Whether you believe that Akira Kurosawa was a genius or not, you can't help but look at his earliest efforts as a rough training ground. Since he was new to directing AND it was during WWII, he was given projects that were clearly more propaganda films than pieces of art. His two film "Judo Saga" was the worst of these (especially episode two),as it was just too full of anti-American and pro-Japanese elements to have any lasting value--it was all pure propaganda. His third film, this one, also was a bit rough and filled with propaganda messages to the Japanese people in the latter portion of the war--but it was wrapped in the guise of a tale that was timeless--and as such, is more watchable today.

The film is about a group of men who are disguised as traveling monks in order to spirit their master out of the territory--as his brother (and important warlord) has pledged to kill him. The story, then, is an allegory about fidelity--a message the Japanese government was trying to re-instill in the people--encouraging them through this film to remain faithful to the cause and be willing to make any sacrifice--just like the men in the movie. Although it's not bad, as I said above, it's also a bit rough and clearly not among the director's better works.

Why, other than the propaganda angle, is it so rough? Well, the characters are all rather wooden. The one character who isn't (the porter) is so obviously over-acting and "goofy" that it really makes the film look bad in spots. He's almost like a clown within a very serious film--and not a welcome addition at all. Plus, it all looks a lot like an old fashioned play brought to life...but with a minimum of energy. The only really positive things about all this are the costumes and sets--which looked very nice and it might surprise the viewer that this was made during the darkest days of the war--you sure can't see evidence of it here.

Overall, a film for Kurosawa fans but a film that is otherwise easy to skip, as it's clearly of secondary or even tertiary quality.

THE MEN WHO TREAD ON THE TIGER'S TAIL is an early Kurosawa effort, made during the tumultuous days of 1945. It's a somewhat rushed and hurried production, shot on a studio backlot and involving a bunch of samurai who are fleeing through a forest in disguise and seeking to evade capture by rivals. Seen today, this is best viewed as a pseudo samurai effort that contains glimpses of some of Kurosawa's greatness to come. Certainly the setting up of shots is assured, and some of the editing, including a quick-fire pan around the group of men, is inspired, even though the story itself is strictly ordinary. Still, at an hour in length this doesn't exactly outstay its welcome.

One can, for the first time, in my opinion, see what Kurosawa could do. He follow a group. of men trying to get through a checkpoint, disguised as priests. Their leader is disguised as a porter and therefore must dishonored to be protected. This is all part of a legend in ancient China and the audiences pretty much knew the story. Kurosawa provides comic relief with the true porter who is an unforgettable character. He is one of those pests that drives one crazy, yet he is so persistent in his efforts to be included. Apparently, historically, things don't bode well for the future but the standoff that occurs as they pretty much risk their lives to get through is quite breathtaking. There are incredible images of the landscape and the use of closeups is vibrant and sharp. The porter's dance at the end is terrific, against a bank of clouds, silhouetted against the sky.