th century Japan, and while most viewers would say it examines the nature of truth and finds it slippery, I think it more properly examines the nature of the feudal Japanese society.
We have as representatives of that society, a priest (Minuru Chiaki) and a woodcutter (Takashi Shimura) sitting out a rain storm in a place called Rashomon. It might pass for a ruined Greek temple except that its pillars and roof are made of wood. The priest and the woodcutter declare that they just can't understand it. They shake their heads and stare at the ground. Along comes a commoner (Kichijiro Uedo), a cynical man who asks what it is that they cannot understand.
They have witnessed an investigation into the death of a samurai, Takehiro (Masayuki Mori). He is in some ways the equivalent of a medieval knight. He has a horse and lady, Masako (Machiko Kyo). The accused is an infamous outlaw named Tajomaru (played brilliantly by Toshiro Mifune, who obviously had a lot of fun with the part). He tells his story. He admits to having his way with the lady, but lets the court know that she liked it so much that she began to embrace him while her husband was tied up watching. Afterwards he says that she insisted that they fight over her. Tajomaru obliges. He cuts the rope holding Takehiro and they sword fight. Tajomaru wins.
Next the wife tells her story. It is different of course. This causes the court to get a medium (Fumiko Honma) to tell the story from the point of view of the dead Takehiro. His story is different yet again. Finally the woodcutter reveals to the priest and the commoner that he saw the whole thing, and he then gives his version, again different of course.
The commoner has some terrifically cynical lines. Here are three:
"It's human to lie. Most of the time we can't even be honest with ourselves."
(To the priest:) "Not another sermon! I don't mind a lie if it's interesting."
"Man just wants to forget the bad stuff, and believe in the made-up good stuff. It's easier that way."
He speaks for the natural or animalistic man.
His counterpoint, the priest, opines, "If men don't trust each other, this earth might as well be hell."
He speaks for moral man.
Near the end of the film a baby is discovered crying. The woodcutter, who has five or six children of his own, takes the baby home.
He represents civilized man.
Masako represents the samurai's view of the nature of women when she is heard to say, "A man has to make a woman his by his sword."
What impressed me most about this film is the way Kurosawa was able to create an emotional atmosphere in each of the sittings. "In the Grove" we feel the trees and the light that sparkles through the leaves, and the disturbed serenity. At Rashomon in the rain we feel the men isolated and waiting, and in the sterile court scene we feel the severity of the tragedy.
PRINT. February 11, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
MASTERPIECE! I give this top stars for content, storyline and acting. BUT.....no stars for this dreadful BFI print. Scratchy to say the least. If you are going to relese classic movies PLEASE give them the clean-up they deserve. Shame on you BFI.
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