Have you seen?: Sansho Dayu

The 1950s saw, what has to be considered the golden age of Japanese cinema, with the creation of some of the finest films ever made including Akira Kurasawa’s Seven Samurai, as well as other masterpieces such as Yasujiro Ozo’s Tokyo Story. However, all too often forgotten, are the late works of the incredibly prolific and astonishing filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi. His films of this period, such as Ugetsu and my personal favourite Sansho Dayu, easily rival the work any filmmaker in any time or country.

As with many of his films Mizoguchi based Sansho Dayu upon a story already part of Japanese literature, in this case brilliantly managing to expand it so as to create one of the most powerfully touching and haunting films ever made; it is quite simply unforgettable. Set in Medieval Japan the film opens with the exile of governor Taira for his over-generosity towards the people. Yet before he leaves he imparts his teaching - "that without mercy man is but a beast" - to his son Zushio.

What then unfolds is the story of Zushio’s life as he and the rest of his family are forced into slavery, and he finds himself and his sister Anju under the brutal authority of the titular Sansho the Bailiff. Eventually after many years he escapes and regains his family’s noble position, and attempts to govern in accordance to the teachings of his father.

What makes the film so extraordinary is Zushio’s struggle to live up to these commands and prove himself worthy as a human being. This is caused both by a desire to prove himself worthy of his father, as well as his feelings of guilt created by his inhumanity whilst in the servitude of Sansho. Furthermore, the tale never spirals into the clichés and concepts so prevalent in far too many western films. Love certainly does not conquer all and for any happiness there is a horrific sense of loss and failure.

So that when, after two hours, the film reaches its astonishing climax in a scene which is phenomenally powerful and utterly unforgettable, and in which it must be nearly impossible not to be moved to tears, it also concludes the film perfectly. It finally reaches its understanding of the failures of human endeavour and the destruction it can bring, as well as the redemptive power of love and the personal conflicts that govern its protagonist.

The film is also, of course, superbly made with particular credit going to the truly astonishing cinematography from Mizoguchi’s regular contributor Kazeo Miyagawa. Creating some truly amazing visuals he brings you into the brutally harsh world of the film, but also - most notably in the closing shots - of the redemption and reconciliation. Alongside this the acting is superb throughout from the entire cast, particularly Yoshiaki Hanayagi as Zushio in his attempts to reconcile and understand what he is and the consequences of his actions.

Overall Sansho Dayu is a truly astonishing film that deserves to be far better remembered then its current reputation, since it is utterly compelling and completely impossible to forget. Essential viewing for anyone interested in what, in my opinion, is one of the best periods of filmmaking anywhere in the world.

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