Sugata Sanshiro (Judo Saga) (Judo Story) (1943)

Featured Audience Ratings

• danny d

  
  kurosawa's first film is also his most incoherent, but the overall story and display of kurosawa's early versatility make this a very good film. the variations in the style of the five fight scenes especially show early greatness for kurosawa, and shimura's presence… More
  kurosawa's first film is also his most incoherent, but the overall story and display of kurosawa's early versatility make this a very good film. the variations in the style of the five fight scenes especially show early greatness for kurosawa, and shimura's presence adds intrigue. great beginnings for the greatest director.

• xGary X

  
  Sugata Sanshiro is the story of a man who, through lessons taught to him by a wise martial arts master, learns important lessons in life. I found this film something of an oddity where it comes to Kurosawa; it was his first film, and I couldn't help but think he had limited… More
  Sugata Sanshiro is the story of a man who, through lessons taught to him by a wise martial arts master, learns important lessons in life. I found this film something of an oddity where it comes to Kurosawa; it was his first film, and I couldn't help but think he had limited creative control over the project. The characters are not particularly well fleshed out, Chee's miraculous catharsis from rabble rousing brawler to enlightened martial artist meant little as you never really got to know him in the first place. His later relationships are cursory at best, only the warmth and mutual respect between he and defeated opponent Takashi Shimura really held any resonance. The villain of the piece is also virtually a cartoon character (Dick Dastardly to be precise!) who may as well have twirled his moustache and gone "Muah-hah-hah-haaaaah!!" every time he appeared, and it all ends very abruptly. The visuals however are pure Kurosawa with some beautifully framed shots of great locations and lovely costumes. The fight scenes are also very well done, preferring to stick to a very realist approach rather than the usual over the top chop socky action of the like of Jackie Chan plus the tournament based format is hugely influential, the obvious starting point for everything from The Karate Kid to Fearless. Hardly the best example of his work, but worth it for the visuals alone.

• Walter M

  
  In "Sanshiro Sugata," a group of jujitsu instructors get together to teach Yano(Denjiro Okochi) a lesson for having the gall to open a judo school of his own. Things do not go as planned as he takes on all comers with his back to a canal while hardly breaking a sweat. But… More
  In "Sanshiro Sugata," a group of jujitsu instructors get together to teach Yano(Denjiro Okochi) a lesson for having the gall to open a judo school of his own. Things do not go as planned as he takes on all comers with his back to a canal while hardly breaking a sweat. But it is not so easy with Sanshiro Sugata(Susumu Fujita), his star pupil, who keeps getting into fights outside of school. As Yano condemns him for his lack of humanity and contemplates kicking him out, Sanshiro dives into a pond in a fit of pique. With his first film "Sanshiro Sugata," writer-director Akira Kurosawa already shows a great deal of promise in this compelling morality tale. As he proves, it is easy for somebody to be strong like Sanshiro but that does not mean he will make a great athlete.(Plus, I remember hearing somewhere that judo turns the opponent's strength back against himself.) That's not all as he also has to learn how to be humble and respect others. And I suppose it is also a mark of the times that the one seedy character is also the only one wearing western clothing.

• Chris B

  
  "Sanshiro Sugata" is the first film from the legendary Akira Kurosawa who went on to make some of the finest films the world has ever witnessed. While this is not one of the top-tier Kurosawa films, it is saying something when a Director's lower films are better than a… More
  "Sanshiro Sugata" is the first film from the legendary Akira Kurosawa who went on to make some of the finest films the world has ever witnessed. While this is not one of the top-tier Kurosawa films, it is saying something when a Director's lower films are better than a majority of other films out. The story is simple, a man who pursues a path in Judo grows as a person while doing so and also discovers humanity as well. The film portrays Sugata's progression as a martial artist as well as a man and finds purpose in doing so. The film while simple is still filled with great fight sequences, occasional comedy and some striking cinematography and shows the beginnings of the legendary Kurosawa and foreshadows what he would go on to achieve.

• Gevvy S

  
  Kurosawa's original cut does not exist anymore, what is left of it is a very raw first film. It has cliched plot, but some memorable shots like the final battle scene which is very grainy and pessimistic in its presentation. It does not have much depth in terms of character and… More
  Kurosawa's original cut does not exist anymore, what is left of it is a very raw first film. It has cliched plot, but some memorable shots like the final battle scene which is very grainy and pessimistic in its presentation. It does not have much depth in terms of character and everything has a very contrived feel to it. That is of course because this is Kurosawa's first film and he wouldn't have had much artistic license with it. Despite it's short comings, Susumu Fujita gives a compelling performance, though wooden at times and it is entertaining and interesting. It is something that is worth watching if you're just into film in general and perhaps re-viewing if you're into Kurosawa.

• Anthony V

  
  Good story hampered by some choppy editing. Although there are a few gaps, some trademark Kurosawa visual shine through and does manage to retain your interest throughout.

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