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The& #39; best Japanese film of each year& #39; list by the BFI tickled my Daiei fan sensibility, so here is a little thread of my choice of best film from Daiei studio for each year from 1951 to 1971. Subjective so open to insults of course.
#BestofDaiei https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/best-japanese-film-every-year">https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opin...
#BestofDaiei https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/best-japanese-film-every-year">https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opin...
1951
Clothes of Deception
偽れる盛装
dir. by Kozaburo Yoshimura
Great year for the studio, with Mizoguchi& #39;s & #39;Ms Oyu& #39; and 2 Yoshimura films: an adaptation of Genji and this splendid Mizoguchi-influenced geisha drama written by Shindo, with Machiko Kyo at her very best
#BestOfDaiei
Clothes of Deception
偽れる盛装
dir. by Kozaburo Yoshimura
Great year for the studio, with Mizoguchi& #39;s & #39;Ms Oyu& #39; and 2 Yoshimura films: an adaptation of Genji and this splendid Mizoguchi-influenced geisha drama written by Shindo, with Machiko Kyo at her very best
#BestOfDaiei
1952
Lightning
稲妻
dir. By Mikio Naruse
A masterpiece from Naruse at Daiei. Devastatingly pessimistic manifesto about a woman (Hideko Takamine) at a crossroad, facing mostly depressing options. Of course. Subtle masochistic poetry of quiet despair. His best imo.
#BestOfDaiei
Lightning
稲妻
dir. By Mikio Naruse
A masterpiece from Naruse at Daiei. Devastatingly pessimistic manifesto about a woman (Hideko Takamine) at a crossroad, facing mostly depressing options. Of course. Subtle masochistic poetry of quiet despair. His best imo.
#BestOfDaiei
1953
Ugetsu
雨月物語
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
A golden year at Daiei (Toyoda& #39;s & #39;Wild Geese& #39;, Naruse& #39;s & #39;Older Brother, Younger Sister& #39;), dominated by this monument. Not too bad a year for Mr Mizoguchi, with & #39;Ugetsu& #39; in March and ‘A Geisha& #39; (祇園囃子) released in August
#BestOfDaiei
Ugetsu
雨月物語
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
A golden year at Daiei (Toyoda& #39;s & #39;Wild Geese& #39;, Naruse& #39;s & #39;Older Brother, Younger Sister& #39;), dominated by this monument. Not too bad a year for Mr Mizoguchi, with & #39;Ugetsu& #39; in March and ‘A Geisha& #39; (祇園囃子) released in August
#BestOfDaiei
1954
近松物語
The Crucified Lovers
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
Mizoguchi absolute Daiei champion with three must-see films that year, Sansho the Bailiff (山椒大夫) The Woman in the Rumor (噂の女) and The Crucified Lovers. The heart of the golden age.
#BestOfDaiei
近松物語
The Crucified Lovers
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
Mizoguchi absolute Daiei champion with three must-see films that year, Sansho the Bailiff (山椒大夫) The Woman in the Rumor (噂の女) and The Crucified Lovers. The heart of the golden age.
#BestOfDaiei
1955
Taira Clan Saga
新・平家物語
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
Daiei grand spectacle at his most sublime : Mizoguchi in color, Miyagawa’s stunning cinematography and the eclosion of the ultimate ‘hero anti-hero’ star of the coming decade : Raizo Ichikawa.
#BestOfDaiei
Taira Clan Saga
新・平家物語
dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi
Daiei grand spectacle at his most sublime : Mizoguchi in color, Miyagawa’s stunning cinematography and the eclosion of the ultimate ‘hero anti-hero’ star of the coming decade : Raizo Ichikawa.
#BestOfDaiei
1956
Street of Shame
赤線地帯
dir. By Kenji Mizoguchi
Mizoguchi& #39;s last film was released in March. He died in August. You all know this one, that dominates a great year at Daiei with Yoshimura’s & #39;River of the Night& #39; and the sensational Kon Ichikawa’s & #39;Nihonbashi’.
#BestOfDaiei
Street of Shame
赤線地帯
dir. By Kenji Mizoguchi
Mizoguchi& #39;s last film was released in March. He died in August. You all know this one, that dominates a great year at Daiei with Yoshimura’s & #39;River of the Night& #39; and the sensational Kon Ichikawa’s & #39;Nihonbashi’.
#BestOfDaiei
1957
Night Butterflies
夜の蝶
dir. by Kozaburo Yoshimura
Hard to choose, in a year marked by Masumura’s stunning debut (3 films!) a Misumi masterpiece (The Demon Crusader) and Ichikawa’s ‘Hole’, but ‘Night Butterflies’ stole my heart. Ginza nights lit by Miyagawa...
