Personally, I think the duel in the Seven Samurai is the most powerful. The tension that scene conveys is unmached. The reacion of the young Samurai at the end, they pure shock and awe at seeing a man cut down so perfectly, with such art... He's both transfixed and terrified.
The young samurai is shocked, because he never drew blood - and he knows: This is what happens to inexperienced fighters, and maybe even good ones. That's the entire scene btw: A good samurai vs an unqualified hack - this being mirrored in bald and young samurai: a master and a student. Movies will never have scenes this deep in just a single scene ever again - and nobody will match what Kurosawa put to film. I'm sure of that too, because people certainly have tried.
The Hidden Fortress duel is indeed underrated. Having studied traditional Nippon weapon-play for years I can attest to the technical proficiency of the actors who clearly put a lot of time and effort working with knowledgeable experts and wow, that slow but accurate weapons-play combined with top-notch acting/directing = an amazing duel indeed. An entertaining and edifying listing with great selections if incomplete surely for brevity's sale. Thanks, BushidoBlues.
@@bushidoblues9302 it really is. The slow reveal is masterful. The fights are cool but they just enhance the film. I love the Lone Wolf and Cub films but those are just badass gorefests, Harakiri is freaking art, man.
The grass field duel is such a beautifully shot scene. Nakadai says in his interview biography that Harakiri was the first movie where he had to really learn swordplay, and he pulls it off so well.
Im a sport fencer and started experiementing with different arms from all over the world. This is my first time watching Samurai duels in films - thank you so much Bushido Blues. I just wanted to make an observation - what makes Samurai duels in your selection powerful are two things that are apparent in all of them as opposed to other duels in films: 1. Beautifully shot, chreographed and dramatised universal fencing footwork. 2. An equal number of evaded or dodged attacked with parries and glances almost 50:50. Watch the videos again and all of them… you see more expression and emotion. Ferocity, malice, desperation or superiority all expressed in their footwork. While it keeps very Japanese swordmanship footwork at the start - it always devolves into universal fencing language. Secondly, notice unlike other sword fights - they don’t do much parrying. Its usually a 1 dodge, evasion or repositioning for every 3-5 (worse more) per parry or glancing strike. In these films its always a parry and then movement. Theres his intense tension that comes from a back to back parry or a desperarion from a parry and a glancrd strike (including Samurai X if you consider Kenshin’s single “stride” as a attack not what his hands are doing - which makes sense Kenshin has an unorthodox batouryu or iaijutsu sytle where he stides into his sword draw - lunging at the zenith of his blade strike)… Miamoto Musashi is so unfazed playing this the waves, the sunset, the wind and dust and the glare of his sword… the moment Kojiro flinches… he advances with pure malice. In Heibei’s fight you knew it was over the moment the Camera shows the bootful of mud. As if we realised he’s waiting for us to look. And now the muds going in and then its just desperation in his feet… The spear fight… the actors faces is actually a bit funny to me as a South East Asian… we have softer features. But the footwork he walks and moves likes a person in a legion, army or uniformed body… like he’s a trained Marine out of bootcamp even how he stomps the other guys spear is like riot squad curb stomp vibe
" *I just wanted to make an observation - what makes Samurai duels in your selection powerful* " While everything you say seems true, I don't think it's what really matters. For starters, being shot well and dramatized well should be a given for any memorable scene in a movie, so that thing can not be considered to be special for those duels. Everybody tries for that, only a few succeed. Regardless of the genre or settings. Then, it's about "dodges vs parries". Yes, samurai movies use dodges more often, but you can make a great fight with parries too. Honestly, an example of that sprung to my mind immediately, since I grew up on such stuff. Paste: "Potop (The Deluge) - Wołodyjowski duels Kmicic [ENG subs]" in the YT search bar to see what I mean (old UA-cam, bad quality, maybe there is a better version nowadays, but this one still works). There are no dodges, lots of exchanges, lots of parries, yet the most popular UA-cam version of this fight is called "Best movie saber duel" nonetheless. So if I disagree that the aspects you mentioned were crucial here, what, according to me, actually was crucial? I think it's the skill. Raw skill of the actors. Kurosawa for sure was influenced with Western "cowboy" movies, with their iconic quick-draw duels. We might think that it's very easy to fake skill in such a scene with movie magic, yet people who compete in stuff nowadays analyze those scenes, and the actors tended to be *really* fast. So it very often was "real", definitely a real skill (even if enhanced). It's the same story with samurai duels. Those guys were genuinely good! The exact way the scene is done is less important, I think. You can make it a long exchange, you can make it a single shot kind of a deal. However, in order to make any of that work on the screen, especially if you want to achieve something genuinely great, the actors need to be skilled. Otherwise it's very hard to make the scene work. It will always seem fake.
Great list man! Harakiri may be my fav of these films but Zatoichi Challenged has my fav duel..so cinematic & emotionally charged... I do love the Sanjuro / Mifune v Nakadai final pick tho, just seems right
"Sword of desperation" dual is my favourite. Main character duty bound to fight. he also uses the shorter wakazashi which is great to see and it leads into a tragic massive final fight.
I agree, the spear fight scene from Hidden Fortress is HIGHLY underrated. Another honorable mention is the duel between Sonny Chiba and Mikio Narita in 1978's Shogun's Samurai. A quiet, tense build up to a quick and deadly fight with the kill strike accented by a thunderous piano chord. You see the energy and determination in Chiba's downward strike. Still one of my favorites after all this time.
Yes, the duel scene in The Hidden Fortress is epic. As a longtime practitioner of traditional Nippon weapon-play, I can attest to the brilliance and accuracy of the choreography and gotta' say: Wow, great performances from Mifune and friend. They clearly spent a lot of time preparing under knowledgeable sensei and this extra effort definitely shows. I noted last night that during Okami: The Road to Hell, the best and most intense battle scenes are performed by highly skilled kenjitsu players with the Bailiff edited in ad hoc, assuring a fine illusion of his skill as a swordsman. But in Fortress, et al we get the real deal. The action is slow but very much the real deal and the final effect is an engaging, dramatic, technically proficient duel. Glad someone else thinks it's noteworthy. Point being, I agree: underrated.
