Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)
After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing. To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.
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A waste of 90 minutes of my life
I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
OK. First of all, I am huge Toshiro Mifune fan. I am also a huge...and I mean huge Musashi fan. And lastly I have seen plenty of Samurai films. But I have watched Samurai 2: Ichijôji no kettô twice now, and I just can't stomach it. It is perhaps one of the most clichéd samurai films I have ever seen. The story seems to be based on the mystical Miyamoto Musashi, rather than a more realistic character. In addition, there is so much thick, syrupy melodrama and love triangles that it really hinders the story from flowing well. Not to mention it often takes away energy from some of the action scenes.Mifune really makes this film bearable. Koji Tsuruta as Kojiro Sasaki is also outstanding and commands plenty of respect on screen. However, some of the other actors are mediocre at best.There is much to be said about old Samurai cinema, and the way they glorified and really elevated these noblest of warriors. But Ichijôji no kettô just covers it in a thick melodramatic goo and wraps it in toilet paper.In addition, the film has very bad lighting, plenty of anachronisms, continuity problems and poor editing. Once again, Toshiro Mifune as Miyamoto Musashi is my personal hero, Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior...but was there ever! a less fitting movie for this cinematic giant.RE-MAKE!
My view of this early Musashi trilogy is strongly coloured by the far-superior 1960's series of five. The first in this 1950's trilogy was a shattering disappointment. With Japan's greatest actor playing one of Japan's greatest folk heroes, how could you miss ? Well, the first one was flat. The pace was slow, and Mifune's exploding energy was kept well under control. Shame ! This second instalment corrected many of the problems of the first. The action is staged much better (with one caveat : see below), Mifune gets to be ferocious, as well as express a range of other emotions, including something close to love. The story is a bit disorienting, as it shows events in a different order to the 1960s series, but it still works well. The women throw themselves at our hero at a much faster rate, which gets things moving along nicely.Nevertheless, I have marked down this movie significantly for the incredible stupidity of setting most of the action scenes in the dark. Director, what were you thinking ?! Instead of having the duels at six in the morning, move them to seven or use a moonlit night. Hell, what a waste.
"Duel at Ichijoji Temple" is one of the greatest samurai films I have seen. It is the second part of the trilogy about Japan's most famous and arguably greatest swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, author of the book "Five rings". Mifune is again superb as the lone wolf hero who is torn between his love to the orphan girl Otsu and his own samurai call. Koji Tsuruta was unknown to me before this and was a pleasant surprise as the charming, ambitious and cunning Kojiro Sasaki, who later becomes Musashi's principal rival. Daisuke Kato, one of the Seven Samurai, makes a fun appearance as one of the most loathsome characters in the movie and the trilogy.The actresses playing Akemi and Otsu were quite impressive as well.Hiroshi Inagaki was a highly capable director and proves that clearly here. His attempt to cross swordfighting action with melodrama works very well. The photography is excellent and is one of the real treats of this movie. The scenery was even more spectacular in the third film, but here it doesn't disappoint either. The ending might disappoint those waiting for a happy end and to see Musashi and Otsu get together at last. It is a bit of a letdown, but it also makes you more eager to see the third and final part. There is nothing to criticize here, those who do are missing the point and shouldn't have seen the film in the first place.10/10
Every woman he meets, falls in love with him.Every samurai he meets, meets his sword.Truly epic in every way, just see it.