Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)

Part I of Hiroshi Inagaki’s trilogy about the life of the legendary samurai tells of his early years, of the transition from soldier to outlaw.
Knowing the story from reading the histories doesn't weaken the tale in any way. The power is in the telling and in the performances. Mifune proves that he can do heartbreakingly humble just as well as he can do fierce intensity. His female co-star, Kaoru Yachigusa, is equally as amazing in her role.
The journey begins with two friends going to war, accompanied by the sound of a tolling bell. It starts good and gets better and better as it nears its end.

4 strong boughs out of 5