I totally agree Bushido I always like Mifune that look you pointed out that he gives telling you this is for real and it would scare the hell out of me to seeing those eyes because when you challenge a master swordsman like him in those times that look was serious because he not only was telling you this is for real you cant back away from it now my eyes are fixed on you to judge the amount of nerve you have for bringing this duel on between us in the first place.
The saki bar scene in Zatoichi (2003) with Beat Takeshi, which foreshadows the end duel. I appreciate your criticism of the Blind Samurai theme. This was the 1st Zatoichi film I'd ever scene though I've watched most of Kurosawa's films and had been aware of his influence in American films for years. I loved it! Over the top, for sure, but rich with humor, tradition, a cool story. This will remain a favorite of mine for years. 13 Assassins was great! So glad you mentioned that one.
My very Favorite Samurai duel is from a very underrated film. The Hunted 1995 Takeda(Samurai) vs Kinjo(Ninja). Epic build up with an epic duel. Very stark comparison of Samurai honor vs ninja mentality. Must watch it, Christopher lambert plays a New Yorker that is hunted tor witnessing an assassination. His character is most likely what stopped people from giving the film a chance.
I like Sanjuro and also Yojimbo, which I believe is a story with the same protagonist, but that plot happened before the story of Sanjuro. This duel is very believable from the sword technique point of view, as it reminds me of Iaido rather than a long hit and parry battle. It comes across more believable in this way and while the blood spray is ridiculous, the speed and execution of the moves is timeless.
I'm still kind of a newb to samurai films, so the fact that my favorite duel thus far (the zatoichi duel from 'challenged') was so low on this list has me so freaking psyched to check out the rest of these films! Thanks for the list!
Interesting point with Kyozo from 7 Samurai, his death by gun shoot represent new deadly invention can easily kill off a master swordsman who trained all his life by a bandit armed with a gun.
The Twilight Samurai is an incredibly great film highlighted by an exquisitely written script, a smouldering love affair that defines the word understated and more realistic than most any samurai film. Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa put in Oscar performances and exude dignity and nobility.
while i disagree with some of the choices in this top 10, dude your commentary/delivery/editing of this is on fuckin point. sick video my man, thank you!
Another great video with masterful film clips. I agree with your number 2 selection. I really liked that samurai's role in the Seven, his look and quiet dignity were surpassed only by his heroic death in the film.
Kyuzo has always been the samurai I identified the most with. Quiet, reserved and his actions speak louder than words. Do you have a seven samurai you identify with?
@@bushidoblues9302 Yes....the young man that falls in love with the young woman from the village....so sad when he leaves and they cut to a shot of her walking into the rice fields wiping her tears and joining in the rice planting song. And I'll always have a special place in my heart for 13.
B'H: I think that the film was Yojimbo but I am not sure. The reverse draw performed by Toshiro Mifune in the last scene is the most understated yet magnificent moves that I have ever seen.
Watching this whole thing, I was like, it has to be here, and you keep going and going, and sure enough, it was number 1. I remember the first time I saw the movies back to back, and that fight was the OMG moment. I had to watch it like 12 times before I figured out what he did and then slowed it down to make sure. Great picks all around.
The reason not all duels are fully shown is because if you play a movie clip for more than a few seconds, it will cause the video to get a copyright claim and be taken down. Blame UA-cam.
What a great list and I completely agree with your number one choice. I'm a big fan of Japanese samurai cinema, but there are plenty of films I still need to discover and I think your channel is the perfect place to find out what I'm missing, so you got yourself a new subscriber. Love your channel name, by the way. Keep up the good work, my friend.
Zatoichi had what used to be called hysterical blindness from PTSD. His mind wouldn't let him see, taking him from high status samurai to low status wandering masseur, barely above beggar. However his reflexes took over in a fight.
Twilight Samurai one of the greatest Zen Samurai movies ever made. It's basically the Book of the 5 Rings. It's the meaning of what it is to be Samurai
I recommend you to watch more japanese samurai movies from the 60s and 70s, a period of mutation and criticism to the genre, when new directors came to fight against the traditional society and bushido codes, making it dirtier, more cynical, more violent. I'd like to say some titles: -Satan's Sword (1.960), by Kenji Misumi -The Third Shadow (1.963), by Umetsugu Inoue -Assassination (1.964), by Masahiro Shinoda -Revenge (1.964), by Tadashi Imai -11 Samurai (1.966), by Eiichi Kudo -The Betrayal (1.966), by Tokuzo Tanaka (Raizo Ichikawa against 80 men) -Zatoichi XIII: Zatoichi's Vengeance (1.966), by Tokuzo Tanaka -Kiru (1.968), by Kihachi Okamoto -Goyokin (1.969), by Hideo Gosha -Shura (1.971), by Toshio Matsumoto -Lady Snowblood (1.973), by Toshiya Fujita (forget about Uma Thurman; Meiko Kaji kills it here, literally) -Fall of Ako Castle (1.978), by Kinji Fukasaku
New sub. Great video. I've seen other samurai films, 13 Assassins, Seven Samurai, The Last Samurai, but haven't seen any of these films, but the video inspires me to do so.
Thank you! I appreciate that! Yes, once you've seen all of Akira Kurosawa's and the typical ones, then you still have plenty more great ones that noone mentions.
@@bushidoblues9302 I started watching Ran but fell asleep. Started Throne of Blood too but haven't finished them yet. I'm too busy playing Ghost of Tsushima 😂
Samurai Rebellion isn't even mentioned? That was the best samurai duel I've ever seen. I've encountered four incredible fight scenes in cinema--that's one of them.
Very nice top of samurai films, you had great taste. woww old and modern films. impressive bloody historical and japanese spirit artsword of japanese iconic soul. I see only the last samurai from this topic and i undestood why they your favorite because must of them iconic and beautiful
Very good list. Well done. I have one caveat: I think one of the greatest, up there with Nakadai/Mifune in Sanjuro is the final fight--also Nakadai/Mifune--in _Samurai Rebellion_, directed by Kobayashi. _Sword of Doom_ had some terrific fight scenes, too. But for me, Kurosawa and Kobayashi transcend.
Good picks with logical justifications. I would add the *Hanzo the Razor* films as well as *Duel to the Death* PS: if you could add the movie titles on your time stamps, that would be appreciated.
