Another Kurosawa cinematic genius, “The Men Who Tread On The Tiger’s Tail was all about a fugitive lord and his loyal bodyguards who wore a disguise as monks to be able to avoid apprehension and with a dirty trick to outsmart the border guards.
My personal judgment about this movie was Akira Kurosawa did a very good job with such an amazing fairy tale based on Japanese fables. However, I cannot seem to get the gist of the story. In addition, the film had gone on a ‘roller coaster ride” for almost sixty minutes. The character’s performance even failed to convince me that this was a real cinematic masterpiece. This I can prove from the very sloppy comic relief in the film. On the contrary, the choice of the scenic locations I can perfectly say, that this was Kurosawa made.
I had watched several times over. Admittedly, I enjoyed each moment. Though the movie was produced on a shoestring budget, the talented and creative Japanese filmmaker was able to do what it takes to have a wonderful pacing and setting of the shots. Like for instance, Kenichi, the dimwitted porter appeared out of a place with his over the top gestures and broad comedy at that. Moreover, he perfectly fits the story; Thus, breaking the turtle kind of pacing in the movie.
For samurai aficionados and Kurosawa diehards, I think they have to see this out of curiosity. Furthermore, it was clear that this movie was based on Japan’s past, within which Kurosawa had turned into an allegory with respect to Japan’s plight at the end of World War II In one scene, the prince in the story who was estranged from his brother and six retainers, and wandered in the forest who looked bedraggled, must cross a barrier that was safeguarded by men whom they were not familiar with even in their wildest dreams, so that they can better their very lives in the future. This was a reflection of Japan. It had terribly gone through many political and economic hardships, before becoming a superpower country in Asia.
The exciting part of this flick was when the prince had disguised himself as a lowly porter and his retainers as monks to pass the barrier. Basically, this a film filled with social relevance. Therefore, it is highly recommended.