#BestOfDaiei
Night Butterflies
夜の蝶
dir. by Kozaburo Yoshimura
Hard to choose, in a year marked by Masumura’s stunning debut (3 films!) a Misumi masterpiece (The Demon Crusader) and Ichikawa’s ‘Hole’, but ‘Night Butterflies’ stole my heart. Ginza nights lit by Miyagawa...
#BestOfDaiei
1958
Enjo (Conflagration)
炎上
dir. by Kon Ichikawa
The BFI lists another Daiei film as favorite for 1958 (the über-cool ‘Giant and Toys’ by Masumura) but Ichikawa’s haunting adaptation of Mishima is unreachable, served by one of Raizo Ichikawa’s best performances.
#BestofDaiei
Enjo (Conflagration)
炎上
dir. by Kon Ichikawa
The BFI lists another Daiei film as favorite for 1958 (the über-cool ‘Giant and Toys’ by Masumura) but Ichikawa’s haunting adaptation of Mishima is unreachable, served by one of Raizo Ichikawa’s best performances.
#BestofDaiei
1959
浮草
Floating Weeds
dir. by Yasujiro Ozu
Ozu at Daiei ! In color ! Cinematography by Miyagawa ! Daiei all-star cast ! That already would be enough.
But of course if you’re reading this you know this absolute beloved masterpiece. Cinema perfection.
#BestofDaiei
浮草
Floating Weeds
dir. by Yasujiro Ozu
Ozu at Daiei ! In color ! Cinematography by Miyagawa ! Daiei all-star cast ! That already would be enough.
But of course if you’re reading this you know this absolute beloved masterpiece. Cinema perfection.
#BestofDaiei
1960
Satan’s Sword
大菩薩峠
dir. By Kenji Misumi
Nothing can beat Misumi’s first chapter of the Great Buddha Pass adaptation, thanks in great part to Raizo Ichikawa as mad swordsman Tsukue, all in subdued oily depression slowly melting into madness. Masterpiece.
#BestofDaiei
Satan’s Sword
大菩薩峠
dir. By Kenji Misumi
Nothing can beat Misumi’s first chapter of the Great Buddha Pass adaptation, thanks in great part to Raizo Ichikawa as mad swordsman Tsukue, all in subdued oily depression slowly melting into madness. Masterpiece.
#BestofDaiei
1961
Ten Dark Women
黒い十人の女
Dir. By Kon Ichikawa
Impossible choice again for Daiei 1961, with Kawashima’s ‘Women are Born Twice ‘ and Masumura’s ‘ A Wife Confesses’ (both sensational), but this dark murder comedy with a female all-star cast is just irresistible.
#BestofDaiei
Ten Dark Women
黒い十人の女
Dir. By Kon Ichikawa
Impossible choice again for Daiei 1961, with Kawashima’s ‘Women are Born Twice ‘ and Masumura’s ‘ A Wife Confesses’ (both sensational), but this dark murder comedy with a female all-star cast is just irresistible.
#BestofDaiei
1962
The Elegant Beast
しとやかな獣
Dir. by Yuzo Kawashima
It& #39;s the year of Zatoichi and Shinobi, but even those submit to the power of the Elegant Beast, fantastic Italian style comedy huis-clos, with Ayako Wakao at her most irresistible.
#BestofDaiei
The Elegant Beast
しとやかな獣
Dir. by Yuzo Kawashima
It& #39;s the year of Zatoichi and Shinobi, but even those submit to the power of the Elegant Beast, fantastic Italian style comedy huis-clos, with Ayako Wakao at her most irresistible.
#BestofDaiei
1963
An Actor& #39;s Revenge
雪之丞変化
Dir. by Kon Ichikawa
No contest that year. Most beautiful revenge film you& #39;ll ever see, another masterpiece by Kon Ichikawa, pushing the Daiei aesthetics to unknown heights, a jewel carved for Kazuo Hasegawa& #39;s stunning grandeur.
#BestofDaiei
An Actor& #39;s Revenge
雪之丞変化
Dir. by Kon Ichikawa
No contest that year. Most beautiful revenge film you& #39;ll ever see, another masterpiece by Kon Ichikawa, pushing the Daiei aesthetics to unknown heights, a jewel carved for Kazuo Hasegawa& #39;s stunning grandeur.
#BestofDaiei
1964
Kyoshiro Nemuri: Sword of Seduction
眠狂四郎女妖剣
Dir. by Kazuo Ikehiro
It took 3 films to get the formula right, but with its 4th episode, Raizo& #39;s amoral son of a black mass swordsman Kyoshiro Nemuri becomes a legend. And nothing is sacred anymore.
