[MIFUNE: THE LAST
SAMURAI screens Thursday February 2nd at 6:30 pm and Saturday February 4th
at 9:15 pm at the Cleveland Cinematheque.]
Review by Bob Ignizio
Known primarily for his roles in Akira Kurosawa's classic
films SEVEN SAMURAI, YOJIMBO, and RASHOMON, Toshiro Mifune was one of the most iconic movie stars of
all time. He had a larger than life presence, yet his performances often
contained great subtleties as well. Hoping to follow in his father's footsteps
as a photographer, his plans were derailed by World War II. He served in his
country's military, where he often ran into trouble with his superiors. When he
later found fame and fortune as an actor, he displayed a love of fast cars and
hard drink, all too often mixing those passions with disastrous results.. You would
think the life of a guy like this would make for an interesting documentary.
And maybe it would. Unfortunately, MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI isn't that film. And perhaps that film
can't be made. For starters, Mifune is dead (he passed away in 1997). So is
Akira Kurosawa, the director he is most associated with. Also no longer with us
is Mifune's wife. And either these people simply didn't do television or
radio interviews, or the makers of THE
LAST SAMURAI were unable to get permission to include any such materials in
their film.
