The Twilight Samurai

Amazon.com

Slow-paced and subtle in presentation, The Twilight Samurai captures a side of the famed samurai that is rarely seen. Set in a northeastern province (Shonai) of late nineteenth century Japan, the film tells the story of Seibei Iguchi (Hiroyuki Sanada)--a low-ranking, debt-ridden samurai who, after losing his wife to consumption, struggles to care for his two young daughters and senile mother. Emphasizing the conflicts between duty and family, and love and class rank, director Yoji Yamada has created a film that is deeply engaging on several levels: a classic tale of honor, love, and courage.

Winner of 12 Japanese Film Academy Awards, as well as an Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, The Twilight Samurailives up to its billing. But don't expect an action-packed, samurai-fighting film, or you will be sadly disappointed (there are only two modest fight scenes). --Joel Berman

Description

Seibei Iguchi is a low-ranking samurai living in the fading days of the Shogun period in Japan. His wife has died of tuberculosis, and with two daughters and an elderly mother to support, he and his family must survive in austerity. But when news of his sword-fighting prowess gets out, his superiors order him on a dangerous mission: kill a renowned warrior who is on the wrong side of a clan power struggle.

Customer Reviews:

Man Movie.......2007-09-03

I bought this movie for my hubby because he loves it. I think it's boring. Must be a guy thing.

Twilight Samurai.......2007-07-03

The thing I really like about these foreign films is their simplicity. There are no expensive props, the main reason for watching this film is the story. This is not a martial arts flick, although it does have a few fight scenes.

The main character in this film was very humble but one of the toughest of warriors. He was poor, from a lower caste and struggling to feed his two daughters and ailing mother. It was a very simple story but still profound. It's natural to be drawn to the main character and side with him as all he wants to do is live a simple life and take care of his family. But as a member of a warrior clan, he also has another duty. He reluctantly accepts one final assignment which is the toughest of life.

Anti-Samurai films at their best.......2007-06-08

The trailer and posters, and other overused and trite forms of pre-determining what a film will be like are misleading. the Twilight Samurai feels like it should be just another samurai flick where a impoverished peasant finally reveals his past and his finely tuned samurai technique to his family, enemies or a master. But there is so much more to this film. Yamada turns the classic tales of the samurai on their head, But its more than just an inversion, it separates itself from other anti-samurai films, like Sword of Doom or Sword of the Beast. The cinematography is bleak and brooding, less like 21st century Japanese cinema and more in the style of Dogme 95 or even earlier Scandinavian filmmakers. Hiroyuki Sanada is phenomenal as 'Twilight' Seibei, he portrays the impoverished retainer perfectly, allowing Yamada's film to continue to exceed expectations. A great play on the traditional samurai movie that is every bit as intense and emotional as Rashomon or Harikiri

Great Movie - Worst DVD Quality EVER.......2007-05-31

Great Movie - 5 Stars. One of the best Samurai films ever made. Refreshingly modern take on the genre.

TERRIBLE DVD quality - 0 Stars . Basically it looks like a VHS tape

The image is poorly colored and drab. The resolution is horrible, the entire image is fuzzy and noisy. The subtitles are huge, and their glued on! You can't turn them off. The image is also Non-anamorphic - which basically means it doesn't fit a widescreen tv.

By comparison the recent Criterion re-release of 7 Samurai which was made in 1954 looks better!

Please someone (Criterion) remaster this one for the good of mankind!

captures the end of the samurai era perfectly.......2007-05-12

Seibei, a low ranking samurai ridiculed and shunned by is peers for his complete lack of ambition. Additionally he is very poor as his meager salary cannot cover the expenses required to maintain samurai appearances, and provide for his family at the same time. His wife died long ago, any money he had was spent giving his higher status wife a `proper' funeral, her family wouldn't have it any other way. He is a doting father of two girls but does not want to remarry as his feels his status is too low and would not want to burden another female to such a life. His life is soon to get more complicated when his friend's sister (who Seibi has loved since boyhood) suddenly becomes available, yet she belongs to a higher Samurai class and as I mentioned, Seibei won't make that mistake again. His only desire in life is to take care of his family in happiness, he wants rid himself of the costly and meaningless samurai class and work the land as a farmer.

