Movie #27: Released in 1954, directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, 124 minutes. New to me!

LetterBoxd Score: 5 stars

Another masterful reckoning with the misery of Japan in the pre-industrial era by Mizoguchi in a fable-like story. Evil times, evil times. Like Ugetsu, I found the ending absolutely wrenching, even if, in theory, this one has a happier ending (but yeah, only just). Coming right on the heels of Tokyo Story, this did feel a bit more melodramatic, and it took me a little while to settle into its vibe. But by the end, I was there.

Sansho depicts a bit more hope than Ugetsu. Zushio does free the slaves, banish Sansho, and burn his house down. Sansho’s son runs away to join the monks. But it’s still a fundamentally evil social system run by mostly bad people.

The sets and costumes are gorgeous. In the exterior scenes, with views to the horizon, I kept wondering if these were real – so well lit like a studio – or giant matte paintings. There’s a scene where Zushio comes over a ridge and there is a giant, apparently medieval, city there. Where did they dig that up? And the costuming, especially for the governing officials, is super elaborate.

Why would someone think it’s one of the ten greatest movies ever made?

It’s an epic; it’s about doing something good in a rotten society; it’s intensely emotional.

Next time: Seven Samurai