Grew up watching The Samurai. Shintaro Inspired me to learn martial arts, a few styles. Karate, B.J.J. kenjutsu and kyujitstu.. discipline.. toshiru mifune was brilliant.. thanks for your features. Much appreciated.. 7 samurai ..magnificent 7.. Trinity... and Sergio Leone's western films.. all are brilliant.. just have that feel to them.
Hi, I like your list because you did not just take modern films but the real classics and especially the absolte samurai: Mifune Toshiro. No one is his class. I had in mind another duel I wanted to write about, but it slipped my mind while I was thinking of the fight scene in the Sword of Doom. You forgot about the most cinamaticly spectacular fight in the Sword of Doom, where Mifune Toshiro fights those who attack him.Okay, it is not exactly a duel between just two people but it is perfect, the best visuals and the best fight. And it also feels real. Because in real life there was not much of acrobatics and not too many blows and such in fact motly none. The two faced each other and in a matter of seconds the duel was over, the one who was better ut the weaker down. It only happened if the were of equal talents that the fight lasted longer. As crazy as it seems, it is realistic that the samurai master in the Sword of Doom finishes so quickly the fight. In less then 2 minutes if I remember well, Mifune's character cuts down 23 people, Nakadai's character is frigthened, so he does nut cut him down because he puts his sword back.
Yeah that snow fight is definitely great and memorable. I'll be sure to include it in my best samurai fights video where it will be fights that aren't 1 on 1.
Excellent list . I haven't seen 4 of the entries but I agree on your other selections ; in any order. A few films for consideration: (Some of which have featured in your videos) Sword of the Beast Three Outlaw Samurai Sword of the Stranger Sword of Doom
I would say the Wakizashi vs Katana duel in "Sword of Desperation" could easily dislodge any of the films on your top five list from their position. I also liked the fight scenes in "The Hidden Blade" and Takeshi Kitano's 2003 remake of "Zatoichi". Special mention to the spear vs katana final fight scene in Azumi 2 the sequel (although the story was not much to talk about, but I would say that final fight scene kicked butt).
I remember Shintaro Katsu saying in one Zatoichi movie "I just go batshit and hope to hit someone.." :D he was joking but it felt like the truth haha anyway, great video ;)
What got me watching samurai movies is I practice kenjutsu I have been practicing now for the past 32 years so the fight scenes are why I watched samurai movies shogun assassin '13 assassins' zatoich ' love and honor I love the spectacular showdown with Omoto Ryotaro
Just viewed ‘Love & Honor’ for the first time yesterday. Much like ‘Twilight Samurai,’ it’s all about quality > quantity. While I like balls-out action as much as the next viewer, these quieter, more intimate films tend to lend a denser emotional gravity. Hard to make a top 10 here for sure, but I’m grateful that L&H ranked as highly as it did in your list. 🙇♂️🍻
Can any offer the name of the movie that ends with the protagonist tapping a fruit (orange or apple) as he walks past and the fruit fall apart revealing it had be sliced previously in mid-air?
Great list with lots of amazing picks. I'd even add as an honorable mention the final samurai duel from a movie called Snow on the Blades: The choreography isn't big and flashy and there's little to no music, but the tension, the atmosphere and the buildup made it worth it. Highly recommended if you liked When the Last Sword is Drawn (written by the same author to boot).
@@bushidoblues9302Awesome! The movie is a great watch in general. I watched it a couple of times and it always gets me in the feels. The soundtrack is composed by THE Joe Hisaishi and the cast is excellent.
Thanks buddy these are awesome I love the 1944 miyamoto Musashi movie it's supposed to be the most accurate in reality as how the real kojiro Sasaki dual is supposed to have been but I love the seven samurai is my favorite of all 2nd is the shogun assassin series I have almost 500 samurai movies
Excellent top ten best samurai duels in movies list Bushido Blues oh by the way did you finally watched the Samurai Champloo short film created by the UA-cam channel Rouge Origin Films yet?
Greatest one on one samurai battle was one I saw as a kid in a black and white movie, made sometime in the late sixties. The hero looks like a Japanese Clint Eastwood and the fight takes place at night on a bridge. I don't remember the name of the movie, don't really remember anything else about it, but that fight was one of the most thrilling things I'd ever seen, and it kills me that I simply can't find the movie anywhere. I have searched for years.
To add to that, Mufume's untreated PTSD. He served with the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2. Later in life, when his celebrity was well established, he became more erratic and sullen. His alcoholism was already 'legendary', and by all accounts, he should have died multiple times in the many car wrecks he was in a while driving. Unfortunately, he was never treated for his war trauma.
@@bushidoblues9302, by all accounts, he was a decent and honorable man who never came to grips with what he witnessed and participated in during the war. Something that is missed in his many roles. For the most part, his international crossover roles were anti-war or anti-aggression. When he played unapologetic warriors, they were over the top, as a 'hidden' message to the audience not to be inspired by those characters' warlike ways.
Excellent list. By the way. Have you ever seen the movie kiru!, With tatsuya nakadai? I believe it is a loose retelling of the sanjuro novel, only this time with a bit more of a humorous approach. Despite that, the movie still is ripe with tension and excellent choreography. Solid performance just about everyone aboard, both in front of and behind the camera. It doesn't really get the recognition it deserves in my opinion, but no matter. Definitely check it out if you haven't. If you have, what are your thoughts? Keep up the great work
The blood spurt worked in that last scene because it looks like someone getting their body opened up to the point the aorta and/or heart are emptying out freely, with death in just seconds. The scenes paying homage to it are rarely anywhere near as realistic.
I like how when people look at Asian sword fighting films they are like: "Oh wow realistic swordsmanship goes well with the story. When it comes to European Swordfighting using real techniques: "We can't have that, there is no such thing as realistic sword fighting in movies, it would ruin the plot!"
One of my favourite films was Duel in the wind (1970), but unfortunately not even one scene I have been able to find so far, just posters of the film. Hideki Takahashi had the main role. If you could uplode the film or some parts of it, or the final duel, I would be very happy. My second was Crimson Bat (1969) about the blind swordswoman. I had it, fortunately.