#BestofDaiei
Kyoshiro Nemuri: Sword of Seduction
眠狂四郎女妖剣
Dir. by Kazuo Ikehiro
It took 3 films to get the formula right, but with its 4th episode, Raizo& #39;s amoral son of a black mass swordsman Kyoshiro Nemuri becomes a legend. And nothing is sacred anymore.
#BestofDaiei
1965
Sword Devil
剣鬼
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
All Raizo fans love it when he is marked by a cruel destiny, here his talent for the sword. Like an unwilling Tsukue, Raizo makes this curse drama one of the most poignant swords film ever. Misumi at his best.
#BestofDaiei
Sword Devil
剣鬼
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
All Raizo fans love it when he is marked by a cruel destiny, here his talent for the sword. Like an unwilling Tsukue, Raizo makes this curse drama one of the most poignant swords film ever. Misumi at his best.
#BestofDaiei
1966
Red Angel
赤い天使
Dir. by Yasuzo Masumura
He& #39;s my favorite director but only appears on top in 1966? it& #39;s absurd! Sublime anti-war drama of desire and death that will make you fall in love with Ayako Wakao, redemption of men& #39;s madness. Nishi Sakura forever.
#BestofDaiei
Red Angel
赤い天使
Dir. by Yasuzo Masumura
He& #39;s my favorite director but only appears on top in 1966? it& #39;s absurd! Sublime anti-war drama of desire and death that will make you fall in love with Ayako Wakao, redemption of men& #39;s madness. Nishi Sakura forever.
#BestofDaiei
1967
Two Wives
妻二人
Dir. by Yasuzo Masumura
You may prefer his & #39;Love for an Idiot& #39; (痴人の愛) of the same year, but I fell in love with this Masumura cruel drama, mostly for its absolute elegance and subtle directing. Ayako Wakao + Mariko Okada. How can you resist?
#BestofDaiei
Two Wives
妻二人
Dir. by Yasuzo Masumura
You may prefer his & #39;Love for an Idiot& #39; (痴人の愛) of the same year, but I fell in love with this Masumura cruel drama, mostly for its absolute elegance and subtle directing. Ayako Wakao + Mariko Okada. How can you resist?
#BestofDaiei
1968
The Man Without a Map
燃えつきた地図
Dir. by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Only a snob would put Shintaro Katsu finally on top with this one, so blame me. But this labyrinth of a film you can& #39;t resist. Nothing is better than when Katsu loses himself. A man without a map.
#BestofDaiei
The Man Without a Map
燃えつきた地図
Dir. by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Only a snob would put Shintaro Katsu finally on top with this one, so blame me. But this labyrinth of a film you can& #39;t resist. Nothing is better than when Katsu loses himself. A man without a map.
#BestofDaiei
1969
The Devil& #39;s Temple
鬼の棲む舘
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
Yes, it& #39;s the year of Gosha& #39;s Hitokiri and of Ikehiro& #39;s Castle Menagerie the poignant last chapter of the Nemuri Kyoshiro saga, but nothing can beat this masterpiece. Tanizaki by Misumi. Perfect cast and crew.
#BestofDaiei
The Devil& #39;s Temple
鬼の棲む舘
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
Yes, it& #39;s the year of Gosha& #39;s Hitokiri and of Ikehiro& #39;s Castle Menagerie the poignant last chapter of the Nemuri Kyoshiro saga, but nothing can beat this masterpiece. Tanizaki by Misumi. Perfect cast and crew.
#BestofDaiei
1970
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
座頭市あばれ火祭り
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
Daiei may be dying by 1970 but Katsu is better than ever. 21st Zatoichi: cinematography by Miyagawa, directed by Misumi, Tatsuya Nakadai comes to steal the show. Franchise fatigue? Never
#BestofDaiei
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
座頭市あばれ火祭り
Dir. by Kenji Misumi
Daiei may be dying by 1970 but Katsu is better than ever. 21st Zatoichi: cinematography by Miyagawa, directed by Misumi, Tatsuya Nakadai comes to steal the show. Franchise fatigue? Never
#BestofDaiei
1971
The Big Boss - Kaoyaku
顔役
Dir. by Shintaro Katsu
Daiei dies and Katsu takes the studio crews into a new wave world of hand held cameras and hard boiled filthy yakuza drama. Freedom has a bitter taste? Katsu washes it down with booze and furor. Farewell Daiei.
#BestofDaiei
The Big Boss - Kaoyaku
顔役
Dir. by Shintaro Katsu
Daiei dies and Katsu takes the studio crews into a new wave world of hand held cameras and hard boiled filthy yakuza drama. Freedom has a bitter taste? Katsu washes it down with booze and furor. Farewell Daiei.
#BestofDaiei
