Martial Arts Movies
It may seem unusual to include a page about movies on an Aikido website, but Ueshiba O'Sensei himself was a fan of Samurai fiction and had his students read him stories for inspiration. The best of these movies deal with real issues; they are not just about action or fighting. In fact often any fighting is incidental to the story. Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" is largely about the conflicts of personal interests versus service; "Sugata Sanshiro" follows the development of a young judoka from talented but somewhat egoistic, to a better man. The central character in "Twilight Samurai" is torn between personal preferences and responsibilty to family and community. In the Star Wars series the battle between good and evil is played out both on the grand scale, and in the character of Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader. This list of movies is an introduction, far from a complete listing. If you explore some of these movies you may find, along with entertainment, something to think about, and possibly inspiration for your own life and training.
Japanese and Samurai Movies
The Seven Samurai Film clip from The Seven Samurai. The swordsman attacking from the left disputed his defeat in a previous duel with wooden swords and insisted on this contest with live blades.
Trailer for The Seven Samurai Sugata Sanshiro (1965/ 1943) Yojimbo Sanjuro
Musashi Trilogy Twilight Samurai The Last Samurai
Chinese Martial Arts Movies Iron Monkey Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Hero Bruce Lee Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Clip from another Bruce Lee movie.
East Meets West Star Wars series The Karate Kid Fist Full of Dollars The Magnificent Seven Kurosawa himself borrowed material and inspiration from the west. Shakespeare's King Lear became Ran, and Macbeth, Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. Jason Bourne series
Utah County Movie Resources BYU International Cinema Orem, Utah Public Library
See also Aikido video clips
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