14 reviews
Matsu the Great
The story of a great man indeed. A man who, despite his poverty and unjustifiable way of life, finds happiness and appreciates the simple and basic things in it, and the people who make contact with him quickly recognize his great character and kindness. Toshiro Mifune may have just delivered one of his best performances in his whole acting career, so different from his usual expressions he would normally showcase in Kurosawa's films. In this film, while in some parts he impersonates a similar role to those he would do in Kurosawa's films, he mostly adopts a personality of a humble, charitable man. He is definitely the core and character that makes this film overflow with greatness, although many of the other people involved in the cast are just as important.
The fact that this film is very rare and difficult to track, in my opinion, is comparable to the unfortunate life of Matsu (character enacted by Toshiro Mifune) who, being a wonderful man, goes through life mainly unnoticed and unacknowledged; only some people get to know him better and firmly state that he could have been someone big. Such is the fate of this film; it is highly underrated, but if you are fortunate enough to find it, you will behold the story of an admirable man.
The fact that this film is very rare and difficult to track, in my opinion, is comparable to the unfortunate life of Matsu (character enacted by Toshiro Mifune) who, being a wonderful man, goes through life mainly unnoticed and unacknowledged; only some people get to know him better and firmly state that he could have been someone big. Such is the fate of this film; it is highly underrated, but if you are fortunate enough to find it, you will behold the story of an admirable man.
Beautiful, Sensitive and Heartbreaking
In the turn of the Twentieth Century, the rickshaw driver Matsugoro "Matsu" (Toshir� Mifune) is a happy man and a troublemaker well-known by everyone in his village. One day, Matsu sees an injured boy, Toshio, and brings him home. His mother Yoshiko Yoshioka (Hideko Takamine) asks Matsuo to take the boy to the doctor and then her husband Capt. Kotaro Yoshioka (Hiroshi Akutagawa) asks her to reward Matsu. However the rickshaw man refuses the money and becomes a friend of the family. When Kotaro unexpectedly dies, Matsuo helps Yoshiko to raise her son. Soon he falls in love with her, but he does not dare to open his heart to Yoshiko since they belong to different social classes.
"Muhomatsu no issho", a.k.a. "The Rickshaw Man", is a beautiful, sensitive and heartbreaking movie that begins as a comedy but ends in a melodrama. The story of the impossible love of a poor but good man in a Japan with a rigid social class structure has a very sad ending. The performance of Toshir� Mifune is impressive and the director Hiroshi Inagaki won a Golden Lion in the Venice Filme Festival (1958). I have just surprisingly found that this movie is a remake of the unknown 1943 "Muhomatsu no issho". My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "O Homem do Riquix�" ("The Rickshaw Man")
"Muhomatsu no issho", a.k.a. "The Rickshaw Man", is a beautiful, sensitive and heartbreaking movie that begins as a comedy but ends in a melodrama. The story of the impossible love of a poor but good man in a Japan with a rigid social class structure has a very sad ending. The performance of Toshir� Mifune is impressive and the director Hiroshi Inagaki won a Golden Lion in the Venice Filme Festival (1958). I have just surprisingly found that this movie is a remake of the unknown 1943 "Muhomatsu no issho". My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "O Homem do Riquix�" ("The Rickshaw Man")
- claudio_carvalho
- Feb 12, 2015
- Permalink
WOW!
Oh WOW! this film is slipping out off the radar, played by the great Toshiro Mifune, it's a tragedy of a great man named Muhomatsu, a Rickshaw Man. if you're looking for a great classic tear-jerker japanese drama then this is definitely a must to see!
- CitizenKaneAAAAA
- Sep 15, 2018
- Permalink
A soap opera but an amazing one filled with great acting.
Like the other comments, this movie should be available on DVD or VHS. I remember seeing it 40 years ago and its brilliance stands out in my mind as if I saw it yesterday.
Toshiro Mifune plays against type. No samurai warrior he, but a humble Rickshaw man secretly in love with an upper class woman. He shepherds her son throughout the years and the woman, while almost recognizing the Rickshaw Man has helped make her son a man, never comprehends the love Mifune has for her.
A classic woman's film that caused this man to cry. And the fact that it stars Mifune and is directed by a macho director who likes to do period Samurai movies is amazing. Two macho stars making one of the great soaps of all time. And I mean that in the best of ways.
Toshiro Mifune plays against type. No samurai warrior he, but a humble Rickshaw man secretly in love with an upper class woman. He shepherds her son throughout the years and the woman, while almost recognizing the Rickshaw Man has helped make her son a man, never comprehends the love Mifune has for her.
A classic woman's film that caused this man to cry. And the fact that it stars Mifune and is directed by a macho director who likes to do period Samurai movies is amazing. Two macho stars making one of the great soaps of all time. And I mean that in the best of ways.
I agree
I last saw this film nearly 35 years ago and would like to see an English subtitled DVD one more time before I go. Of all the films that Mifune Toshiro made, this is the one I love the most. Mifune's portrayal of a common man who does not apologize for his lot in life but instead lives it to it's fullest extent is both amusing and inspirational.
There was also a version done by Mikuni Rentaro (Toei Studios) that I have seen. At this point in time, I am willing to watch any of the many remakes of this film.
