Kill! (The Criterion Collection)

This is another selection from  Criterion's Rebel Samurai collection .What a fun film! I didn't realize until it was over that it was based on the same story that Kurosawa adapted for  Sanjuro . As I was watching, some similarities did occur to me (scruffy-but-skilled protagonist with disdain for traditional samurai life; small group of samurai hiding out from corrupt official), but it is otherwise (and even in those similarities) a completely different story.The basic plot concerns a group of samurai who assassinate a corrupt official and then go into hiding, awaiting the arrival of the good official from the north who will come set everything right. As they are waiting, another corrupt official is trying to hunt them down. The two main characters come into town looking for work and food, and become involved on opposite sides.Tatsuya Nakadai plays the experienced and world weary Genta, and it's my favorite role of his yet. He's such an affable decent fellow, and his interactions with Hanjiro (Etsushi Takahashi) make up a large part of the charm of the movie. It's also very different from his role in Sanjuro, which is also very different from that in  Yojimbo  (that guy is in just about every samurai movie). Hanjiro is an aspiring samurai, a former farmer whose years of toil have made him very strong. He's not the brightest bulb, but he's enthusiastic and determined, despite Genta's constant warnings that samurai aren't all that great. The opening scene where the two of them meet in a desolate town, looking for food, is a perfect introduction that sets up the relationship and tone for the rest of the movie.It's a very funny movie, but it's black comedy to be sure. One of the earliest gags involves the image of a townsperson who has hanged herself. It's played for a laugh, and it works, but that's pretty dark. Like Sanjuro, Kill! doesn't care for the samurai values and has a good time deconstructing them.Kill! also has a great soundtrack. Most memorable is the spaghetti western styled guitar from the beginning of the film.Like the better spaghetti westerns, the movie features some great compositions, cuts, and editing. And a great score featuring a Morricone-esque guitar number at the beginning. And some great action (Genta knows his sword-play).As far as the disc itself, this Criterion disc sports a very nice transfer, good subtitling (only truly appreciated when you've had to endure bad subtitling), the original trailer and teaser, and an essay in the booklet.If you're interested in a black and white samurai movie that isn't all stern-faces and yelling, check this one out. This is one I'd show friends who were not up for a "serious" samurai film.

A decent film with western overtones as three ronin tackle a hot bed of criminal activity. It's a little unusual in that you have to puzzle out some of what's going on as the plot does get a touch complex in terms of who is doing what to whom, but it's good samurai action all the same.Made in the tradition of Yojimbo, this black and white film carries on the high caliber of Japanese film making for the samurai genre. Check it out.

This story is perfect! I just watched it and thought it was masterfully done. Totally unexpected! Definitely recommended if you can get a copy!

The story, the acting. Nakadai's performance one of his best. Like in Sword of Doom, his eyes convey so much intensity and sorrow when needed that hits you hard without needing dialog.

Fun film- applies the elements of a classic story, and intertwines it with Japanese and Spaghetti Western elements, while keeping the comedy subtle and un-distracting. Really enjoyed it. A great resource for Japanese language students- the spoken Japanese is clear and easier to understand for learners of the language.

Plenty going on, engaging characters, pretty girls, a good plot, swordplay, spears, arrows, and muskets. Tatsuya Nakadai is the glue that hold the whole movie together. He's seen it all before and tries his best to ward off trouble but it comes at him at every turn. Great entertainment!

Kill! is a hilarious comedy.

Adapted from the same story as Sanjuro, Chanbara fans will delight in this black and white samurai flick by director Kihachi Okamoto. For those of you who love Yojimbo and Tatsuya Nakadai, you'll want to get this one. Great mixture of comedy and action.

Well made, well acted, well reproduced. Well, get out and buy it if you like Samurai films.

Fab

Thank you!