Sugata Sanshiro
Sugata Sanshiro

Movie spotlight

Sugata Sanshiro

1977
Movie
143 min
Japanese

The story of Sanshiro Sugata, a young man who wants to learn the new art of judo. A wise teacher reveals to Sanshiro that judo is not merely a means of combat nor a demonstration of physical skill, but an art which reveals the artist to himself.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Akira KurosawaGenres: Action, Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

In 19th century Japan, a young, hot-headed judo prodigy named Sugata Sanshiro arrives in Tokyo seeking to test his skills against the city's best dojos. He quickly earns a reputation for his raw talent but also his arrogance. As he navigates the competitive world of judo, Sanshiro must learn discipline, respect, and the true meaning of Bushido under the tutelage of his wise master, gaining formidable opponents and facing the challenges of honor and rivalry.

Critical Reception

Akira Kurosawa's 'Sugata Sanshiro' is generally praised for its dynamic action sequences and Kurosawa's masterful direction, though it is often considered a less significant work compared to his more epic films. While it showcases early Kurosawa talent, its reception is more subdued than his later masterpieces.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its kinetic energy and Kurosawa's early directorial flair.

  • Some find it a solid, if less ambitious, entry in Kurosawa's filmography.

  • The film is noted for its portrayal of traditional Japanese martial arts.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their consensus for this particular film is not widely available or aggregated.

Fun Fact

This 1977 version of 'Sugata Sanshiro' is actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa's directorial debut film from 1943, which was also titled 'Sanshiro Sugata'.

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