Samurai Trilogy
Samurai 1
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
Cast:Toshiro Mifune, Rentaro Mikuni, Kuroemon Onoe, Kaoru Yachigusa
With his closest friend, Matahachi, Takezo (the town's wild, orphan kid) leaves his village to join an army on its way to battle. After their side loses, they seek shelter in the isolated home of a widow, Oko, and her daughter, Akemi. Oko seduces Matahachi, who forgets his betrothal to the virtuous Otsu. Oko, Matahachi, and Akemi go to Kyoto, but Takezo returns to the village. Matahachi's family rejects Takezo's report and has him arrested for treason. A monk rescues him from death and sentences him to the study of the samurai code. Otsu and Takezo fall in love, and she promises to wait for him when he sets off on the road as a knight errant.
1954 Color FullScreen Japanese with English subtitle
Samurai 2
Directors: Hiroshi Inagaki
Cast:Toshiro Mifune, Koji Tsuruta, Mariko Okada, Kaoru Yachigusa, Michiyo Kogure, Mitsuko Mito.
After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing.
To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.
1955 Color FullScreen Japanese with English subtitle
Samurai 3
Cast:Kaoru Yachigusa, Koji Tsurata, Mariko Okada, Takashi Shimura, Toshirô Mifune
Part Three finds Musashi reflecting on his place in the world after winning sixty duels and becoming the stuff of legend across Japan. His young enemy, Kojiro, continues to pursue him, however.
While Musashi regrets the death he has caused during his travels and intends to become a farmer, Kojiro thirsts for more and learns the way of the Shogun. The two enemies finally get the chance to meet and settle their score on the small island of Ganryu.
1956 Color FullScreen Japanese with English subtitle
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