Donzoko (1957)
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Duration: 137 minuten
Alternative titles: The Lower Depths / どん底
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Kōji Mitsui and Eiko Miyoshi
IMDb score:
7,2 (6.448)
Releasedate: 1 October 1957
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Donzoko plot
A number of eccentric characters reside in a boarding house in nineteenth-century Japan, including the thief Sutekichi, with whom the boarding house owner Osugi is in love. However, Sutekichi is in love with Osugi's sister.
Actors and actresses
Sutekichi the Thief
Osugi the Landlady
Okayo, Osugi's Sister
Rokubei, Osugi's Husband
Former Samurai
The Actor
Osen the Prostitute
Otaki the Candy-Seller
Yoshisaburo the Gambler
Tomekichi the Tinker
Reviews & comments
Knisper
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- 13052 messages
- 1282 votes
I also thought it was a tough piece of film. The location with the guesthouse (or what passes for it) is very interesting and for that matter also a glimpse into a piece of history, which I don't have much knowledge of. The film is limited to the land of the landlord, which on the one hand is a very strong choice, because no unnecessary distracting factors emerge, but on the other hand it also makes the film limited in variety. The characters are interesting enough to follow, but not intriguing either.
A moment where the film is really good is the final scene, in which a strong 'performance is given' in different costumes and with vocals and instrument. However, the film and the location do not remain fascinating for the full running time, so that it has become quite a tough one. More interesting than really good.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Spetie
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- 38871 messages
- 8432 votes
Kurosawa paints a picture of the people who are not so well off. To put it mildly, it is quite a colorful group of people, who all have their own problems and concerns. Kurosawa also dares to deliver a piece of social criticism and Donzo is particularly successful on that point.
The direction is also well done and in terms of cinematography it all looks good. I found the characters different. The acting itself is good, with Mifune stealing the show once again. I found the busy cackling women a lot less successful. Lots of shouting especially, which gave it all an Italian touch, but in a more negative way. The humor didn't always get through to me either.
The last quarter is strong, by the way, as is the beautiful ending.
3.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
mjk87 (moderator films)
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- 14760 messages
- 4631 votes
Clearly one of the least of our Japanese friend, this second theatrical adaptation of Kurosawa in 1957 (and a film without Shimura). But where in Throne of Blood he uses the medium of film very well (even though that film has its flaws because it comes from a theater text), this has been filmed much more as a stage performance.
And every time I see something like this I wonder what kind of fetish those directors have for the theater and especially want to film it so badly. I read a strong review saying that Kurosawa chooses to keep everything in focus and you see the whole room and you have to look where you want to look, like in a real theater. That is true, but visually I really didn't find anything interesting in it. The few outdoor shots are immediately a lot more interesting. Only that almost last shot when that woman walks back and appears in the doorway is still fine.
But I couldn't do anything with it either. All real theater characters: too much caricature and too little real. And also very overacted. Finished that with a lot of texts that couldn't interest me either. For me I think the least Kurosawa I've seen. 1.5*.
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