Fuuuji Oda Nobunaga

Title: Fuunji Oda Nobunaga
Year: 1959-Color
Studio: Toei
Director: Kono Toshikazu
Oda Nobunaga: Nakamura Kinnosuke
Nohime: Kagawa Kyoko

















I bought the movie this week for only ten bucks. Did not think much of it since it was made in the late 50s. However, this movie was worth every penny and learned some new things even with some inaccuracies.

The movie starts out with Nobuhide's funeral and Nobunaga was late as usual. Nobunaga enters the temple and throws the incense at the altar. He has tears flowing down on his face. the tears are not of sadness, but anger. It goes on with the Yamaguchi of Narumi switching sides and Nobunaga is going about his usual business. He makes sure his army is up to speed with the matchlock rifle. His attire is that of the "Fool of Owari."

The death of Hirate Masahide is one of the moving moments of the movie. It shows Nobunaga's human side. For once in his lifetime, Nobunaga is does not know what to do. Nobunaga's tears are full of sadness. He rides his horse to the river where he expresses his sadness and anger. He knows now he has to change.


Then it continues with the meeting with Saito Dosan. Nohime is worried that her father will kill Nobunaga. As always, Nobunaga shows no fear and is able to meet with the Viper of Mino at Shoutokuji. Dosan realizes that Nobunaga came prepared with his army. He curses Nobunaga's rags and wants to kill him right away. Nobunaga changes into formal attire and Dosan is shocked. He knows he lost the battle. The two joke around and laugh. The laughter was that of evil, not happiness.

It contines to build up to the climax which is the Battle of Okehazama. Nakamura Kinnosuke sings and dances to Atsumori well. Much better than Ken Watanabe and Ogata Naoto (the worst Atsumori ever). Nohime plays the hand drum gracefully and Nobunaga heads out to war.

The battle scene was OK. Then again the movie was made in 1959. What ticked me of was that Tange and Zenshouji was burnt. Never happened. It did the day of the battle was hot. You can see it Yoshimoto and the Imagawa faces.

The final act shows Nobunaga and Nohime at Kiyosu Castle enjoying the moment while the people of Owari celebrate.

I enjoyed the movie and glad that it is in my Nobunaga library. Nakamura's role as Nobunaga was not bad at all. Better than what I have seen of late. Kagawa Kyoko's role of Nohime was decent. She showed Nohime's qualities as an iron lady, but the ending ticked me off. She weeps while she embraces Nobunaga (WTF). Again, somehow a movie made in late 50s even with some mishaps is better than most of garbage I have seen of late.




Owari no utsuke de owaru ka. Tenka wo toru ka.


Nobunaga no tame! Tenka no tame!