#15: INAGAKI, Hiroshi: The Samurai Trilogy / Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)

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INAGAKI, Hiroshi: (Japan)
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple [1955]
Spine #15
DVD/Blu-ray


Toshiro Mifune furiously embodies swordsman Musashi Miyamoto as he comes into his own in the action-packed middle section of the Samurai Trilogy. Duel at Ichijoji Temple furthers Miyamoto along his path to spiritual enlightenment as well as further from the arms of the two women who love him: loyal Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) and conniving yet tragic Akemi (Mariko Okada). The film also brings him face to face with hordes of rivals intent on cutting him down, especially his legendary rival Kojiro (Koji Tsuruta). The titular climax is one of Japanese cinema's most rousingly choreographed conflicts, intensified by Ikuma Dan's triumphant score.

103 minutes
Color
Monaural
in Japanese
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2004
Director/Writers


Hiroshi Inagaki was 50 when he directed Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple.
Screenplay by Tokuhei Wakao and Inagaki.
From Hideji Hôjô’s adaptation of Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.
The Film


The Extras

 The Booklet

Commentary

Video tribute

Documentary 1

Documentary 2

Documentary 3

Controversial altered ending

Theatrical trailer

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