13:50 Seven Samurai- Kyuzo vs Nameless. IMO, Kyuzo was cruel and murderous. Okay. Please hear me out! In the bokken on bokken duel, both swordsmen go straight in. It’s an obvious draw. Kyuzo goads (yes, goads) Nameless by declaring himself the winner. When they go katana to katana, Kyuzo changes his former technique by doing a slight right angle side-step - thus avoiding the initial straight on repeat. He kills Nameless, obviously. NOW - if Kyuzo knew that his ACTUAL technique would have won the duel, he could have simply grinned and accepted the “defeat”, knowing that his secret technique was superior. Instead, he chose (yes, chose) to take Nameless’ life. My observation and opinion. Thoughts?
It's more so a samurai pride thing. Samurai rather die than admit defeat. The nameless samurai did the same thing. If you read Hagakure it explains their ways of thinking. By admitting you are weak or scared then other samurai won't respect you and therefore not respect your family and honor. I also just viewed it as Kyuzo being brutally honest.
@@bushidoblues9302 Ah. But being brutally honest (as he had hidden his actual technique) he would know, based on your observation, that Nameless (to save face) would go the next step - thus leading to Nameless’ demise. Kyuzu, being masterless, had nothing to prove to anyone other than protecting his own ego. He was the strong, silent swordsman the rest of the film, so after many viewings of the movie, that scene always rubbed me wrong. That’s just me 😄
Not really a duel but the sword fight between Mifune and the group of swordsmen in the snowstorm in sword of doom as Nakadai watches, is awesome. Mifune Quivers with power .
I loved 13 assassins. that last 45 min. of the movie just being one long battle was epic. I also just started watching the lone wolf and cub movies, and aside from some of the sound editing being terrible with lots of missing audio, the movies are quite entertaining. I just wish more of these movies had gotten english dubs, just cause I miss a lot because I'm a very slow reader.
@@bushidoblues9302 I'm a big anime watcher and I have always hated subbed. if I don't understand a language then it just becomes meaningless to me, so for me a bad dub is better than a good sub.
And apparently Hidden Fortress provided inspiration for Star Wars. But I seem to remember that Kurosawa was in turn inspired by westerns, so there was an exchange. Having said that, to me no western remake of Seven Samurai comes even close.
This is the best UA-cam channel no one knows about
Thanks that means alot!
Agreed!
It's true. This channel needs more exposure. I was lucky this was popped up randomly on my feed.
Those in the know, know. And now 3 more that I know of know.
EDIT: well, like 300 are aware, but 3 will KNOW.
(Exept for the 23 500 followers 😉)
Personally, I think the duel in the Seven Samurai is the most powerful. The tension that scene conveys is unmached. The reacion of the young Samurai at the end, they pure shock and awe at seeing a man cut down so perfectly, with such art... He's both transfixed and terrified.
It's powerful and memorable for sure
The young samurai is shocked, because he never drew blood - and he knows: This is what happens to inexperienced fighters, and maybe even good ones.
That's the entire scene btw: A good samurai vs an unqualified hack - this being mirrored in bald and young samurai: a master and a student.
Movies will never have scenes this deep in just a single scene ever again - and nobody will match what Kurosawa put to film. I'm sure of that too, because people certainly have tried.
The Hidden Fortress duel is indeed underrated. Having studied traditional Nippon weapon-play for years I can attest to the technical proficiency of the actors who clearly put a lot of time and effort working with knowledgeable experts and wow, that slow but accurate weapons-play combined with top-notch acting/directing = an amazing duel indeed.
An entertaining and edifying listing with great selections if incomplete surely for brevity's sale. Thanks, BushidoBlues.
I knew Harakiri was going to be on here. Not just one of the best samurai films, but one of the best films I've ever seen.
Yeah it's perfect
@@bushidoblues9302 it really is. The slow reveal is masterful. The fights are cool but they just enhance the film. I love the Lone Wolf and Cub films but those are just badass gorefests, Harakiri is freaking art, man.
The long stare downs are the best aspect of samurai duels. Fighting is all in the mind.
The grass field duel is such a beautifully shot scene. Nakadai says in his interview biography that Harakiri was the first movie where he had to really learn swordplay, and he pulls it off so well.
Oh hi, I remember you.
@@That_fr Do you, by any chance, RP Nobunaga? :D
Im a sport fencer and started experiementing with different arms from all over the world. This is my first time watching Samurai duels in films - thank you so much Bushido Blues.
I just wanted to make an observation - what makes Samurai duels in your selection powerful are two things that are apparent in all of them as opposed to other duels in films:
1. Beautifully shot, chreographed and dramatised universal fencing footwork.
2. An equal number of evaded or dodged attacked with parries and glances almost 50:50.
Watch the videos again and all of them… you see more expression and emotion. Ferocity, malice, desperation or superiority all expressed in their footwork. While it keeps very Japanese swordmanship footwork at the start - it always devolves into universal fencing language.
Secondly, notice unlike other sword fights - they don’t do much parrying. Its usually a 1 dodge, evasion or repositioning for every 3-5 (worse more) per parry or glancing strike. In these films its always a parry and then movement. Theres his intense tension that comes from a back to back parry or a desperarion from a parry and a glancrd strike
(including Samurai X if you consider Kenshin’s single “stride” as a attack not what his hands are doing - which makes sense Kenshin has an unorthodox batouryu or iaijutsu sytle where he stides into his sword draw - lunging at the zenith of his blade strike)…
Miamoto Musashi is so unfazed playing this the waves, the sunset, the wind and dust and the glare of his sword… the moment Kojiro flinches… he advances with pure malice.
In Heibei’s fight you knew it was over the moment the Camera shows the bootful of mud. As if we realised he’s waiting for us to look. And now the muds going in and then its just desperation in his feet…
The spear fight… the actors faces is actually a bit funny to me as a South East Asian… we have softer features. But the footwork he walks and moves likes a person in a legion, army or uniformed body… like he’s a trained Marine out of bootcamp even how he stomps the other guys spear is like riot squad curb stomp vibe
Genius observation! Now I look at these fights differently!
" *I just wanted to make an observation - what makes Samurai duels in your selection powerful* "
While everything you say seems true, I don't think it's what really matters.
