Well Seven Samurai, yojimbo, sanjuro, basically anything with Toshiro Mifune. Though be warned this is the territory of film aficianados, and samurai buffs. Nowhere near as stylised as "Kill Bill". But they're the classics, all directed by Akira Kurosawa. Sanjuro may be your best bet.
Classics: Yoyimbo, Seven Samurai, Ran (basically any samurai movie by Akira Kurosawa). Silly, but fun: Shogun Assassin (US name). It's based on a brilliant manga called Lone Wolf and Cub. Probably as gory as the game... I'm sure others will chime in.
they made a decent anime for Seven Samurai as well not to mention that Magnificent Seven used the theme only made it a western
Holy effing crap Lone wolf is amazing. I'm not much of a manga or anime guy, but if anyone EVER gets the chance to read Vagabond, your life will be changed indefinitely. A masterpiece that trancends the media its written in. The story of miyamoto musashi.
Actually many elements of seven samurai found their way into star wars. Yep I said it. Star wars ripped off kurosawa.
You don't have to like manga in general to appreciate Lone Wolf and Cub. It's simply a fantastic story told in incredibly beautiful drawings. Needless to say, Shogun Assassin didn't really come close to capturing the manga, but it's so excessive you can't help but enjoy it.
There's no doubt. It's even hard to argue against it, it's so obvious at times...but if you're going to steal, steal from the best.
I suppose I'm half way to being a film aficionado, I own a hell of a lot but I'm not all that educated on the classics... but once I find them I'm pretty appreciative of how good they are.
Samurai Fiction is a fantastic modern, stylish and very funny samurai movie! Music Video with scenes from the movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqCLc2rzKR0
I know it's been mentioned already, but the Lone Wolf and Cub series, or even just the first two episodes (known as Shogun Assassin) is one of the best i've seen in the genre. Shogun Assassin is actually one of my all time favorite movies. Although the some of the gore is slightly exaggerated (which is part of what makes it great IMO), there is so much more to that series than just the fight scenes. And i'm sure le'deuche can verify that most of the actual sword fighting is quite accurate.
Star Wars took from a lot of places: Seven Samurai was certainly one of them. But the actual plot of the first movie (the impregnable base, the small band sent in a suicide mission against it, and even C3P0 and R2D2 believe it or not) is taken from Hidden Fortress, another great Kurosawa classic. Of course, Kurosawa himself borrowed heavily from western sources (Yojimbo was called a Japanese "western" even before Sergio Leone remade it as A Fistful of Dollars). In fact, one of my favorite Kurosawa films, Hi and Low, is actually based on an Ed McBain novel called A King's Ransom. Probably one of the most intense crime/kidnapping thrillers you'll ever see.
Yeah I would attest to that. Although, Ogami Itto's reverse sword grip is pretty inaccurate. That technique offers weak support for the blade and would really only be used in a pinch in close quarters. Actually what lone wolf express the best, is a true samurai's loyalty to the code of bushido. Samurai executioner is amazing as well. Truly classics. Although the manga of lone wolf is far superior. Applause!!!! Nice to see a fellow kurosawa buff
LOVE Akira Kurosawa! I just bought "The Bad Sleep Well" and it blew me away! so far I own 13 of his movies, and every single one of them exceeded my expectations. Oh and Samurai Fiction is NOT a good samurai movie; it's a good movie, but doesn't capture the true essence of a samurai.
In addition to the recommends for all of Kurosawa's excellent films, "Sword of Doom", directed by Kihachi Okamoto is also a classic samurai movie. The final battle scene in a a burning castle, cutting through dozens of enemies, is one of the best samurai fights filmed. More recently, "The Twilight Samurai" is an incredible film. Not extremely action heavy - though the fights are excellent - it's more historically accurate than most films, and is a character drama. Also, "When the Last Sword is Drawn". If you're talking 'essence of the samurai' these two films are as tight as it comes. Lots of other good recommends here. Shogun Assassin was simply the American release of the original Lone Wolf and Cub films (based on the manga). It's cut and dubbed from the original films. I believe the originals are now available on DVD in the states, under the name "Lone Wolf and Cub". There's three or four films, and they're all worth seeing. Extremely gory.