Worse for Seibei while he is a poor representative of how a samurai should appear, he is is a brilliant swordsman and the secret gets out. The clan decides to put his skills to work regardless of the risk to Seibei and his family.

That is the story in a nut shell but it is about so much more, meaning of life, search for happiness, the obstacle of pride. I can go on. This beautifully lensed film perfectly captures feudal Japan just before the Meiji restoration. It's a film that instantly transports you to another time and place. It tells a humble story yet vocers grand themes; the viewer comes out more wise through the experience. With all philosophy aside it still is a beautiful, brilliantly acted and enjoyable film. While it is a samurai movie it is also a character study, not an action film. Yet because it is a character film it makes the two small action scenes jump out. They are perfectly choreographed and one has completely unexpected outcome (based on Seibei's low status) while the other is dreadfully realistic. This movie is about realism and is a must for any samurai fan, it will nicely contrast other more action themed films and give one a deeper understanding of the social and economic context of the samurai.

Supplement material is two interviews, one with the actor and one with the director. Both short yet contain interesting material.

So why only four stars?

The film's denouement is so jarring it makes you realize you a watching a movie instead of experiencing a transcendental event. In short it obliterates that time and place transportation which captured you from the opening scenes. Here is what you need to do, since it is the last scene of the movie you can just turn it off and not view it at no harm is done. The scene starts with a train in motion, turn of the movie as soon as you see the train. Yes that last scene is so damaging to an otherwise perfect film.

Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini

Average customer rating:

Lupin's first and surely not his last movie
dont listen to others
not bad...a fun ride...
It's not that bad!
Very, very dull.

Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini
Starring: Gizaburo Sugii , and Kan'ichi Kurita
Manufacturer: Funimation Prod
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000633S8
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Product Description

Legend has it that the Twilight diamond is the key to a Moroccan treasure of immeasurable value. So when the international thief Lupin is given the Twilight in an act of faith, it's off to Morocco!

But what started out as a simple in and out job turns into chaos the moment Lupin steps off the train! Fighting factions, masked assassins, secret underground sects, a whip-yielding psychopath, corrupt cops, and the always determined Inspector Zenigata... they're all after Lupin. And they won't stop until he's caught or killed.

Join Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko, and Goemon in another rousing adventure where nothing is what it seems to be... and the treasure is always just around the corner.

System Requirements:
Running Time: 90 minutes

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Originally broadcast in 1996, Twilight Gemini was the ninth installment in the series of made-for-TV movies starring manga artist Monkey Punch's master thief. Mafia don Dolune gives Lupin half of a diamond known as the Twilight: when the two halves are brought together, they form the key to a fabulous treasure. Lupin heads for Morocco to find the long-lost loot and is attacked by masked assassins, a whip-wielding transvestite, and the inevitable Inspector Zenigata and his inept Interpol henchmen. No one expects a Lupin film to make too much sense, but this flimsy tale is both underwritten and badly paced. The chase scenes generate little excitement, and the fights lack panache. Although Lupin III remains one of the most durable franchises in anime history, Twilight Gemini ranks among the lesser works in the canon. Unrated; suitable for ages 15 and u p: Nudity, violence, sexual situations, tobacco use. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

Lupin's first and surely not his last movie.......2006-02-28

Legend has it that the Twilight diamond is the key to a Moroccan treasure of immeasurable value. So when the international thief Lupin is given the Twilight in an act of faith, it's off to Morroco!

This movie may be old but it's on DVD it's supposed to have a sharp image. The sound is fairly decent, my least favorite thing is it doesn't have the same voice acting as the TV series.