For starters, being shot well and dramatized well should be a given for any memorable scene in a movie, so that thing can not be considered to be special for those duels. Everybody tries for that, only a few succeed. Regardless of the genre or settings.
Then, it's about "dodges vs parries". Yes, samurai movies use dodges more often, but you can make a great fight with parries too. Honestly, an example of that sprung to my mind immediately, since I grew up on such stuff. Paste: "Potop (The Deluge) - Wołodyjowski duels Kmicic [ENG subs]" in the YT search bar to see what I mean (old UA-cam, bad quality, maybe there is a better version nowadays, but this one still works).
There are no dodges, lots of exchanges, lots of parries, yet the most popular UA-cam version of this fight is called "Best movie saber duel" nonetheless.
So if I disagree that the aspects you mentioned were crucial here, what, according to me, actually was crucial?
I think it's the skill. Raw skill of the actors.
Kurosawa for sure was influenced with Western "cowboy" movies, with their iconic quick-draw duels. We might think that it's very easy to fake skill in such a scene with movie magic, yet people who compete in stuff nowadays analyze those scenes, and the actors tended to be *really* fast. So it very often was "real", definitely a real skill (even if enhanced).
It's the same story with samurai duels. Those guys were genuinely good!
The exact way the scene is done is less important, I think. You can make it a long exchange, you can make it a single shot kind of a deal. However, in order to make any of that work on the screen, especially if you want to achieve something genuinely great, the actors need to be skilled.
Otherwise it's very hard to make the scene work. It will always seem fake.
Good choices, as usual. Thank you and waiting for more
Great list man! Harakiri may be my fav of these films but Zatoichi Challenged has my fav duel..so cinematic & emotionally charged... I do love the Sanjuro / Mifune v Nakadai final pick tho, just seems right
"Sword of desperation" dual is my favourite. Main character duty bound to fight. he also uses the shorter wakazashi which is great to see and it leads into a tragic massive final fight.
I'll have to watch that one. I've heard someone else recommended it too.
Loved sword of desperation
Love that movie and that duel
Two new additions to my watchlist, Sword of Desperation and At River's Edge, thanks guys :)
I agree, the spear fight scene from Hidden Fortress is HIGHLY underrated. Another honorable mention is the duel between Sonny Chiba and Mikio Narita in 1978's Shogun's Samurai. A quiet, tense build up to a quick and deadly fight with the kill strike accented by a thunderous piano chord. You see the energy and determination in Chiba's downward strike. Still one of my favorites after all this time.
That fighr sounds awesome! I'll have to check it out!
Yes, the duel scene in The Hidden Fortress is epic. As a longtime practitioner of traditional Nippon weapon-play, I can attest to the brilliance and accuracy of the choreography and gotta' say: Wow, great performances from Mifune and friend. They clearly spent a lot of time preparing under knowledgeable sensei and this extra effort definitely shows. I noted last night that during Okami: The Road to Hell, the best and most intense battle scenes are performed by highly skilled kenjitsu players with the Bailiff edited in ad hoc, assuring a fine illusion of his skill as a swordsman. But in Fortress, et al we get the real deal. The action is slow but very much the real deal and the final effect is an engaging, dramatic, technically proficient duel. Glad someone else thinks it's noteworthy. Point being, I agree: underrated.
I totally agree Bushido I always like Mifune that look you pointed out that he gives telling you this is for real and it would scare the hell out of me to seeing those eyes because when you challenge a master swordsman like him in those times that look was serious because he not only was telling you this is for real you cant back away from it now my eyes are fixed on you to judge the amount of nerve you have for bringing this duel on between us in the first place.
I'm really glad you put in Twilight Samurai/Twilight Seibei, it was a really underrated movie imo
That movie is killer. But so sad. Try the Hidden Blade (if you haven't). Same director and main actor. So good.
That movie is killer. But so sad. Try the Hidden Blade (if you haven't). Same director and main actor. So good.
The saki bar scene in Zatoichi (2003) with Beat Takeshi, which foreshadows the end duel. I appreciate your criticism of the Blind Samurai theme. This was the 1st Zatoichi film I'd ever scene though I've watched most of Kurosawa's films and had been aware of his influence in American films for years. I loved it! Over the top, for sure, but rich with humor, tradition, a cool story. This will remain a favorite of mine for years. 13 Assassins was great! So glad you mentioned that one.
There's one ... "After The Rain". The fight between the samurai and the general's men in front of the general ... thatz true swordsmanship.
My very Favorite Samurai duel is from a very underrated film. The Hunted 1995 Takeda(Samurai) vs Kinjo(Ninja). Epic build up with an epic duel. Very stark comparison of Samurai honor vs ninja mentality. Must watch it, Christopher lambert plays a New Yorker that is hunted tor witnessing an assassination. His character is most likely what stopped people from giving the film a chance.
Interesting to note that for the iconic final duel scene in 'Sanjuro' a shorter katana was substituted to enable Mifune to perform the cut.
That explains it!
Thanks man. I'm writing a script about samurai at the moment and this helps ALOT. Much appreciated
A man of culture. 🙏🏿
I like Sanjuro and also Yojimbo, which I believe is a story with the same protagonist, but that plot happened before the story of Sanjuro. This duel is very believable from the sword technique point of view, as it reminds me of Iaido rather than a long hit and parry battle. It comes across more believable in this way and while the blood spray is ridiculous, the speed and execution of the moves is timeless.
I think that the Fight from Seven Samurai is the best but the Fight from Last Samurai in the rain should also be on the List!
Oh with the bokken? Yeah I almost added it but people get made for whatever reason when I talk about the last Samurai. I think it's a great film.
@@bushidoblues9302 Also without the Szene from Last Samurai its a really nice Video, thank you verry much!!
I'm still kind of a newb to samurai films, so the fact that my favorite duel thus far (the zatoichi duel from 'challenged') was so low on this list has me so freaking psyched to check out the rest of these films! Thanks for the list!
Thanks for including "Goyokin." Also "Twilight Samurai." Both of these films are under-appreciated.
No doubt!
Interesting point with Kyozo from 7 Samurai, his death by gun shoot represent new deadly invention can easily kill off a master swordsman who trained all his life by a bandit armed with a gun.
