Etsushi Takahashi Movies
- 1989
This poorly received sequel to the classic 1957 movie The Bridge over the River Kwai, is also based on a true story, as told in the book by Joan & Clay Blair, Jr. This story begins where the previous one left off, with the blowing up of the marvelous bridge. Here, the Australian POWs are rounded up to be shipped by rail and sea to Japan to serve as slave laborers. They have many harrowing experiences and near-escapes. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Bottoms
- 1969
A self-proclaimed anarchist is one of many young people caught up in the moral conflict of personal freedom versus their responsibility to society and its needs. As Japan emerges from centuries under a feudal system, youthful rebellion and free thinking are the main concerns of many students. Past and present tense are combined and the main character is stabbed by his mistress. He begins to feel lost in the changing political and social climate of the times. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Toshiyuki Hosokawa, Mariko Okada, (more)
In this samurai tale, a brave warrior is told by the newly restored emperor that he must return to his home village and announce that there has been a tax cut. Unfortunately, it is a government ruse designed to ensure political control. When the warrior arrives in his home village, he discovers that it is being ruled by a wicked judge who has been forcing the people to pay incredibly heavy taxes. More trouble ensues leaving the warrior totally confused as to which side he should be one as neither seems to be very good. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A pair of luckless would-be warriors find themselves caught in the middle of a skirmish between rival gangsters in this darkly comic samurai film. Tabata (Etsushi Takahashi) and Genta (Tatsuya Nakadai) are two hungry ronin who meet in a windswept town which has fallen so deeply upon hard times that the proprietor of the only restaurant has committed suicide in her own dining room. Tabata is a former farmer who dreams of living the exciting life of a samurai, while Genta tried to give up the violent and nomadic life of a swordsman but hasn't had much luck finding other work. The village is dominated by a clan of yakuza who are caught up in a power struggle, and as the two factions split off and declare war on one another, the two new friends find themselves hired by differing sides -- Tabata as a samurai, Genta as a messenger. However, one of Tabata's first assignments is to assassinate Genta, even as his new pal offers him helpful hints on his newly adopted trade. Kiru (aka Kill!) was written and directed by Kihachi Okamoto, one of Toho's leading action directors during the 1960s, who earned a reputation for his strong but cynical perspective on the violence of men. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1967
A young woman who fears she will become like her lascivious mother tries to lead a normal life in this erotic melodrama. After she breaks up with her sculptor lover, she sleeps with her mother's paramour, and in spite of her conscious efforts, her worst fears are realized when she wakes up to realize she is just like her mom. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mariko Okada, Ko (Isao) Kimura, (more)