I'm inspired by Lupin being an international thief. I'm from a small town name Winnsboro, Louisiana and it's boring. I want to travel all over the world and steal.

dont listen to others.......2004-03-16

lupine the 3rd secret of the twilight gemini is definatly worth your money! all the previus people say the characters are slaughterd! not true at all! when iwanted to buy this movie and read all the bad reveiws i thought twice about buying it. but i did. and i am glad i did. in this movie goemon is not slaughtered(character wise),he doesnt play a big role but to avenge his rival!
this movie contains nudity and drug use. so it is suitable for a mature 12 year old. good i hate reveiws without ratings in them! so that out of the way...lupin has to get the treasure in morroco and has to find the other part to the "key"!
be sure to pick this one up! good

not bad...a fun ride..........2003-07-03

If everyone compares every Lupin movie with The Castle of Cagliostro (CoG) then of course all the other movies might seem bad. But CoG is what it is and the same goes for The Secret of the Twilight Gemini. Gemini is yet another adventure about searching for lost treasure, but this one is unique from the TV episodes because it has time to develop the story and it does quite well. Although the characters are not as light hearted and zany like CoG, they still are fun to watch. A couple gripes however I have with this film. Zenigata was not nearly as funny or really that involved as he could of been. Sometimes Zenigata's involvement in a TV episode or movie can make or break the episode, in this case it doesn't break it but he is a character that the Lupin fan most likely has grown to love. Overall this film is fun to watch but sometimes times to take itself too seriously (i.e flashbacks in silent movie format) but this part is most likely a spoof. Anyhow, if you are a Lupin fan and watch the show then you should pick this one up, its a fun ride all the way through.

It's not that bad!.......2003-04-05

This movie is the usual Lupin the 3rd movie, not too much different than all the others. The story is the down-side of the movie, in my oponion it's an over-used plot, searching for treasure basically. The animation is not bad, the typical Lupin the 3rd animation. The music is not bad either much better than Akira, and kinda catchy. Overall if you like Lupin the 3rd there's no reason why you wouldn't like this movie!

Very, very dull........2002-11-10

This really doesn't match up to Castle of Cagliostro. Lupin isn't as funny or wacky or as hyperactive. The scenery and music are uninspired and plot just isn't interesting.

The only good thing about this 'un is the nudity (only in the uncut version) provided by Fujiko. It helped spice up some of the tedious scenes. CoC had a formidable villian and set up the movie for some imaginative set-pieces. The locations in TSoTG are not very vivid or engaging.

Zenigata, Goemon and Jigen don't even provide decent sideshow entertainment this time. It's like they were just filling a contractual obligation by appearing.

Product Description

Seibei Iguchi is a low-ranking samurai of the Unasaka clan in Shonai Province of northeast Japan. His wife died of tuberculosis, a frequent cause of demise in those early years of hunger and malnutrition. With two daughters, Kayano and Ito, and an aging mother to support, he and his family must survive in austerity. The moment his daily work is over, he hurries home, refusing to drink or eat with fellow samurai, and concentrates on housework and moonlighting. Behind his back, samurai teasingly call him "Tasogare Seibei (Twilight Seibei)."

Customer Reviews:

A true Samurai.......2006-12-01

Wow! This is a story about a man of character. He is the epitome of a master swordsman so skilled, so unrivaled that he has nothing to prove. His loyalties are to his family in the true selfless manner of a noble Samurai. The film's 2 fight scenes are all the more poignant because of his deference to just about everyone.

If you're looking for a film that has a fight scene every other minute with no plot (the plot being the gratuitous violence, I guess... not that there's anything wrong with that) this will not satisfy you.

This is one of the most amazing films I've ever seen; from the story, to the acting, to the direction.

