Rating: 
Summary: Mifune at his Best
Review: After viewing the first two instalments how can one resist the finale in which Musashi confronts his nemesis Kojiro. Though lacking the action and pace of Part Two and the grandeur of Part One this chapter still stands as a masterpiece of Japanese cinema. Costuming, acting, cinematography and score all combine to satisy the viewer forty years later. It is not often that one can say that of movies from the 50's. Truly a mesmerizing trilogy, Mifune at his finest.
Rating:
Summary: Mifune at his Best
Review: After viewing the first two instalments how can one resist the finale in which Musashi confronts his nemesis Kojiro. Though lacking the action and pace of Part Two and the grandeur of Part One this chapter still stands as a masterpiece of Japanese cinema. Costuming, acting, cinematography and score all combine to satisy the viewer forty years later. It is not often that one can say that of movies from the 50's. Truly a mesmerizing trilogy, Mifune at his finest.
Rating:
Summary: SUPURB ENDING
Review: Based on a Historical character, this final installment in the Samurai trilogy is wonderful and a good ending. Finally the hero faces the arrogant young villian and meets him at a duel on the beach as the sun is rapidly setting. Beautiful as it is moving, this film touches on many levels. I may become a Buddhist after viewing this! Buy this DVD if you buy ANY of the trilogy
Rating:
Summary: SUPURB ENDING
Review: Based on a Historical character, this final installment in the Samurai trilogy is wonderful and a good ending. Finally the hero faces the arrogant young villian and meets him at a duel on the beach as the sun is rapidly setting. Beautiful as it is moving, this film touches on many levels. I may become a Buddhist after viewing this! Buy this DVD if you buy ANY of the trilogy
Rating:
Summary: a great film regardless of print quality
Review: i must disagree when people say the print quality is poor. the quality may not be what some people are used to, but if you look at the restoration footage of the seven samurai, you can see that not all films stand the test of time well. the performances are magnificent and this third installment in the trilogy completes the story nicely. toshiro mifune has, for me, always been the definitive samurai. with a lesser emphasis on action and a greater emphasis on mental and emotional development, this film portrays his final arrival on becoming a samurai. it should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Musashi vs. Kojiro
Review: In this final volume of Inagaki Hiroshi's _Samurai_ series the viewer is once again treated to the adventures of one of Japan's most famous masterless samurai: Miyamoto Musashi. Fantastically played by Mifune Toshiro, Musashi comes off as an individual who, although extraordinarily powerful and skillful, also is not without compassion. As can be seen when he buries the bodies of four men slain by Sasaki Kojiro.
In the volume, Musashi's fame has spread considerably across Japan and numerous individuals want to hire Musashi as either a teacher or a bodyguard, however, Unlike Takezo, Musashi's old name, Musashi does not seek or desire fame and fortune. What he desires is making himself the perfect samurai. Which he tries to do not only through cultivating his martial skill, but also through certain arts such as carving buddhist statues and painting, as can be seen in the second movie.
However, Musashi still has one tie to his old world and that is Otsu, the girl his best friends Matahachi was engaged to at the beginning of the story. Musashi does his best to avoid Otsu, but the persistant woman always seems to be able to locate him in the end. In this film, Musashi actually even reciprocates Otsu's love. However, of course, the main confrontation in this movie is the fated duel between Kojiro and Musashi. It is very well done.
This movie caps off the series well. Musashi has come full circle from being a hot headed young warrior with only brute strength to a polished samurai who has not only mastered the art of the sword, but other skills as well. However, what I find even more moving is the respect and compassion Musashi feels for even his enemies. A good series.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor quality print with washed-out color. Too bad!
Review: Its full of pits and scratches. You can see what this film was and should have been in the trailer. Maybe someone will find a good copy to dupe to DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Dual at Daybreak
Review: The dual at dawn, between the two protagonists, is worth watching the entire film for. I must remind myself that these are actors, and not true samurai facing a life and death test of their prowess. I've always been a little disappointed that the movie trilogy never developed the characters as well as the book, but Mifune paints his character with his own colors, and Musashi lives on the screen for us after 400 years. Yoshikawa created the "Gone with the Wind" of Japan in his book, Musashi. The movie trilogy is about as accurate a portrayal of the original, as our own "Gone with the Wind" is to Margaret Mitchell's book, and It's a great work on it's own. The influence of Yoshikawa's book, and this movie (movies) is deep, and world wide, and even today's Poke'mon phenomena is a reflection of this; man, book, movie.
Rating:
Summary: RISE OF THE SWORD-SAINT
Review: This film marks the glorious conclusion to the Samurai Trilogy and the ascent of Musashi Miyamoto to spiritual perfection, Musashi Kensei (The Sword-Saint). TOSHIRO MIFUNE, one of the world's greatest actors, delivers a memorable performance as the master at the peak of his enlightenment. Several years have goneby and Musashi Miyamoto has emerged invincible in over SIXTY duels. Interestingly enough, one sees no pride or ambition in Musashi's manner. He turns down job offers from important lords, including the Shogun's martial arts teacher. In the meantime, Kojiro Sasaki (Koji Tsuruta) regrets the little recognition he has so far received, and seeks to duel Musashi and attain immortal fame. Otsu (the beautiful Kaoru Yachigusa), the quintessence of loyalty, has fervently sought to see Musashi once again, having parted unwillingly in Part II. In like manner, Akemi (charming Mariko Okada) maintains hope of seeing Musashi, having through a tragic turn of events wound up as a courtesan in a geisha house. Yet both women defy their seeming fates and separately seek Musashi, a testament to the power of love. Musashi himself has not forgotten his love for Otsu, expressed in his Kwannon statuettes made in her likeness. In a poignant paradox, Musashi escapes fame and the follies of this world as a farmer, having once been in that position and dreaming of fame.
In the meantime, Kojiro's skill is finally recognized and he comes under the employ of the Shogun. The romance between Musashi and the two women is tragically resolved, and a battle between Musashi and a group of bandits proves very costly. Yet Kensei maintains his poise and graciously accepts Kojiro's challenge to a DUEL AT GANTRYU ISLAND. The perfection of Musashi's technique evident in the fact that he carves an oar into a sword on the trip to the island, using wood against the steel of the deadly Swallow Cut. ONE OF THE MOST MOMENTOUS SCENES IN JAPANESE MOTION PICTURE HISTORY. Hiroshi Inagaki once more deliviers a beautifully directed and cinematographed motion picture. The color is surely the finest in the trilogy, in particular the opening sequence with Kojiro amidst the waterfall and rainbow, and the duel at dawn with its stunning red and gold -Atsushi Yasumoto's photography is brilliant.Ikuma Dan's score is less triumphant and more peaceful and contemplative (though no less dramatic). The pacing is more deliberate, but the strong characters and riveting storyline more than compensate. This duel establishes MUSASHI MIYAMOTO as the Greatest Swordsman in History. After this battle, he no longer uses real swords in combat, only wooden ones. He goes on to write A BOOK OF FIVE RINGS (a must-have), "A guide for men who want to learn strategy," required reading for kendo students and Japanese businessmen to this day. Musashi Miyamoto Kensei represents the ability in all of us to attain perfect understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Musashi's Soul has been Polished
Review: This is the final movie of the Samurai Trilogy. In this movie Mushashi has polished his soul and honed his skill to the point of serenity. This, possibly his most famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro (Ganryu) in which he has given up fighting with steel swords. Although this movie is not as "action-packed" it goes far deeper into the psyche of the Samurai Way. This movie is so compelling because of the complex character development, I really felt involved. I recomend seeing all three of these movies in order at least once for continuity, but all of them stand alone well including this one!
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