"Kurosawa... his most apt wargame movie?" Topic

sorry for the clumsy title but essentially
"Which of Kurosawa's many movies has,in your opinion, the greatest application to the Wargame's table, and why?"
discuss , with reference to at least one of the cinematic masterpieces of Akira Kurosawa
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hai!!!!

Ran

The Seven Samurai..on all levels..skirmish, role play ..amazing. movie perhaps I can convince my friend Tiger Zouave to make the scenery..

Try this list
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any reason why you chose Ran?

I'd say Ran too. Mainly for the sheer scale of the battles:

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I would choose Ran, for its stunning big battle effects, as well as the behind the scenes intrigue, tragedy and deceit that could be included in a game (besides I love King Lear!). However, Seven Samurai, with its cast of unique characters, is the ultimate Skirmish/Role Play game. Sorry, I can't limit to just one!

Ran.

Ran for big battles.
Seven Samurai for skirmish level games.

Must agree with others who say Ran for big battles and Seven Samurai for skirmish. However, take a look at Kagemusha ( imdb.com/title/tt0080979 ). According to the IMDB, "Much of the film recounts actual historical events, including Shingen's death and the two-year secret, and the climactic Battle of Nagashino in 1575. Those scenes are also modeled closely on detailed accounts of the battle." So while it isn't exactly a documentary on the run-up to and the Battle of Nagashino, it is at least patterned on it. And then one can break out Samurai Battles or your preferred rules set and recreate Nagashino afterwards.

You know, I haven't watched Seven Samurai for a while. Perhaps it is time …

Ran for the battles.

I've recently watched the big 3 epics, Ran, Kagemusha, Throne of Blood. In these movies the fighting is treated rather abstractly. I don't think these three really have much direct applicablity to the wargame table.

As for enjoyability of the story and inspiration I would rank them: Ran, Throne of Blood, Kagemusha. Ran by far above the other two.

Yeah – Ran has big battles.

Kagemusha would be second choice.

Thtrone of blood is superb too.

Kurosawa = never a bad film experience.

Like others I would say "Ran" for big battles or a campaign game, Seven Samurai for skirmish.

Its Kurosawa, just watch them for inspiration.

I have to go with the herd and say Ran for the battles and Seven Samurai for skirmish and role playing.

I simply concur with everyone else

Ran
Kagemusha
Seven Samurai

All three have their advantages for a miniature war game. Not mentioned but again for a great background and wonderful skirmish game do not forget Yojimbo, which is has perhaps been the most copied of Kurosawa's moives. i.e. "A Fist Full of Dollars", and "Last Man Standing".

Rashomon is clearly the most apt wargame movie. After all they run the same scenario time after time, and the rules change each time.

I was very impressed first time I saw Ran … I've not seen anything in a wargame that makes me think wargamers or game designers (and you can add most figure designers too) _get it.

… and I can't see me having the time to do the research and development myself for at least, say, 5 more years, minimum …

So the occasional 'art' film will have to do for me …

I am more than happy for some things not to have to become a wargame (at least, not until they have been thought about and explored at a worthwhile level ..)..

Seven Samurai … I'm a skirmish guy.

Not Kurosawa…Heaven & Earth. Some of the best samurai big battles on film.