Hopefully someone with some "juice" will read these comments and act on bringing a good English subtitled version to DVD.
There was also a version done by Mikuni Rentaro (Toei Studios) that I have seen. At this point in time, I am willing to watch any of the many remakes of this film.
Hopefully someone with some "juice" will read these comments and act on bringing a good English subtitled version to DVD.
- 72256-2737
- Jul 28, 2005
- Permalink
Great acting and story
While filled with pathos, there is enough fun in this film to keep you on your toes. Set in Japan at the turn of the 20th century, it shows how a simple rickshaw man has to adjust to the modernization of his country. Menawhile, keeping his promise to a dead client, he cares for the wife and child of the dead naval officer. The hitch is that he loves the beautiful widow and child. Yet, is constrained by social boundries from ever expressing it to them.
Only Mifune could have turned in a performance such as this.
Just wish they'd remaster this rascal and offer it as a DVD.
Only Mifune could have turned in a performance such as this.
Just wish they'd remaster this rascal and offer it as a DVD.
My Absolute Fave of All Time
It's just a darn shame that this isn't available on tape or DVD. It is a delightful yarn about the upheaval in Japan at the coming of the 20th Century. Besides being a good tale, it gives the viewer a lot of insight into the metamorphosis of Japanese society away from the samurai code and into the Machine-Age. Funny and thought-provoking. Mifune got my attention with this film. I was a devoted fan after seeing "The Rickshaw Man" (as the posters proclaimed). Another bonus is the very excellent production design. There was no doubt in your mind what era the movie was transporting you to. And, for something shot in the '50s, you wouldn't find any complaints about the cinema-photography. You know, if a producer had half a brain, he/she couldn't go wrong with doing a remake of this film.
An excellent film!
Why on earth its so hard to get this film on video? Only an extreme bad English subtitled VHS, a good Chinese subtitle, but no German subtitle or German synchronized. I saw this film 40 years ago in German cinema, and except a Japanese VHS or DVD (see above)there's nothing to receive. This film is so good, that I even can understand the meaning of the Japanese Video. (With the help of my Japanese woman) The tragedy of a Rikshaman is shown in an excellent way, how he helps a young boy, when his father died, and that he cant marry the mother of that boy, because he is from a "lower Kaste". I hope one day I will get a German - or at least an English copy, to understand all the words, they say.
- liliput2002
- Dec 21, 2004
- Permalink
Big Production, Small Movie!
- net_orders
- May 12, 2017
- Permalink
Just Wonderful
First of all, you could never go wrong with a pairing of Toshiro Mifune and Hideko Takamine, two of the greatest actors that have ever been in film. Second, this tale of a rickshaw man known at the "Wild Matsu" who helps a young boy named Toshio and becomes a part of his growing up is told vividly through numerous scenes over time. Ms. Takamine plays Yoshiko, who was widowed soon after she met Matsu, and her performance is understated but essential to the film. Mr. Mifune, who is best remembered for works with the great Kurosawa, stretches his acting muscles greatly here, showing some vulnerability in a challenging role. There are so many films to recommend with Ms. Takamine and Mr. Mifune that are alternately entertaining and heartbreaking. This has both those elements and its a treasure of Japanese cinema.
- crossbow0106
- Aug 17, 2012
- Permalink
Comedy and drama of a rickshaw driver in 1905 Japan
- spotted-owl
- Aug 12, 2012
- Permalink
Post War Cultural Change Encouraging more Equality
- suford-51363
- Jul 28, 2018
- Permalink
Mifune Shines As Usual
When I think of Toshiro Mifune I usually think of the films he made with Akira Kurosawa, but he had a streak of excellent performances in interesting films directed by Hiroshi Inagaki. The first films I saw were the "Samurai Trilogy" (1954-56), three films based on the life of Miyamoto Musashi. That being said I was also impressed by The Rickshaw Man (1958). Mifune delivers his trademark "physical" role of Matsu "the Outlaw"(a title appropriated by Imamura in one of his documentaries) a larger than life rickshaw man in Kokura, Kyushu. Evidently, this is a remake of an earlier film, but i have never seen the previous film. Matsu befriends a small boy and becomes the surrogate father after the boy's father dies. He also carries a torch for the boy's mother played by Naruse regular Hideko Takamine. In this film we get to see Mifune win a running race,beat up several school boys in a big fight, and expertly play the taiko drum. The storyline is somewhat melodramatic, but Mifune carries the film with his charismatic performance-it is entertaining and worthwhile.
- pdmc-23460
- Feb 5, 2017
- Permalink
Sad tale about a poor Rikisha man....
Really great movie. About a poor rikisha man, Matsu)mifune) who cares for Toshio and her son after her husband, Yoshioka suddenly dies. Matsu acts as the boy's fatherly figure, he spots the child with a tangled up kite..he parks his rikshaw with a customer seated and runs over to help out the kid; he plays games, tells stories about himself to the kid and the best bit is the games..during a parade he jumps up to a great big kodo drum and begins to play...that is the best part. I won't give the end away. Gotta see that for yourself. but it's not happy. Like all Toshiro's movies, it's well worth the time to watch.