Dora-Heita
by Kon Ichikawa
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Hideji Ôtaki, Kôji Yakusho, Ryûdô Uzaki, Tsurutarô Kataoka, Yûko AsanoDirector: Kon Ichikawa
Brand: Koch International
Writer: Kon Ichikawa
Producer: Kazuo Tsuruma
Producer: Masaya Nakamura
Writer: Akira Kurosawa
Writer: Keisuke Kinoshita
Writer: Masaki Kobayashi
Writer: Shûgorô Yamamoto
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 111 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-04-10
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Animeigo
Product features:
- Samurai Koheita Mochizuki, who goes by the nickname Dora-Heita, meaning "alley cat" or "playboy," pretends to be an alcoholic magistrate but is in actuality an envoy from the daimyo sent to clean up the corrupt and lawless town. His task is complicated by the unexpected arrival of his mistress Kosei. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: SPORTS/GAMES Rating: NR Age: 7371
Movie Reviews of Dora-Heita
Movie Review: There's A New Magistrate In Town: Not Your Typical Samurai Flick
Summary: 5 Stars
"Dora-Heita" is a film that has a little history behind it. First, it was originally the idea of four cinematic legends: Kon Ichikawa, Masaki Kobayashi, Keisuke Kinoshita, and Akira Kurosawa. That was in 1969. Flash forward 3 decades later and you have the film finally coming into being with the last surviving member of this famed quartet, Kon Ichikawa, bringing this film to fruition. I have heard rumors that the late Toshiro Mifune was initially going to play the role of Dora-Heita, however, this did not happen. However, the viewer is given a wonderfully talented actor in the title role named Koji Yakusho. The man has been one of my favorite actors for some time now. With films such as the delightful comedies "Shall We Dance" "Warm Water Under A Red Bridge" and the superb thriller "Cure" among some of his film credits. And he fits right into the role of the not so debauched new Lord sent to clean up a rowdy town. Plus, his portrayal in this film is done exceptionally well with much humor.
Director Kon Ichikawa did this film out of respect to his now deceased fellow comrades, and we are fortunate enough to have had him behind the lens. The films narrative centers on a regional district in Japan called Horisoto. This is a lawless town, and the Lord of this regional district has named a new Magistrate to see to it that the town is cleaned up. This falls on the shoulders of a samurai named Koheita Mochizuki (Koji Yakusho). Three previous magistrates of the town have disappeared, and it appears nothing can tame this district. That is until Mochizuki comes to town. Mochizuki is given the nickname of Dora-Heita, or 'alley cat' [which means 'playboy'] by the local officials and townsfolk, who believe that he is a debauched character. Yet, this is what Mochizuki wants everyone to think.
However, Mochizuki has actually cultivated this reputation on purpose. He wants people to think that he is a liquor drinking and woman chasing man, in order to find out what is really happening in the town. This in turn is to let down the guard of those who are suspicious of him. His friend Senba (Ryudo Uzaki) is aware of this and lets the rumors fly. His mission is to clean up the town, and he must first rid the town of 3 powerful gangs responsible for the towns chaos. There is much humor in this film, moreover, the film does not take itself too seriously. The film is a tribute in many ways to the old classics such as "Yojimbo" or "Sanjuro." The lawlessness of the town is rampant in every conceivable way: gambling, prostitution, and murder, among others. Can Mochizuki clean up the town? Or will he fail like the previous magistrates?
Although some claim this film does not live up to the samurai genre, they are mistaken. This is not a typical samurai film, as it was never the intention to make this a sword-fighting, blood-splattering film. So for those who like samurai films of this nature, be warned it is not that type of film. But that does not mean it is not a worthy addition to the samurai genre. Mochizuki is skilled in the Martial Art of Jujitsu, but very little of this is shown. Plus, Mochizuki is a very unorthodox samurai, as he does not like to kill his opponents. This is not a violent or action packed samurai film that one typically finds in the films of the samurai genre, but it certainly delivers as a delightful film.
Moreover, it is a fun watch. Especially when things become a little complicated for Mochizuki when his former mistress Kosei (Yuko Asano) arrives in town. Two of the towns bosses may be recognizable to some, one is Nadahachi (Bunta Sugawara) who some will recognize from the film "The Yakuza Papers," while the other one is Saibei (Renji Ishibashi), whose films are too numerous to recount. This is a great little film, and worthy to add to ones Samurai cinema collection. Or even your cinema collection period. It is a very good film, and I found it to be a highly enjoyable treat to watch. And as for Koji Yakusho, his performance was magnificent as alway. And once again, this is a different kind of samurai flick, which is highly enjoyable and humorous as well. For those who like actor Koji Yakusho's film, I would recommend picking it up, as it is well worth the watch. Recommended. [Stars: 4.5]
Summary of Dora-Heita
In 1969, four of Japan?s greatest directors, Akira Kurosawa, Kon Ichikawa, Keisuke Kinoshita and Masaki Kobayashi, formed the "Yonki-no-kai" (Four Musketeers) production company, only to see it close down after its first film was a commercial failure. Now Kon Ichikawa, the last surviving Musketeer, has brought their long-lost samurai classic to the screen as a tribute to his fallen comrades!Koheita (Koji Yakusho) is a samurai with such a reputation for debauchery that his nickname is "Dora-Heita" (Alley Cat), so his appointment as magistrate of the most corrupt township in all of Japan raises a few eyebrows on both sides of the law... But little does everyone know that it's all a carefully constructed front to outwit the criminals and outfight the righteous samurai who think he's too disgraceful to live!
DVD Features:
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen
Subtitled in English
Bonus Material Includes:
Original Theatrical Trailers
Image Gallery
Program Notes
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