Good job! Agreed. Frame by frame is the way to deconstruct, especially with anything Mifune does.
Thank you!
The Twilight Samurai is an incredibly great film highlighted by an exquisitely written script, a smouldering love affair that defines the word understated and more realistic than most any samurai film. Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa put in Oscar performances and exude dignity and nobility.
Another great Video The Ghost Dog Video drew me in as well as the Akira Kurosawa Films.
Thank you!!
I just came across this channel and I'm loving it...i feel like a kid in a candy store. Keep up the great work Bushido Blues 💙
Thanks, I appreciate that!
while i disagree with some of the choices in this top 10, dude your commentary/delivery/editing of this is on fuckin point. sick video my man, thank you!
Thank you!! I also recently did another top 10 showing the entire fights and I changed a few!
Another great video with masterful film clips. I agree with your number 2 selection. I really liked that samurai's role in the Seven, his look and quiet dignity were surpassed only by his heroic death in the film.
Kyuzo has always been the samurai I identified the most with. Quiet, reserved and his actions speak louder than words. Do you have a seven samurai you identify with?
@@bushidoblues9302 Yes....the young man that falls in love with the young woman from the village....so sad when he leaves and they cut to a shot of her walking into the rice fields wiping her tears and joining in the rice planting song. And I'll always have a special place in my heart for 13.
B'H: I think that the film was Yojimbo but I am not sure. The reverse draw performed by Toshiro Mifune in the last scene is the most understated yet magnificent moves that I have ever seen.
Watching this whole thing, I was like, it has to be here, and you keep going and going, and sure enough, it was number 1. I remember the first time I saw the movies back to back, and that fight was the OMG moment. I had to watch it like 12 times before I figured out what he did and then slowed it down to make sure. Great picks all around.
Thanks. Yeah, that Sanjuro fight really surprised me the first time I saw it. I couldn't believe it.
Good video list. Couldn't have agreed more!
4:32 i think that's one of the most badass lines ever uttered in movie history
The reason not all duels are fully shown is because if you play a movie clip for more than a few seconds, it will cause the video to get a copyright claim and be taken down. Blame UA-cam.
What a great list and I completely agree with your number one choice. I'm a big fan of Japanese samurai cinema, but there are plenty of films I still need to discover and I think your channel is the perfect place to find out what I'm missing, so you got yourself a new subscriber. Love your channel name, by the way. Keep up the good work, my friend.
Thanks I appreciate that!
Very few film makers can make a swordfight very intense not only with the techniques but with the drama behind it.
Nice list.
I'd also consider the Snow fight scene in ' Sword of Doom' with Toshiro Mifune.
Also the final fight in 'Harakiri'
Zatoichi had what used to be called hysterical blindness from PTSD. His mind wouldn't let him see, taking him from high status samurai to low status wandering masseur, barely above beggar. However his reflexes took over in a fight.
Geez. The way the blood gushed out of Hanbei, he probably would’ve died from a hypertensive stroke if Sanjuro hadn’t cut him.
Yes! Finally you did it! Thanks
You're welcome!
Great list.
Cool vid.
Thank you!
Those Rurouni films really caught me off guard.... So freaking good.
I think the first movie with Zatoichi is an amazing duel. I think it was filmed in 1963.
I would add some of the fights in Kenji Misume's Last Samurai from 1974 they are awesone!
Enjoyable breakdown
Twilight Samurai one of the greatest Zen Samurai movies ever made. It's basically the Book of the 5 Rings. It's the meaning of what it is to be Samurai
I recommend you to watch more japanese samurai movies from the 60s and 70s, a period of mutation and criticism to the genre, when new directors came to fight against the traditional society and bushido codes, making it dirtier, more cynical, more violent.
I'd like to say some titles:
-Satan's Sword (1.960), by Kenji Misumi
-The Third Shadow (1.963), by Umetsugu Inoue
-Assassination (1.964), by Masahiro Shinoda
-Revenge (1.964), by Tadashi Imai
-11 Samurai (1.966), by Eiichi Kudo
-The Betrayal (1.966), by Tokuzo Tanaka (Raizo Ichikawa against 80 men)
-Zatoichi XIII: Zatoichi's Vengeance (1.966), by Tokuzo Tanaka
-Kiru (1.968), by Kihachi Okamoto
-Goyokin (1.969), by Hideo Gosha
-Shura (1.971), by Toshio Matsumoto
-Lady Snowblood (1.973), by Toshiya Fujita (forget about Uma Thurman; Meiko Kaji kills it here, literally)
-Fall of Ako Castle (1.978), by Kinji Fukasaku
Great list, well done!
Thanks!
Great List Buddy!
Thanks!
@@bushidoblues9302 Your Welcome!
New sub. Great video. I've seen other samurai films, 13 Assassins, Seven Samurai, The Last Samurai, but haven't seen any of these films, but the video inspires me to do so.
Thank you! I appreciate that! Yes, once you've seen all of Akira Kurosawa's and the typical ones, then you still have plenty more great ones that noone mentions.
@@bushidoblues9302 I started watching Ran but fell asleep. Started Throne of Blood too but haven't finished them yet. I'm too busy playing Ghost of Tsushima 😂
@@ExpectedBoy great game! Maybe I'll jump back in! Summer tradition
Samurai Rebellion isn't even mentioned? That was the best samurai duel I've ever seen. I've encountered four incredible fight scenes in cinema--that's one of them.
Very nice top of samurai films, you had great taste. woww old and modern films. impressive bloody historical and japanese spirit artsword of japanese iconic soul. I see only the last samurai from this topic and i undestood why they your favorite because must of them iconic and beautiful
Fantastic
Thank you! Cheers!
Very good list. Well done. I have one caveat: I think one of the greatest, up there with Nakadai/Mifune in Sanjuro is the final fight--also Nakadai/Mifune--in _Samurai Rebellion_, directed by Kobayashi.
_Sword of Doom_ had some terrific fight scenes, too. But for me, Kurosawa and Kobayashi transcend.
Sword of Doom is amazing. Love that duel in the gloomy forest when Ryunosuke kills numerous enemies
Good picks with logical justifications. I would add the *Hanzo the Razor* films as well as *Duel to the Death*
PS: if you could add the movie titles on your time stamps, that would be appreciated.
