Streaming Gems: Rashomon (1950)
Photo from The Criterion Collection
From Shane Conto
Why is Akira Kurosawa one of the all time great filmmakers whose name comes up frequently in conversations about the essential filmmakers? Kurosawa understood so much about the possibilities of film. The storytelling. The visual expression. The variety of perspectives and genres. Kurosawa will always be connected with samurai films as there are few filmmakers who have created them as impressively as him. Even within this type of cultural expression, there are so many different types of stories to be told. War films. Action films. Mysteries. Thrillers. Horror. Few filmmakers have leveraged feudal Japan as well as Kurosawa. That being said, one of his crowning achievements is Rashomon.
What makes this film standout in the vast samurai catalog of Kurosawa? This is a murder mystery. This is a layered film that captures the different perspectives of all involved. Long before The Last Duel or any other films that utilize this specific storytelling convention, Kurosawa frames the death of a samurai through the words of his wife, the suspected killer, a witness, and the ghost of this samurai himself. For a film that is so lean (under 90-minutes) and that basically retells the same story four times, this is incredibly compelling. This is such a bold storytelling approach and it creates a truly unique and timeless cinematic experience that feels bold and ambitious compared to most films that have been released 75 years later. The way that Kurosawa is able to present the “same” events multiple times with varying approaches and details is masterful. Few filmmakers could take this concept and make it this engaging and compelling to watch.
Outside of the daring storytelling, what else does Kurosawa bring to the table that makes this film so legendary? For those who have experienced any of his work before understands that Kurosawa was a technically masterful filmmaker who understands the medium of film. From just a basic short of trees, we see the beauty of nature that this film captures before such heinous violence bastardized the experience. The visceral nature of the “action” which feels much more like violence on screen. Much more of a Sicario feel than a John Wick approach to violence. This is not meant to entertain us. What Kurosawa is able to capture is frightening and shocking. The visceral and raw feel of the violence is filled with awkwardness which stands out with its authenticity. Every frame of Rashomon feels so specific and meaningful thanks to the great eye of Kurosawa. The cinematic experience is worth your time and just elevates more from the story, mystery, and structure.
But what is the final piece that truly makes Rashomon so great? This cast. This is a Kurosawa film so you certainly expect to see the face of Japanese acting legend Toshiro Mifune. The manic energy and magnetic presence of Mifune is a key piece to Tajomaru, the bandit of our story. You struggle to look away from him every moment because he is just that compelling. Few Japanese actors have the same type of pedigree of Mifune but Takashi Shimura is another legend of the screen and his approach as the Woodcutter (our witness) make use feel like he is telling the truth. Machiko Kyo and Masayuki Mori both deliver impactful performances as the wife and husband of the story. What is most compelling is that these actors must portray something completely different character and behavior wise depending on the perspective they are portraying on screen.
What do you think of when you hear “samurai film”? You might expect an action filled thrill ride. But that is not Rashomon. Similar to High Noon for the western, this takes a completely different approach to an iconic genre. This is one of the most unique elements of Japanese culture that has become a significant piece of cinema. This feudal setting is ripe for all types of stories and Kurosawa understood that more than anyone. This is a towering achievement in filmmaking, storytelling, and acting. Rashomon is a classic and iconic film from a cinematic great. This is the type of film that you should experience for sure.
Rashomon is streaming on Criterion Channel.
