Musashi; The dream of the Last Samurai DVD
Musashi; The dream of the Last Samurai DVD (Manga Entertainment)
Miyamoto Musashi is a name most Japanese citizens would recognise. A legend and a swordsman who has become part-historical figure and part-myth, he’s credited as writing the key texts of Japanese samurai tactics and philosophy ‘The Book of Five Rings.’ He is also credited for creating the Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu style of fighting with two swords, perhaps the most recognized trademark of the samurai. But even with so many books written about him and an almost infinite number of movies, anime and Manga stories (inspired by his teachings and his legend), Musashi: The Dream of the Last Samurai attempts to answer the big question; what motivated the great warrior to adopt and perfect his dual bladed style? This is more of a history lesson than a flat out drama series, and it’s great to check out and soak up on a rainy Sunday. The whole focus of this documentary is Musashi and his techniques of weaponry, fighting style, of the myth and the history, so it’s a tightly wrapped biography which is accessible to all. The animation conveys a lot of the necessary points whilst simultaneously being dramatic and engaging, except for the rather naff 3-D animated history lesson with obligatory Professor character, the re-enactment animation, which is rendered beautifully in black and white with flashes of colour makes this a DVD worth owning. ALEX
