I had no idea what to expect when I sat down to watch "Twilight Samurai." However, I was immediately enjoying this lovely film by Yoji Yamada. Listening to lectures on Japanese history helped me understand the storyline (in its historical context), although I still have questions as to "why what happened" in terms of clans and power plays.
Sieibei Iguchi, the samurai, is a widower who hurries home every evening and does not go out on the town with his fellow samurai colleagues. He takes care of his two small daughters as well as his senile mother, Iguchi does not like his uncle who is embarrassed by his nephew's "poetic" sensibilities and urges him to marry "anyone". In the end Iguchi does marry but for love, and only after he has been called upon and proven his bravery with two duels, one to the death of an opponent.
I found it interesting that during this time period (late middle 1800s) the samurai's most prized possession was his sword, but they were training to learn how to fight with rifles. We learn at the end of the movie that the samurai's days were ending Iguchi fought in these battles (Boshin wars?). I still am confused as to how all this fell into place - but am eager to continue learning more.
This is a movie I could show to my middle school students - but it probably moves too slowly -- perhaps clips from the film.
Pat Lamkie
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Twilight Samurai
01/16/2012 01:41 PM
#1
Twilight Samurai
I must admit this isnt a movie I would have chosen to watch,but 5 minutes into Twilight Samaurai I sat intensly ,reading each english caption from beginning to end.
The main character, Iguchi Seibei a low ranking Samaurai during the 1800's becomes a widower and feels obligated to sell his sword(prized possession) to afford a grand funeral for his wife.
Iguchi is teased by,his fellow Samaurai's when he's unable to "hang out" with them afterdark because his responsibilties were to care for his senile mother and 2 young daughters.Hence, the other samaurai's nicknamed Seibei the Twilight Samaurai. His brother insisted him to marry anyone as long as he had a wife.
After 2 duels,his childhood friend Tomeo returned to town. Seibi's rise to a higher social standing allowed him to marry his childhood sweetheart. He died 3 yrs after the death of his last opponent fighintg in a civil war.
This was a very interesting movie and is good to show the lifestyle of a Samaurai who has to overcome major challenges in his life. Although, im not sure if the students would understand the english subtitles.
edited by asilvestre on 1/16/2012
I really enjoyed watching this film and as you noted I was not quite sure what to expect when the film first started. Also, while I enjoyed the film I definitely think it best if used in the classroom to use only segments. The film’s brilliance lies in its subtitles and unless students are ready to engage this film at its pace they might check out. Nonetheless, the film shows a side of the samurai that I feel is hardly shown (and this maybe because of my only limited knowledge of films dealing with samurais).