13 Assassins (1963)

I recently read Chris D's book Outlaw Masters of Japanese Cinema in order to find inspiration for more Japanese films to see. One of the first directors I discovered in the book was Eiich Kudo and Chris D's first recommendation from the director was 13 Assassins (1963), which I now realize was the source material for Takashi Miike's 2010 re-make (which I hadn't know it was a re-make when I saw it). I must admit that I really enjoyed Miike's version and thought it was one of his best films, I think that Kudo's original is even better, because of the classical framing and cinematography. In addition, Miike's version is somewhat over-the-top (one would guess the source material was from a comic), especially the villain who is evil and corrupt enough in this version without resorting to hyperbole in characterization. Surprisingly Miike followed the plot rather closely and his 45 minute single take battle scene is a triumph, but I found Kudo's climatic battle scene equally engaging. I certainly would to search out more films by Kudo, who seems to have been over looked in that second golden age of cinema that took place in the 60s.