The Life of Oharu [Saikaku Ichidai Onna] ***** (1952, Kinuyo Tanaka, Tsukie Matsuura, Ichirô Sugai, Toshirô Mifune, Toshiaki Konoe, Eitarô Shindô) – Classic Movie Review 8028

Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi’s 1952 The Life of Oharu [Saikaku Ichidai Onna] is a world cinema classic, with a remarkable performance by Kinuyo Tanaka as Oharu, a 17th-century samurai’s daughter who leads a life of suffering at the hands of various men and ends up a prostitute and beggar.

Mizoguchi’s brutal and elegant portrait of feudal Japan is long (143 minutes), complex and detailed. The Life of Oharu is both beautifully made (it is shot in black and white by Yoshimi Hirano) and wonderfully moving.

The screenplay by Kenji Mizoguchi and Yoshikata Yoda is based on the novel by Saikaku Ihara.

Also in the cast are Tsukie Matsuura, Ichirô Sugai, Toshirô Mifune, Toshiaki Konoe, Eitarô Shindô, Daisuke Katô, Toranosuke Ogawa, Kiyoko Tsuji, Jûkichi Uno, Hisako Yamane, Yuriko Hamada, Ichiro Sugai, Toshiko Yanane, and Ataro Shindo.

The Life of Oharu [Saikaku Ichidai Onna] is directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, runs 143 minutes, is made by Koi Productions and Shintoho Film Distribution Committee, distributed by Toho, is written by Kenji Mizoguchi and Yoshikata Yoda, based on the novel by Saikaku Ihara, is shot in black and white by Yoshimi Hirano, is produced by Isamu Yoshii (executive producer), Kenji Mizoguchi and Hideo Koi, is scored by Ichirô Saitô, and is designed by Hiroshi Mizutani.

It was a nominee for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival 1952 but only won the International Award.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8028

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