Rashômon

Thanks to its unconventional approach, using several different perspectives on one and the same situation, Rashomon has been often quoted and rehashed - and rightly so. An intelligent screenplay, excellent actors, and sensitive directing. All of this is the reason why this classic has long been captivating and will certainly continue to captivate audiences around the world in the future. Yet I wouldn’t try to argue that universal truth does not exist. Mifune proves again and again that he is without equal (not only) on the islands of Japan. And there can’t possibly exist any other point of view on that. (24/06/2007)

Three? Actually, four views on the same thing. And they're all true. Deshō? What really happened? I'd say the important thing is a probe into the human soul, a desire to believe in humanity, but who knows. Maybe I just misinterpreted. But that certainly doesn't detract from the black and white beauty of the film. Plus, Toshiro Mifune was great. I think he's a likable guy, whoever he plays. How does that guy do it? (09/10/2009)

I returned to Rashomon after 20 years and it cost the film a star. I am bothered by the theatrical playing of emotions in front of the camera with the passage of time, which is, by the way, a typical illness of Kurosawa's early films. Otherwise, Rashomon passed the test, and knowing the year it was completed, there is nothing left but to nod approvingly. After all, it was the first film of defeated Japan in the post-war era that received a favorable response in the West and Kurosawa began to be counted on at prestigious festival screenings. The script, which tells the story of the rape of the samurai's wife and his violent death from the perspective of four actors and witnesses, informs the viewer what they probably already suspect (and psychologists know) - we are subjectively thinking beings who put on masks and play games in public to show ourselves in the best possible light. Discovering the objective truth is often impossible because we successfully deceive not only our surroundings but also ourselves. Overall impression: 80%. (30/12/2020)

It's very thematically fitting for me. Kurosawa perfectly captures the fragmentation of the human soul, and the actors fall so deeply into their roles that the woman's laughter is still ringing in my ears. (09/05/2011)

A groundbreaking film, no doubt. Long before Tarantino, we can watch a very complex and intelligent retrospective that captures the events surrounding a murder mystery from several possible angles. Moreover, Kurosawa is brilliant not only with the novel story, but also with harmonious imagery and a mystique of thought that adds timeless values to the medieval atmosphere. But did it need to have so much moral preaching when the obvious and very simple message remains to this day that women are the greatest scourge of humanity? :))... Otherwise, Toshiro Mifune has charisma to spare, and I am not surprised that the peak of Kurosawa’s creative career is linked with him. 80% (03/03/2014)

Finally, I got to one of Akira Kurosawa's films and I have to say that the wait was worth it. He is a man who truly knew how to direct and how to achieve what he wants. I like the idea of different perspectives because I want to play with them in my own work, but I was also surprised by the great acting. I hope to get to something else soon. (20/10/2014)