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Kruczek
10-10-2010, 22:55
There is a new movie, for free, out on Hulu called "When the Last Sword is Drawn". It looks at the Meiji restoration and the aftermath of it around the turn of the century. Compared to similar work like "The Last Samurai" it is much more accurate on the smaller details that tend to ruin martial arts movies for martial artists. Sadly it is in Japanese with English subtitles - but I honestly didn't feel like it impacted the enjoyment at all.

I can't post the link, but it is easy to find using their search feature. I absolutely loved the little things like seeing them in the old raised wooden sandles (similar to what Gichin Funakoshi used to wear), the change in hair from before and after the meiji era started (1868), etc.

Final note on watching this movie. Around the 1/4th way mark there is a rather confusing change of timeline that took me a rewind and some staring to figure out. It starts in 1899ish, jumps to 1868, back tracks to 1867ish, and then continues back and forth between 1868 and 1899 (which is easy to identify). So if suddenly you feel confused asking "where did the family come from?" its the part that they jump back again in the storyline and then it will meet back up a few minutes later.

Hope everyone enjoys it - by far one of the best movies I have watched in a while and it has a cool twist ending, which is always a plus.
Webmaster
10-10-2010, 23:49
Here is a link to the movie that Theodore is referencing above.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/84241/when-the-last-sword-is-drawn

Thanks for posting info on this movie. As I sit at home convalescing, this should make for good entertainment!
David Craik
10-11-2010, 09:35
Interesting too, as Saito is left-handed; and wears and uses his swords as such.
Kruczek
10-11-2010, 12:34
Interesting too, as Saito is left-handed; and wears and uses his swords as such.

Amazing how much better the Japanese are at pretending to be samurai :P
David Craik
10-11-2010, 12:49
Don't quite understand the connection above, but finished watching the film; it was very good.
Kruczek
10-11-2010, 14:36
Was just commenting on the fact that he most likely has a little background in kendo/kenjutsu - or an incredible technical advisor because there aren't random scenes where he looks awkward with the sword or randomly becomes right handed.

Was thinking back to the 80s hollywood movies where people have swords - but darned if they have any clue what they are doing with them. Glad you enjoyed the movie though, best things are normally free :P
drivica
10-12-2010, 04:08
I envy you guys, in my country I cannot watch this film.... Anyone care to make it available on Rapidshare, or send me a DVD? Or upload parts of it on YouTube? Thanks!
Webmaster
10-12-2010, 21:42
I envy you guys, in my country I cannot watch this film.... Anyone care to make it available on Rapidshare, or send me a DVD? Or upload parts of it on YouTube? Thanks!

Ivica, asking someone to violate the law is not something we can condone... especially since the movie isn't that good. Anyway, do some searching and you'll likely find other sources for the video that you can legally access.
Bruno@BS
10-18-2010, 01:17
Was thinking back to the 80s hollywood movies where people have swords - but darned if they have any clue what they are doing with them. Glad you enjoyed the movie though, best things are normally free :P

Off topic, but when they were shooting Lord of the Rings, Aragorn wore his sword everywhere for the entire length of the project. Both on the set and off the set. He did this so that he learned to move natural with a sword swinging at his side.