Newsgroup: it.fan.starwars
Titolo: Lucas - Kurosawa, possibili spunti per Episode 2

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EPISODE II: MORE SAMURAI FILM INFLUENCES?
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George Lucas' admiration of the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa
is quite well known. Film critics and fans have drawn comparisons between
Star Wars and some of Kurosawa's classic samurai films, most notably The
Hidden Fortess. Getting past the obvious fact that Jedi are basically based
upon Samurai (in code and even mannerisms) there are other, subtle,
similarities between Star Wars and Kurosawa/samurai films (farmers, generals
both good and bad, political turmoil, backdrop of Civil War, etc).
With recent leaks producing clues to what looks to be an exciting action
scene in Episode II, we've talked to some of our sources and have pieced
together a couple of small comparsions with Kurosawa and other samurai
movies that might make their way into the next two Star Wars prequels. (This
is informed speculation so not technically spoiler-filled. However, if you
are spoiler-averse...read with caution!):
The end of The Seven Samurai includes an epic ground battle between the
samurai and 30-40 bandits. Even though they are out-numbered, the samurai
prevail... though only three are left standing in the end. Could this play
out in a battle during The Clone Wars? Or perhaps later during the Jedi
Purge? Interesting possibilities. Also, it is important to note that the
seven samurai in the film are fighting to protect a village of farmers that
aren't actual moral people in the end. In fact, at the end of the film it is
quite obvious that the samurai were the victims and the only honorable
characters. Could THIS be used by Lucas? Sure! With slavery well-established
in Episode I and with cloning an obvious powderkeg, this subplot could
definitely show up sometime.
Another Kurosawa film, Sanjuro, features a Samurai who leads a group of
younger samurai and helps them win a series of battles during a conflict.
Could THIS pan out as part of the prequels? Maybe. Afterall, a similar
sub-plot was already used by Lucas in one of the earliest drafts of the
first Star Wars film.
In a few Kurosawa films, one of the samurai turns out to be an imposter,
meaning he isn't actually a true samurai. However, in most cases (notably
Toshiro Mifune's character in Seven Samurai) this character turns out to be
the most noble of the bunch and ends up as one of heroes and in turn proves
himself a true samurai in the end. Keep this in mind as well. (Reader Vion
Obli of Germany's "Star Wars Union" had this obsevation to add after reading
the above: "Could this be Jar Jar... !?! No Joke... They said (McCallum or
so...) in an interview that Jar Jar will be finally "a big one"... He´s no
real Jedi, but he could/should be a big hero in the end..." Hmm,
interesting. Good point. That would definitely surprise a few people, but
doesn't the irony kind of fit (and it would certainly fall in line with the
Kurosawa/samurai influences). Thanks for bringing that to our attention,
Vion. It really is a vital point, because Mifune's character in Seven
Samurai starts off as pretty much a bafoon. He's the comic relief character
that no one, including the other samurai, takes seriously. Yet in the end he
redeems himself as worthy. This was so obvious it was right under our nose
and we didn't even think about it...
In Kurosawa's RAN, civil war erupts when three brothers are given control of
different provinces by their ruling father. One of the brothers turns
corrupt from the power... and "chaos" ensues. Doubtful this will be in any
of the films as it is here, but keep in mind that part of what unseeds the
Republic and ruins the galaxy may come from someone other than just
Palpatine. It could even be a character that is trusted.
One Kurosawa trademark is the betrayal of nobles. In essence, samurai are
sent on missions by those they trust and serve. In actuality, their leaders
are corrupt and purposely set the samurai up for failure. In some cases, the
samurai end up taking the blame for their master's misdeed. It doesn't take
a corellian space scientist to figure out that this ploy will probably be
used by Palpatine. Remember, as Chancellor he now controls the Jedi. They
must serve him in the name of the Republic. Now it's QUITE easy for him to
set them up to fail, or even fall out of favor with the populace. Hmm...
Another legend of Japanese cinema, Hiroshi Inagaki, made the classic Samurai
Trilogy back in the early 50s. In these films, Toshiro Mifune (obviously the
Harrison Ford of Japan) plays Musashi Miyamoto, a real-life 17th century
samurai and one of the most notable historical figures from Japan. Anyway,
the real thrust of these 3 films is Musashi's transformation from a young
warrior into one of the most honorable samurai of his time. Obiously,
Anakin's rise will be similar, though he ultimately falls from grace. But
what makes these films interestingly similar to what might transpire in
Episode II and III is that Musashi has a love interest. While not a queen,
the character of Otsu is quite kind-hearted and honorable. She is also loyal
to Musashi. What does this have to do with Star Wars? Well, one of the main
aspects of samurai life is that they must always be committed to the rules
of the samurai and their code. It's truly a religion to them (obvious
parallel to Jedi). Well, this lifestyle does not really permit a mate or
love interest, so samurai mentors and masters look down upon any relations
between their warrior and females. Since it appears that the Jedi are
basically celibate souls who serve only the Republic, it would make perfect
sense to see members of the Jedi Council disagree with Anakin courting
Amidala. In fact, they may even forbid him to be with her at some point...
and this might facilitate Anakin's turn to the darkside. Again,
speculation... but it will be interesting to see how this plays out. When
asked about this, one of our sources cryptically replied "Palpatine isn't
the only one responsible for Anakin turning." Hmm... The love triangle
between Anakin, Amidala, and Obi-Wan is still possible, but probably not
likely. Think about the ways of the Jedi (as we know them and as we
speculate they might be) and it would appear that we MAY be on to something
here...
Also established in samurai lore (and in some of the films) is the tradition
of changing one's name when he sets down the samurai path. In the first film
of the Samurai trilogy, Musashi Miyamoto is actually Takezo, a flawed and
reckless warrior who believes he his destined to become a samurai. When he
is betrayed by his best friend and his entire home town, he is tricked by a
monk who is determined to break him from his youthful ways and turn him into
a samurai. The monk locks Takezo in a room for several years. When he
finally emerges, he sets down the samurai to start his training and his
never-ending quest for knowledge. Before this, however, he sheds his former
self and takes the samurai name Musashi Miyamoto (it is then that he is to
forsake his love of Otsu in order to fully embrace the life of a samurai).
Now, we know that the Dark lords take on Sith titles in the Star Wars films.
Who's to say that the Jedi don't do something similar? Is Obi-Wan Kenobi his
"real" name? This has been speculated about before in fandom, but just think
about what curve balls Lucas might throw at us if he so chooses. If Qui-Gon
Jinn is a "Jedi name", then who was he? Could his "true" identity yet be
revealed as part of the prequel storyline? The possibilities are endless...
Again, Lucas' love for the samurai way and the films is obvious to everyone.
We have only scratched the surface of possible sub-plots that the prequels
might contain that reflect those used in some classic samurai films. No
matter what happens... one thing is certain: these movies have clearly
influenced the existing Star Wars films. Don't look for Lucas to change the
formula too much as the final two films draw the saga to a close.

 endless...
Anche questa ipotesi e' molto plausibile.
Oltre alla questione del cambio del nome (che spiegherebbe perche' Obi-Wan
ha un nome diverso dal fratello Owen Lars), penso che Qui-Gon avra' un
qualche ruolo anche nei prossimi due film. Dopotutto e' lui che trova Anakin
e individua nel bambino il "prescelto", portando cosi' il protagonista
assoluto della saga al centro degli eventi.
--
(Trottolino)