An Essay On Color And Layering

Rating: 9/10 (2 September 2006)

Perhaps this isn't quite one of Kurosawa's absolute triumphs, but there are definite pieces that are essential viewing.
In particular, there is the layered color composition. The dusty soldiers in the foreground, with the army marching from right to left in the middle of the shot against the low sun and blood red sky...the 'offering of sake to the lake god' and the layers of observers...the decimation of Wind, Fire and Forest...visual feasts, all, with the elements stacked a good three layers deep (and sometimes more).
The 'story' is really about the triumph of Western storytelling over traditional forms - Shakespeare over Noh theater, Catholic benediction over indigenous faith, even red wine over sake...but especially Western muskets over cavalry, lances and Sun Tzu's war philosophies.
The viewer detects strong self-reference in the craft: Kurosawa as a 'thief' of ideas hired to play another character, within an sustained illusion, then cast out by the elites when his usefulness expires.