Grew up watching The Samurai. Shintaro Inspired me to learn martial arts, a few styles. Karate, B.J.J. kenjutsu and kyujitstu.. discipline.. toshiru mifune was brilliant.. thanks for your features. Much appreciated.. 7 samurai ..magnificent 7.. Trinity... and Sergio Leone's western films.. all are brilliant.. just have that feel to them.
Well done OP. I also highly recommend watching 'Samurai Fiction'. Great movie.
Yes I've made a video on it. I love the style of it.
Who else looked up "Danger Snow" after watching this video?
Badass song!
@@bushidoblues9302 indeed
Hi, I like your list because you did not just take modern films but the real classics and especially the absolte samurai: Mifune Toshiro. No one is his class.
I had in mind another duel I wanted to write about, but it slipped my mind while I was thinking of the fight scene in the Sword of Doom.
You forgot about the most cinamaticly spectacular fight in the Sword of Doom, where Mifune Toshiro fights those who attack him.Okay, it is not exactly a duel between just two people but it is perfect, the best visuals and the best fight. And it also feels real. Because in real life there was not much of acrobatics and not too many blows and such in fact motly none. The two faced each other and in a matter of seconds the duel was over, the one who was better ut the weaker down. It only happened if the were of equal talents that the fight lasted longer. As crazy as it seems, it is realistic that the samurai master in the Sword of Doom finishes so quickly the fight. In less then 2 minutes if I remember well, Mifune's character cuts down 23 people, Nakadai's character is frigthened, so he does nut cut him down because he puts his sword back.
Yeah that snow fight is definitely great and memorable. I'll be sure to include it in my best samurai fights video where it will be fights that aren't 1 on 1.
Excellent list . I haven't seen 4 of the entries but I agree on your other selections ; in any order.
A few films for consideration: (Some of which have featured in your videos)
Sword of the Beast
Three Outlaw Samurai
Sword of the Stranger
Sword of Doom
Sword of the stranger is such a great final fight I have to rewatch three outlaw samurai as everyone brings that up alot. Kill! Is another great one.
I would say the Wakizashi vs Katana duel in "Sword of Desperation" could easily dislodge any of the films on your top five list from their position. I also liked the fight scenes in "The Hidden Blade" and Takeshi Kitano's 2003 remake of "Zatoichi". Special mention to the spear vs katana final fight scene in Azumi 2 the sequel (although the story was not much to talk about, but I would say that final fight scene kicked butt).
@@johnlloyddy7016 cool I'll have to check those out. I liked the Hidden Blade movie but I can't stand the fake cgi in that last fight.
ManyThanx!!!!! Great Review My Good Friend!!!!! Iv Seen Many Of Those FINE FILMS!!!! Brilliant ManyThanx Again
Glad you enjoyed it
I remember Shintaro Katsu saying in one Zatoichi movie "I just go batshit and hope to hit someone.." :D he was joking but it felt like the truth haha anyway, great video ;)
Haha great line! Thanks
What got me watching samurai movies is I practice kenjutsu I have been practicing now for the past 32 years so the fight scenes are why I watched samurai movies shogun assassin '13 assassins' zatoich ' love and honor I love the spectacular showdown with Omoto Ryotaro
The samurai duel in the intro at 1:45.. What movie was that from?
The end fight of Lone Wolf and cub 3 baby cart to Hades.
Just viewed ‘Love & Honor’ for the first time yesterday. Much like ‘Twilight Samurai,’ it’s all about quality > quantity. While I like balls-out action as much as the next viewer, these quieter, more intimate films tend to lend a denser emotional gravity. Hard to make a top 10 here for sure, but I’m grateful that L&H ranked as highly as it did in your list. 🙇♂️🍻
It's a powerful and unforgettable film for sure!
Can any offer the name of the movie that ends with the protagonist tapping a fruit (orange or apple) as he walks past and the fruit fall apart revealing it had be sliced previously in mid-air?
True, Yumi (Bow) and Yari (Spear) & Naginata are the main weapons, Katana & Wakazashi are literaly backups.
Aaaah, the Sanjuro fight. Yeah, I tried to watch it in slow motion, but still, I can't see the movement. It blows my mind still thinking about it
Great list with lots of amazing picks. I'd even add as an honorable mention the final samurai duel from a movie called Snow on the Blades: The choreography isn't big and flashy and there's little to no music, but the tension, the atmosphere and the buildup made it worth it. Highly recommended if you liked When the Last Sword is Drawn (written by the same author to boot).
Thank you! I'll have to add Snow on the Blades to the next list of fights I make.
@@bushidoblues9302Awesome! The movie is a great watch in general. I watched it a couple of times and it always gets me in the feels. The soundtrack is composed by THE Joe Hisaishi and the cast is excellent.
Muito bom 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇧🇷
Kenobi and Maul's final confrontation owes everything to these movies.
Absolutely. Best star wars fight imo.
@@bushidoblues9302 definitely
Thanks buddy these are awesome I love the 1944 miyamoto Musashi movie it's supposed to be the most accurate in reality as how the real kojiro Sasaki dual is supposed to have been but I love the seven samurai is my favorite of all 2nd is the shogun assassin series I have almost 500 samurai movies
Excellent top ten best samurai duels in movies list Bushido Blues oh by the way did you finally watched the Samurai Champloo short film created by the UA-cam channel Rouge Origin Films yet?
Yes and I was very impressed. Great recommendation like always, Chris.
@@bushidoblues9302 You’re welcome I’m glad you enjoyed it just as much as I did.
where's the animation at 16:46 from?
The anime segment from Kill Bill vol 1.
I like samurai movies 💕
Good answer!
Considering Akira Kurosawa was influenced heavily by westerns. . .
Makes sense
I clicked on this video to see if the duel in Seven Samurai made the list. It's so subtle and simple at the same time. Kurosawa was a genius.
I feel like real duels looked more like that. Steel blades hitting each other looks cool but probably never happened.
Greatest one on one samurai battle was one I saw as a kid in a black and white movie, made sometime in the late sixties. The hero looks like a Japanese Clint Eastwood and the fight takes place at night on a bridge. I don't remember the name of the movie, don't really remember anything else about it, but that fight was one of the most thrilling things I'd ever seen, and it kills me that I simply can't find the movie anywhere. I have searched for years.
