The Samurai Trilogy DVD

The Samurai Trilogy is based around the life of the historical character Musashi Miyamoto. Born around 1584 he perfected the technique of two sword fighting as well as developing into a considerable Zen black ink artist. Having fought his first duel at the age of thirteen he was involved in 60 other engagements before his death in 1645. Musashi Miyamoto: The first episode of the trilogy covers Miyamoto's formative years as he emerges from rural obscurity to search for fame and glory in civil war but returns home a broken man. Brought back to sanity through the love... of a warm hearted girl she persuades him to place himself under the spiritual guidance of an unorthodox Buddhist priest. His methods of teaching the ways of enlightenment would make the fiercest of Zen masters seem positively gentle. Gaining in spiritual stature and insight Miyamoto is forced to choose between settling for domestic happiness or continuing his search for perfection in the art of the sword. Several versions of Miyamoto's life have been produced for cinema and television in Japan but none more prestigious than Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1955 this first film in the trilogy was also Toho's first foray into colour. Duel At Ichijoji Temple: At first a contemptuous wanderer whose only interest is to prove his prowess against the best Japan has to offer Miyamoto is brought to understand that mastery of the sword is mastery of the self. Along the way he moves from casually committing slaughter to adopting a more compassionate and merciful view of his fellow warriors... Duel At Ganryu Island: His destiny continues to pursue him! Settling down to a life on the land in a peasant village Miyamoto is drawn into protecting the villagers against marauding bandits. And beyond this battle lies the ultimate contest with the driven and obsessive Kojuo Sasaki. The epic closes in a stunning sunset duel... [show more]

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