ESSENTIAL SAMURAI FILMS

TOP 12 FIRST, THE REST IN YEAR ORDER

I’m not an action fan, some here are relatively slow and quiet, an alternative, let’s say- the 2 Mizoguchi films for instance are hardly full of violent action, and Yamanaka was more interested in character dramas. After the Rain (1999) is a surprisingly neglected film scripted by Kurosawa, directed by his long time assistant, i’m very fond of it. As it’s an “essentials” (not “favourites”) list, i’ve not seen all here- i’m drawing on received wisdom- and nor is it fully comprehensive. In year order.

suggestions welcome.