Hiroshi Inagaki Movies

The adventure of Prince Arslan of Parse continues in the second episode of the Heroic Legend of Arslan video series. Prince Arslan and Baron Daryoon, hoping to free their people from the invading forces of Lusitania, meet with the leaders of the kingdoms that border the kingdom of Parse. Alliances and loyalties are established and put to the test. While the first episode was marked by epic warfare, this installment emphasizes political intrigue as the forces of good and evil alike vie for the throne of Parse. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide

Students of Japanese film lore will be overjoyed to encounter this documentary, which closely explores the life and film career of the actor Tsumasaburo Bando. It was made in 1979 by Shunsui Masuda but was only released on his death. Masuda was one of the last men to earn his living as a Benshi, narrating the stories of silent films and mouthing the lines for the actors. Noted Japanese film critic and historian Tadao Sato scripted the commentary and conducted numerous interviews with family, friends, and professional associates of the actor, whose career began in the silent film era with his role in Kosuzumetoge in 1924 and ended prematurely in 1953 with his appearance in Abare Shishi. Working as his own producer as early as 1925, the actor brought his own innovations to samurai battle scenes and contributed mightily to the development of jidai-geki, or historical pageants. Scenes from over a dozen of the actor's films are screened, and in one memorable scene, choreographer Ryu Kuze demonstrates noteworthy elements in Bando's staging of battle scenes. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Furin Kazan (AKA Samurai Banners) is based on the bestselling Japanese novel of the same name, written by Yasushi Inove. Toshiro Mifune plays Yamamoto, a physically impaired 17th century Samurai, whose wife and child have been massacred in a war. He signs on to advise a warlord, believing that the fellow has the strength to kill off all of the rival leaders and unify the nation, but he quietly objects to the man's pompous arrogance, sadism and self-centeredness. The assignment succeeds triumphantly as the men, working together, vanquish every competitor across the land. The warlord then approves his request to wipe out a neighboring ruler with whom they've made a pact; Yamamoto kills him, and then stops the man's princess daughter from committing seppuku. He falls in love with the heiress, and she with him, but the warlord wants her as a concubine. Yamamoto agrees to this request out of devotion to his leader, and even convinces the young woman to obey the request. After she conceives an illegitimate child with the warlord, Yamamoto devotes himself and his life to strengthening the power and reach of Japan and spreading the belief that the child is the rightful heir to the throne. He thus ensures that the baby will grow up to become the ruler of a unified nation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Japanese costumer set in the 17th century, three powerful families endeavor to keep three sacred scrolls from ever being pieced together in one place, as they contain the necessary information to overthrow the government. These scrolls are coveted by several greedy, power-mad clans who will do anything to get them; one of these clans even hires a samurai wizard to work magic on their behalf. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Also known as Sasaki Kojiro, this sprawling Samurai epic stars Kikunosuke Onoe as a humble peasant youth. The Japanese feudal system being what it is (or was during the time in which this film is set), Onoe evidently hasn't much of a chance of becoming a samurai warrior. But he does, and along the way enjoys all the creature comforts attending his rank and reputation. Such is Onoe's prowess with his weaponry and physical equipment that he seems invulnerable. But a climactic battle with fabled Samurai Miyamoto (Tatsuya Nakadai) proves that Onoe is as capable of bleeding and dying as any ordinary mortal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Japanese drama, an impoverished farmer's son sells himself to a rich merchant. His owner assigns him to care for his granddaughter's parrot. When the man invites his household on a cruise, the passengers are marooned on a tiny island. There the true natures of the men are revealed. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

One of director Hiroshi Inagaki's rare films set in Japan's medieval period that does not star Toshiro Mifune as a samurai, this engaging costume drama involves a group of bandits instead. The bandits come to a small town to hole up for awhile when the local priest mistakes one of them as a descendent of the town's principle clan, much greater in the past. Taking advantage of their supposed status, the bandits free the captive local ruler from virtual imprisonment in a large castle. They do what they can to help the villagers, but in the end, a rival clan becomes wary of their rising power and decides to jump into action. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This lively Japanese adventure is set in a construction camp where laborers are paid a pittance and nearly worked to death by cruel guards. The story centers on one fellow who falls in love with a woman working in the mess hall. The woman is also wooed by another worker. In the end, the two rivals settle their differences with flying axes. The hero wins, but then learns that the girl is married. He ends up confiding his escape plan to her and offers to take her and her husband with him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Mohei (Toshiro Mifune) is the samurai warrior who battles against the Portuguese arsenal of guns and cannons. With these newly introduced weapons, two families battle for control of a valuable land parcel in 17th-century Japan. This feature was made in 1961 but obviously introduced in America to follow up the success of Hell In The Pacific which stars Mifune, one of Japan's most world-renown thespians. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This well-wrought, visually stunning tale from Japanese mythology is directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and relates the adventures of a legendary Prince Yamato Takeru (Toshiro Mifune). The reason for those adventures is linked to the creation and/or discovery of the "three treasures" basic to the Shinto religion and the mythic origins of Japan (Yamato) and her emperors. These "three treasures" are a comma-shaped jewel, a mirror, and a sword. As the Prince goes about slaying dragons and surviving all manner of natural disasters -- earthquakes, volcanos, floods -- the heroic stories of how Japan and its imperial family came into being are told in epic style. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Tough and ready Mitsu, the rickshaw man, goes in for anything rough and tumble. His life changes, however, when he crosses paths with Toshio, a young boy who has injured himself. As thanks for helping the boy to the doctor, Toshio's parents, the Yoshiokas, invite Mitsu to dinner and he gladly accepts their offer. They become close and when Mr. Yoshioka dies from an illness, the family asks Mitsu to serve as the young boy's tutor. Mitsu does an exemplary job readying Toshio for school, instilling in him the honesty and honor which are so much a part of his own character. After Toshio leaves for school, Mitsu evidences an interest in Mrs. Yoshioka, but their difference in station keeps him from expressing his desire. Mitsu's repressed attraction for the lovely widow grows, driving him to his death at the film's climactic end. The Rickshaw Man is a sentimental favorite of Japanese cinema. ~ Brian Whitener, All Movie Guide

Samurai 3: Duel At Ganryu Island is the final movie in director Hiroshi Inagacki's trilogy following a samurai played by Toshiro Mifune. In this film, Mifune is challenged to a duel by his arch-rival (Koji Tsuruta). Before he fights the duel, Mifune is tested by a number of bandits and has to cope with the affections of two different women. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide