This is the first Japanese play I have ever watched. By the end of it, I was so impressed that I felt I had to google it. It turns out that it's a play by a theatre troupe since 1990 and it has been performed every 7 years. The 2011 version and 2013 version are actually identical.
There are many characters in this play and each has his/her own story. Loosely based on history, at the center are three samurais whose master warlord was murdered and they were reunited under entirely different circumstances. You could nitpick the storyline somewhat, but overall, it's a masterpiece and reminds me of Shakespeare plays with its richness of characters, the tragically lost soul and lives, betrayal and loyalty - it's universal.
What really made this film a gem, besides artfully executed music, staging and lighting, are the performances by all the actors. Of them all, Mirai MORIYAMA and Taichi SAOTOME especially stood out. I would call both of them artists, not mere actors. By googling I learned mostly from Chinese sources (I can't read Japanese) Moriyama is originally a dancer while Saotome, performing on stage since he was 4 years old, is a phenomenon of "once in a hundred years" as he's so acclaimed in Japan for his ability to play traditional Japanese female stage roles. The various sword fight scenes are simply delicious to watch. The most mesmerizing performance occurred when Moriyama managed to convince Saotome to join him.
I appreciate that Netflix made this film available in the first place. They uploaded 6 versions in total. I watched nearly all of them and I have to say the 2011/2013 version is the best one.
In 2017 Bird version, Moriyama and Saotome played the same characters with different interpretation - but equally mesmerizing and marvelous compared to the 2011 version. I literally rewatched their interaction of Bird and 2011/2013 versions quite a few times and compared them. Too bad the leading character was too weak in the Bird version or it'd be equally good with extra musical element.
There are many characters in this play and each has his/her own story. Loosely based on history, at the center are three samurais whose master warlord was murdered and they were reunited under entirely different circumstances. You could nitpick the storyline somewhat, but overall, it's a masterpiece and reminds me of Shakespeare plays with its richness of characters, the tragically lost soul and lives, betrayal and loyalty - it's universal.
What really made this film a gem, besides artfully executed music, staging and lighting, are the performances by all the actors. Of them all, Mirai MORIYAMA and Taichi SAOTOME especially stood out. I would call both of them artists, not mere actors. By googling I learned mostly from Chinese sources (I can't read Japanese) Moriyama is originally a dancer while Saotome, performing on stage since he was 4 years old, is a phenomenon of "once in a hundred years" as he's so acclaimed in Japan for his ability to play traditional Japanese female stage roles. The various sword fight scenes are simply delicious to watch. The most mesmerizing performance occurred when Moriyama managed to convince Saotome to join him.
I appreciate that Netflix made this film available in the first place. They uploaded 6 versions in total. I watched nearly all of them and I have to say the 2011/2013 version is the best one.
In 2017 Bird version, Moriyama and Saotome played the same characters with different interpretation - but equally mesmerizing and marvelous compared to the 2011 version. I literally rewatched their interaction of Bird and 2011/2013 versions quite a few times and compared them. Too bad the leading character was too weak in the Bird version or it'd be equally good with extra musical element.