New Tales Of The Taira Clan Film Review: Cinephilia

An impressively-made historical epic set in the 12th century that tells of the battle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for political ascendancy through the story of Kiyomori, member of the Taira family and illegitimate son of the former Emperor (thus providing a kind of metaphor for post-war Japan). The film bears resemblance to Hollywood films of the same period both the large scale "sword-and-sandal" historical recreations and "women's" pictures such as those made by Douglas Sirk. The impressive colour photography (shot in "Daiei Colour", presumably specially-developed film stock) is by Kazuo Miyagawa. Unlike the more sparsely stylized samurai films of Kurosawa, Mizoguchi pays much attention to historical authenticity, much of which will probably be lost on the Western viewer, but with careful production design that will be a treat for those who appreciate traditional Japanese aesthetics. BH

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