A BLOODY SPEAR AT MT FUJI
- Director: Tomo Uchida
- Year: 1955
| This is a classic 1950's jidaigeki film that spreads itself across at least 3 genres: Comedy, Action, & Martial Arts. It's essentially a road movie with a couple of small groups of traveler's stories converging along the way. It's an entertaining journey for the viewer as well, given far more screen time for comedy than other movies of it's ilk. There is a spectacular and violent spear/sword fight near the climax but if you're looking for a solid chambara flick and nothing else then look elsewhere. This is a period setting comedy that's short on violence and all-out action. |  |
The story begins by following a samurai and his two servants, one of whom is a lancer transporting a huge spear. We get the impression early on that the samurai isn't demanding and respects his servants; after giving the sword bearer a chance to rest because of a sore foot the servant is approached by a young boy of about 8. The kid, an orphan traveling alone, announces he wants to be a lancer some day and asks the servant to be his sensei. Despite the servants intial answer the boy begins to follow the group. Then a kind shamisen player and her daughter are introduced, also traveling the same road. Along the first village they have one of many encounters with the boy and his samurai group.
The characterization scenes are good, as they are usually humorous and not drawn out. When it seems like a situation is being introduced that's just annoying (the lords holding up the entire highway for a tea ceremony) the director pays off the viewer (the kid's diarrhea stinks up said ceremony). The same is true of the sub-plot of the samurai's alcoholism, though this story leads to darker and more somber consequences after truly hilarious beginnings.
The film is excellent for what it is, a comedic jidaigeki that doesn't try to be sweeping and monumental. Every time I watch it it feels like I'm delving into one of Zatoichi's road oriented adventures. And I think that's a good recommendation point, if you like Zatoichi or movies that are jidaigeki first and chambara second then you'll love this movie. AKA Chiyari Fuji. | A Bloody Spear on Mt. Fuji (1955) |Torrent|
