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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Germany, Japan, United States, France

1999

116 Min
Color
1.85:1
French, English
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
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DIR Jim Jarmusch

PROD Richard Guay, Jim Jarmusch

SCR Jim Jarmusch

DP Robby Müller

CAST Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Richard Portnow, Tricia Vessey, Isaach de Bankolé, RZA, Henry Silva, Gene Ruffini, Victor Argo, Camille Winbush

ED Jay Rabinowitz

PROD DES Ted Berner

MUSIC RZA

SOUND Anthony J. Ciccolini III

Cannes (In Competition), San Sebastián (American Way of Death)

Synopsis

In Jersey City, an African American hit man follows “Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai.” He lives alone, in simplicity with homing pigeons for company, calling himself Ghost Dog. His master, who saved his life eight years ago, is part of the local mob. When the boss’ daughter witnesses one of Ghost Dog’s hits, he becomes expendable. The first victims are his birds, and in response, Ghost Dog goes right at his attackers but does not want to harm his master or the young woman. On occasion, he talks with his best friend, a French-speaking Haitian who sells ice cream in the park, and with a child with whom he discusses books. Can he stay true to his code? And if he does, what is his fate? –IMDb

Director

Original

Jim Jarmusch

With his trademark shock of white hair and ultra-cool rock star persona, Jim Jarmusch is the archetypal auteur of American independent film. Born on January 22, 1953, in Akron, OH, Jarmusch was the son of a former film critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In University, he went to Paris as an exchange student and spend most of his time at the Parisian Cinemas. Upon his return to New York, Jarmusch transferred to Columbia University, where, though he eventually received a degree in English literature. With no film experience, he was accepted into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and soon found himself a teaching assistant to legendary maverick filmmaker Nicholas Ray. Ray helped him get funding for his thesis project, Permanent Vacation (1980). Though the film was later released to critical acclaim, his professors were underwhelmed by his final project and Jarmusch never got a degree from N.Y.U.

Jarmusch’s break came with his next film; the 30-minute short eventually… read more

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ElTigreNegro

9May13

A black guy that's really into japanese culture, and fancys himself as a some sort of modern samurai, kills italian mobsters with style. It should be silly and a disaster, but Jarmusch somehow makes it work. The man is of course no Melville, or Suzuki, but he pays respects to both of them in a fine way.

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Jenelle Stafford

19Mar13

Best Jarmusch?

Miasma likes this

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Christopher M. Jones

1Mar13

One of those rare, wonderful things that's actually leagues ahead of most of the things it homages.(All due respect to Jean-Pierre, one of my favorite directors, but did HE have an original score composed by the RZA? I think not. Advantage: Ghost Dog)

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Gylfi

26Feb13

Although I can't put this in the same league as Melville's masterpiece, this is still a damn fine reimagining of his story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it, especially to those who are either familiar with the other Jarmusch films or have seen Le Samouraï.

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MISUNDERSTOOD MASTERPIECE

By Marcus WP on July 18, 2011

A lotta people look at me like I’m crazy when i tell them that i think Ghost Dog is a masterpiece (much like how i imagine Jim Jarmusch’s peers looked at him when he said he wanted to make a semi-martial…  read review

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

By Tony Paulett​o on December 28, 2009

An electrifying meditation on ancient ethics now obsolete in society. Jarmush conducts a soulful opera dotted with symbolism and satire and grafted to the proverbs of Bushido. Forest Whitaker is a…  read review

Untitled

By Eloi MV on September 24, 2009

After some ecclectique and challenging debut such as Stranger than Paradise or Down by Law, Jim Jarmusch his back to the colour picture with this contemporary urban samurai movie. At first, it could…  read review

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