Akira Kurosawa’s
"Sanjuro" has it all: action, intrigue, gloriously
staged swordplay and Toshiro Mifune as antihero (pictured).
This 1962 follow-up to Kurosawa’s "Yojimbo" – playing
at BAMcinematek on April 15 and 16 at 4:30, 6:50 and 9:10 pm
– which introduced audiences to Mifune’s world-weary samurai,
is faster-paced and more lighthearted than its predecessor.
But the ironic "Sanjuro" is also trenchant, bravura
filmmaking. Only Kurosawa could use a serenely beautiful shot
of camellias floating downstream as a prelude to an attack, and
the final bloodletting retains its shocking power.
Mifune’s poker-faced swordsman became so cliched that John Belushi
parodied him to brilliant effect; but here Mifune is a towering
presence, strolling through the proceedings as an unintentionally
hilarious guide.
Kurosawa (who died in 1998) has gone in and out of favor, but
at his best, he showed how movies could speak to audiences with
stunning directness. The new Criterion DVD of his breakthrough
"Rashomon" contains an appreciation by Robert Altman,
much like the Criterion DVD of Kurosawa’s "The Hidden Fortress"
has George Lucas (who pilfered that movie for "Star Wars")
delivering hosannas.
That’s fine, but nobody needs "name" directors to confirm
that Kurosawa is among our greatest filmmakers. Just watch the
films.
BAMcinematek is located at 30 Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Place
and tickets are $9, $6 seniors and students. For more information,
call (718) 636-4100.
BIG-SCREEN KUROSAWA
