Samurai I

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Virgo V Musashi Miyamoto (Miyamoto Musashi) is a 1954 Japanese film directed and co-written by Hiroshi Inagaki. The film is the first film of Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy of historical adventures. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi, originally released as a serial in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, between 1935 and 1939. The novel is loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. The film was followed by Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955) and Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956). It stars Toshiro Mifune, Rentarō Mikuni and Kuroemon Onoe. It was distributed and produced by Toho Company, Limited. Ikuma Dan was responsible for the music. Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto was the second Toho film production in color and the first in the Eastman Color process. It won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1955, further cementing its critical and commercial acclaim. Vision wrote: “the film establishes itself in the year 1600 with a victory in the Battle of Sekigahara. The samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi is believed to have fought in this battle. Before his capture, he was striking down men so fast as if they were blades of grass. Toshiro Mifune as Miyamoto was probably one of his best roles ever. Toshiro Mifune showcases his qualities. Outstanding! Four fries for the direction, the performances, the production and the screenplay. Hiroshi Inagaki comes out on top. I would highly recommend this film as it solidifies its status as one of the greatest Japanese films of all time. Just my onion of an opinion.” Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/06/25 Full Review Johnathon W Rather incomplete film that, while features a great lead performance by Toshiro Mifune, doesn't feel like a full story. Mifune is superb as Musashi, especially in portraying his younger, more violent side before he learned to become a true samurai. Unfortunately, the filmmakers don't make it a full film, and it's reliant on the next two for a full story. A solid watch as part of the trilogy but not on its on. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/28/25 Full Review Audience Member I have seen Toshiro Mifune in many amazing Kurosawa movies, so expectations were already very high when I started watching the first Samurai movie. The trilogy has captured the evolution of a Samurai and a human being brilliantly. Adored this trilogy. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member The greatest 01 hour: and 32 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A samurai story from Japanese folklore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review william d Mifune made this film the same year he made The Seven Samurai. That film is definitely better, but this one is worth a watch if you like the genre. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Japan's greatest secret weapon: all ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Samurai I

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