release year: 1958
genre: samurai
viewing setting: home DVD, 4/22/00
what I expected: wasn't sure
what I got: yet another reminder that samurai movies are really hard to appreciate for those not brought up in that sort of culture
synopsis: Two bumbling fools end up allied with a great warrior and a princess as they try to smuggle themselves and a fortune in gold from one province to another.
impressions: I tried...I really tried to pay attention and follow this. It just didn't happen. Half the time, I had little or no idea what was going on, who the characters were, and why they were doing whatever they were doing. I have no doubt that this (and many other similar movies) are epics - and there's no doubt that they're well-made and -acted - but these movies just don't ENTERTAIN me.
acting: Pretty good, I suppose, though it didn't help me enjoy the movie that much more.
final word: For fans of the genre only.
rating: C