Themes: Heroic Mission, Rise To Power, Obsessive Quests
Main Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Koji Tsuruta, Akihiko Hirata, Rentaro Mikuni, Daisuke Kato, Kuroemon Onoe, Kaoru Yachigusa, Mariko Okada
Release Year: 1955
Country: JP
Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
Musashi Miyamoto was the first entry in Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Ingaki's Samurai trilogy. Toshiro Mifune is Takezo, a good-for-nothing from the farming village of Miyamoto, who dreams of becoming a samurai in 17th century Japan. Over the course of the first part, Takezo evolves from being a man filled with rage and violence who is looked upon by others as a wild animal to being Musashi Miyamoto, a man yearning for a deeper understanding of himself and what it takes to be a true warrior. When first released in the US, Samurai 1 was "clarified" by the narration of William Holden, an actor with a long-standing fascination and affection for all things Japanese. Based on a mammoth novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, Musashi Miyamoto was followed by Duel at Ichijoji Temple and Duel at Ganyru Island . All three films were eventually combined into an epic single entity, Samurai Trilogy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
The first installment of Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai trilogy, Samurai 1: Musashi Miyamoto expertly balances action, plot, and character development, and perfectly sets the stage for the rest of the series. Some patience is required for the first half, and many of the secondary characters are not as complex as one would like, but there is a maturity to the film that goes beyond the Saturday matinee aspects of its plot. Mifune beautifully handles Takezo's transformation, and Inagaki's filmmaking skills are impressive, moving through the story with a relaxed rhythm that should not be underestimated. Toward the end, two seemingly irrelevant characters, Seijuro and Toji, also appear, and it is only in the second installment that their crucial importance becomes apparent. Samurai 1 apparently had some box-office success in the U.S. upon its release, and it received an honorary Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, back in the days when there was no regular competitive category. Its crossover appeal is evident, as its fluid, colorful approach to action is unlike anything Hollywood or Europe was producing at that time. ~ Bob Mastrangelo, All Movie Guide
Following the battle of Sekigahara, Takezo (Toshirō Mifune) and his friend Matahachi (Rentaro Mikuni) find themselves on the losing side. Instead of the grand victory and glory Takezo had anticipated, he finds himself a hunted fugitive. The pair seek shelter with a widow and her daughter. Both women attempt to seduce Takezo but are rejected. The widow then tells Matahachi that Takezo tried to assault her and convinces him to escort her and her daughter to Kyoto. Matahachi agrees even though he loves (and is betrothed to) Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa), a woman from his village.
Takezo returns to his village to tell Matahachi's family that he is still alive. Matahachi's mother doesn't believe him and he is arrested for treason. There is a village wide search for Takezo, organized by the lord. Even after using his relatives as bait, the villagers cannot catch Takezo.
Takezo is finally captured by the Buddhist priest Takuan Sōhō, who tells the lord that he must be allowed to use his methods to control him. The priest believes that he can straighten him out, but Takezo escapes with Otsu's help. Takezo is then captured again by the priest after finding out that Otsu has been taken to Himeji Castle. He is tricked and locked in a room in the castle for three years.
The end of the film shows Takezo being granted his samurai name 'Musashi Miyamoto.' He then leaves to search for enlightenment, leaving two messages for Otsu: "Soon I will be back" and "Forgive me."
Historical background
The film begins in the year 1600 with Tokugawa Ieyasu's victory in the battle of Sekigahara. The historical Miyamoto Musashi is believed to have fought in this battle.