One of My Favorites.......2006-07-12

This is absolutely one of my favorite movies. Sanada's performance as the reluctant warrior at the beck and call of lesser men who are his social seniors draws you into his world. This man is a fighter who has no real interest in fighting. He has children whom he loves and he aspires to nothing greater than caring for them. When he gets a second chance at a love life you hope he can pull it off but circumstances seem to work against it...

This isn't an "action" movie per se. It is definitely a love story; between the man and his family, between the man and his childhood sweetheart. But the lack of action filled fight scenes doesn't mean that you aren't aware throughout the film that this man is "special". As a martial artist and swordsman I felt that the two fight scenes that were in the film were really excellent in terms of technique and drama. Every time I watch this film, I enjoy it more and more.

Twilight in your eyes.......2006-07-01

I titled this movie under that name because if by purchasing this film you are thinking that you are buying a samurai sword fighting movie think again. This is a love story with only maybe two fight scenes in the whole film one in the middle and another at the end, now mind you that this is also a fairly long movie. The reason I gave it 2 stars is because I thought I that was buying a fight movie which this isnt.

Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini (Edited Version)

Average customer rating:

Lupin's first and surely not his last movie
dont listen to others
not bad...a fun ride...
It's not that bad!
Very, very dull.

Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini (Edited Version)
Starring: Lupin the 3rd
Manufacturer: Funimation Prod
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000640SX
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Lupin's first and surely not his last movie.......2006-02-28

Legend has it that the Twilight diamond is the key to a Moroccan treasure of immeasurable value. So when the international thief Lupin is given the Twilight in an act of faith, it's off to Morroco!

This movie may be old but it's on DVD it's supposed to have a sharp image. The sound is fairly decent, my least favorite thing is it doesn't have the same voice acting as the TV series.

I'm inspired by Lupin being an international thief. I'm from a small town name Winnsboro, Louisiana and it's boring. I want to travel all over the world and steal.

dont listen to others.......2004-03-16

not bad...a fun ride..........2003-07-03

It's not that bad!.......2003-04-05

Very, very dull........2002-11-10

This really doesn't match up to Castle of Cagliostro. Lupin isn't as funny or wacky or as hyperactive. The scenery and music are uninspired and plot just isn't interesting.

Zenigata, Goemon and Jigen don't even provide decent sideshow entertainment this time. It's like they were just filling a contractual obligation by appearing.

Album Description

Asian DVD NTSC/Region 3. 2002 film in Japanese with English or Chinese subtitles. Directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa & Nenji Kobayashi. Dolby digital/approx. 130 minutes/widescreen. Panorama Ent.

Customer Reviews:

best samurai movie ever.......2007-02-07

In fact, this movie should not even be compared to most samurai movies. Its not about swordplay or macho duels at all. Quite the reverse. A reluctant samurai who doesn't want to fight or kill anyone. It ends all to quickly but beautifullly, making one pause and consider the implicaitons of a short but full life. Its romantic, and grittily realistic. Its something worth owning.

A different kind of hero!.......2006-03-05

The Twilight Samurai, brings to the screen the story of Seibei Iguchi, a low ranking samurai and a widower, who is facing mounting problems, including taking care of himself, his two young daughters and his senile mother on a rather low salary, while seriously in debt. Things get more complicated as he gets entangled in the shady factional politics of 19th Century Japan...
The film combines romance, drama, action and adventure making it one of the best of its kind!
Moreover, the fascinating culture and traditions of the "Land of the Rising Sun," are presented very well in the film.
The plot is excellent and opens a window into the mysterious Orient.
Furthermore, shot on location it provides for some amazing scenery.
Needless to say, Hiroyuki Sanada, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100%! Their great talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing an entertaining film that can be watched over and over again.
The setting, the dialogues, the music and the costumes are all wonderful!
Very well written and very well presented, it is a movie definitely worth owning, yet alone watching, especially for those with a soft spot for History, and especially for Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts.
Strongly recommended along with Shogun the TV series, starring Richard Chamberlain, to those with a soft spot for all things Japanese.

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