JUDO SAGA 2

Japan, 1943, 83 minutes, Black and white.
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Judo Saga 2 follows on the original Judo Saga, made by Akira Kurosawa during World War 2. These are two of his earliest films. By 1950, with Rashomon, he had emerged as one of the world's leading directors. He made Living, The Seventh Samurai, Throne of Blood and other films during the '50s as well as Yojimbo and Sanjuro, High and Low, The Lower Depths during the '60s, Derzu Uzala during the '70s and Kagamusha and Ran during the '80s. This is a basic film, set in the 1880s in Yokohama, highlighting the Japanese martial arts traditions and the opening up to the West, especially to the United States, and the sport of boxing.

1. The early work of Kurosawa? His subsequent career? This film in his development?

2. The black and white photography, the style of film-making in the '40s, the 1880s setting? Design and style? The martial arts and their choreography? Musical score?

3. The history of Japan in the late 19th century, the retrospect of 50 or 60 years from the point of view of the '40s? The 1880s, Yokohama, the tradition of the martial arts, the arrival of the Americans?

4. Sugato - hero, his status, the martial arts, judo, his initial clash with the sailor, the badgering of the agent, his suspicion of boxing, his lifestyle, his adviser, the women in his life, the arguments?

5. The picturing of the martial arts, the variety of styles, judo, karate, jiu-jitsu? The contrasting style with boxing? Code, sport, physical contact, effect on the opponent? The rivalries of the various martial arts schools?

6. The promoter, Japan changing, the United States? William Lyster and the boxing bouts? Sugato and his reaction?

7. The adviser, the traditions, the effect on Sugato?

8. The boxing bout, the experience - and Kurosawa's view on boxing and the US?

9. The '40s consciousness in Japan - its isolation, coming to Empire, pre-World War 2, the effect of the war, traditions, the West, change?