Hunter in the Dark?
Hanzo the Razor?
To add to that, Mufume's untreated PTSD. He served with the Imperial Japanese Army during WW2. Later in life, when his celebrity was well established, he became more erratic and sullen. His alcoholism was already 'legendary', and by all accounts, he should have died multiple times in the many car wrecks he was in a while driving. Unfortunately, he was never treated for his war trauma.
I never knew about any of this. Sounds tragic.
@@bushidoblues9302, by all accounts, he was a decent and honorable man who never came to grips with what he witnessed and participated in during the war. Something that is missed in his many roles. For the most part, his international crossover roles were anti-war or anti-aggression. When he played unapologetic warriors, they were over the top, as a 'hidden' message to the audience not to be inspired by those characters' warlike ways.
Kyuzo's kamae is perfect.
Bushido Blues what was the beat that you used at the outro of your video? Thank you!
It's called, Bushido Blues haha.
@@bushidoblues9302 lol thank you I really appreciate it 😆
Excellent list. By the way. Have you ever seen the movie kiru!, With tatsuya nakadai? I believe it is a loose retelling of the sanjuro novel, only this time with a bit more of a humorous approach. Despite that, the movie still is ripe with tension and excellent choreography. Solid performance just about everyone aboard, both in front of and behind the camera. It doesn't really get the recognition it deserves in my opinion, but no matter. Definitely check it out if you haven't. If you have, what are your thoughts? Keep up the great work
Thank you. Yes I've seen Kiru! and liked it alot. It was sort of a parody to the chanbara genre and I recall liking it alot. I have to rewatch it.
My personal favorite samurai dual is in Versus, a japanese zombie scifi movie between prisoner ksc2-303 and the man.
Thank God for your List , for a moment I thought Kill Bill was going to be number 1 ,, 😂😂
Lol then it would just be a watchmojo list.
The blood spurt worked in that last scene because it looks like someone getting their body opened up to the point the aorta and/or heart are emptying out freely, with death in just seconds. The scenes paying homage to it are rarely anywhere near as realistic.
I like the Movie the last Samurai too … I’m not an expert in Katana fighting but it looks very real in the Movie
13 assassins might be my favorite Japanese movie ever
It's pretty awesome!
I like how when people look at Asian sword fighting films they are like: "Oh wow realistic swordsmanship goes well with the story.
When it comes to European Swordfighting using real techniques: "We can't have that, there is no such thing as realistic sword fighting in movies, it would ruin the plot!"
Haha I never thought of that but it is true.
Shogun Ninja last duel for me is the best.
15:06 Add delayed arterial spray, and you have your classic anime duel...
Seriously!
What do you think of he last samurai scene in the “Yakuza” with Takakura Ken?
One of my favourite films was Duel in the wind (1970), but unfortunately not even one scene I have been able to find so far, just posters of the film. Hideki Takahashi had the main role. If you could uplode the film or some parts of it, or the final duel, I would be very happy. My second was Crimson Bat (1969) about the blind swordswoman. I had it, fortunately.
Anyone know the movie @1:16?
Shogun Assassin/ The first Lone Wolf and Cub movie starring Tomisaburo Wakayama.
13:50 Seven Samurai- Kyuzo vs Nameless. IMO, Kyuzo was cruel and murderous. Okay. Please hear me out!
In the bokken on bokken duel, both swordsmen go straight in. It’s an obvious draw.
Kyuzo goads (yes, goads) Nameless by declaring himself the winner.
When they go katana to katana, Kyuzo changes his former technique by doing a slight right angle side-step - thus avoiding the initial straight on repeat.
He kills Nameless, obviously.
NOW - if Kyuzo knew that his ACTUAL technique would have won the duel, he could have simply grinned and accepted the “defeat”, knowing that his secret technique was superior.
Instead, he chose (yes, chose) to take Nameless’ life. My observation and opinion. Thoughts?
It's more so a samurai pride thing. Samurai rather die than admit defeat. The nameless samurai did the same thing. If you read Hagakure it explains their ways of thinking. By admitting you are weak or scared then other samurai won't respect you and therefore not respect your family and honor. I also just viewed it as Kyuzo being brutally honest.
@@bushidoblues9302 Ah. But being brutally honest (as he had hidden his actual technique) he would know, based on your observation, that Nameless (to save face) would go the next step - thus leading to Nameless’ demise. Kyuzu, being masterless, had nothing to prove to anyone other than protecting his own ego.
He was the strong, silent swordsman the rest of the film, so after many viewings of the movie, that scene always rubbed me wrong.
That’s just me 😄
Not really a duel but the sword fight between Mifune and the group of swordsmen in the snowstorm in sword of doom as Nakadai watches, is awesome. Mifune Quivers with power .
Mifune is mediocre. Wakayama, Katsu, Chiba and Sanada outclass him.
I loved 13 assassins. that last 45 min. of the movie just being one long battle was epic. I also just started watching the lone wolf and cub movies, and aside from some of the sound editing being terrible with lots of missing audio, the movies are quite entertaining. I just wish more of these movies had gotten english dubs, just cause I miss a lot because I'm a very slow reader.
You'll become a faster reader the more movies you watch. Sometimes I have to pause it, but nothing beats hearing the native language
@@bushidoblues9302 I'm a big anime watcher and I have always hated subbed. if I don't understand a language then it just becomes meaningless to me, so for me a bad dub is better than a good sub.
Old man's hair patches @ 2:07
Sergio Leoni stole everything he knew from Kurosawa
Yeah definitely. Quite literally with A Fistful Of Dollars
And apparently Hidden Fortress provided inspiration for Star Wars. But I seem to remember that Kurosawa was in turn inspired by westerns, so there was an exchange. Having said that, to me no western remake of Seven Samurai comes even close.
@@bertushofstra8246 yeah I enjoy the magnificent 7 but it feels cheap compared to seven samurai.
@@bertushofstra8246 YUou should maybe look at the dates. Kurosawa liked some Westerns, but ones that came out after his films.
@@bushidoblues9302 Fistful of Yen
Congrats for having watched the Twilight Samurai! Few people I know have watched this film!
It's excellent!