Rashomon (1950)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

Detailed Summary

Introduction and Setting

Rashomon is a 1950 Japanese period drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa, based on Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s short stories “Rashomon” and “In a Grove.” The film stars Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyō, Masayuki Mori, and Takashi Shimura. Set in 12th-century Japan, the film explores the nature of truth and human perception through the differing accounts of a violent incident.

The Story Unfolds

The Incident

The film is framed by a conversation between three men taking shelter from a rainstorm under the Rashomon gate: a woodcutter (Takashi Shimura), a priest (Minoru Chiaki), and a commoner (Kichijiro Ueda). They discuss a disturbing incident involving a samurai (Masayuki Mori), his wife (Machiko Kyō), and a bandit named Tajōmaru (Toshiro Mifune).

Multiple Perspectives

The core of the film consists of four conflicting accounts of the incident, each given by a different character:

Tajōmaru’s Account: The bandit claims he tricked the samurai and tied him up, then seduced the samurai’s wife. He claims she willingly submitted to him and then urged him to fight her husband to the death. He says he killed the samurai in a fair duel.
The Wife’s Account: The wife claims that after being raped by Tajōmaru, she begged her husband for forgiveness, but he responded with a cold, hateful stare. In her distress, she fainted and, upon waking, found herself holding a dagger with which she accidentally killed her husband.
The Samurai’s Account (via a Medium): Through a medium, the samurai’s spirit claims that after the rape, his wife urged Tajōmaru to kill him. Feeling dishonored, Tajōmaru offered to kill the wife instead. The wife fled, and Tajōmaru eventually left, freeing the samurai. The samurai, feeling utterly betrayed, committed suicide with his wife’s dagger.
The Woodcutter’s Account: The woodcutter, who initially claimed to have only found the body, reveals that he witnessed the entire event. According to him, after the rape, the wife shamed both men into fighting for her, but the duel was clumsy and neither man was particularly brave. The bandit eventually killed the samurai, and the wife ran away.

The Climax and Resolution

The Unreliable Narrators

The climax of the film is the revelation that each account is influenced by the narrator’s self-interest and perspective, casting doubt on the nature of truth and memory. Each character’s version of the story reveals their deepest fears, desires, and motivations, suggesting that objective truth is elusive.

The Conclusion

The Act of Compassion

In the end, the woodcutter discovers an abandoned baby at the Rashomon gate. Initially, the commoner tries to steal the baby’s clothes, but the woodcutter stops him and decides to take the child home, revealing that he already has six children. The priest, moved by this act of compassion, regains his faith in humanity.

Movie Ending

Rashomon concludes with the woodcutter’s act of kindness, providing a glimmer of hope and reaffirming the possibility of human goodness despite the film’s exploration of deceit and moral ambiguity.

Post-Credits Scene

There are no post-credits scenes in Rashomon.

Type of Movie

Rashomon is a period drama and psychological thriller that explores themes of truth, memory, and the subjective nature of human experience.

Cast

Toshiro Mifune as Tajōmaru
Machiko Kyō as the Samurai’s Wife
Masayuki Mori as the Samurai
Takashi Shimura as the Woodcutter
Minoru Chiaki as the Priest
Kichijiro Ueda as the Commoner

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Fumio Hayasaka, whose music enhances the film’s dramatic and emotional depth.

Filming Locations

Rashomon was filmed in various locations in Japan, primarily around the Kyoto area, including:

Daigo-ji Temple: For the Rashomon gate scenes.
Forests near Nara: For the woodland scenes.

Awards and Nominations

Rashomon received numerous prestigious awards, including:

Academy Awards: Won an Honorary Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Venice Film Festival: Won the Golden Lion.
Blue Ribbon Awards: Won Best Director (Akira Kurosawa) and Best Cinematography.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Kurosawa’s innovative use of flashbacks and differing perspectives had a profound influence on film narrative techniques.
The film’s exploration of the unreliability of human perception was groundbreaking and remains a topic of analysis and discussion.
Toshiro Mifune’s dynamic performance as Tajōmaru is widely regarded as one of his best.

Inspirations and References

Rashomon is based on Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s short stories “Rashomon” and “In a Grove.” The film’s narrative structure and themes are heavily influenced by these literary works, particularly their exploration of subjective truth and human nature.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The final cut of Rashomon closely follows Kurosawa’s vision. Some deleted scenes and additional content are available in special editions and DVD releases, providing further context and character development.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the film is based on Akutagawa’s short stories, it expands on the themes and characters to create a more comprehensive narrative. The film adds the framing device of the Rashomon gate and the discussion between the woodcutter, priest, and commoner.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The initial discovery of the samurai’s body by the woodcutter.
The four differing accounts of the incident.
The final confrontation between the woodcutter, the commoner, and the priest at the Rashomon gate.
The woodcutter’s decision to take in the abandoned baby.

Iconic Quotes

“It’s human to lie. Most of the time we can’t even be honest with ourselves.” – Commoner
“In the end, you cannot understand the things men do.” – Priest

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Kurosawa’s use of natural light and innovative cinematography techniques, such as shooting directly into the sun, create a unique visual style.
The use of weather, particularly rain, enhances the film’s mood and atmosphere, symbolizing the characters’ turmoil and the obscured nature of truth.

Trivia

The film’s budget was approximately $250,000, and it grossed significantly more, becoming an international success.
Rashomon was one of the first Japanese films to gain widespread recognition in the West, significantly impacting global perceptions of Japanese cinema.
The term “Rashomon effect” has entered the lexicon, referring to the phenomenon of contradictory interpretations by different individuals.

Why Watch?

Rashomon offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of truth, perception, and human nature, featuring strong performances, particularly by Toshiro Mifune and Machiko Kyō, and masterful direction by Akira Kurosawa. Its innovative narrative structure and thematic depth make it a must-watch for fans of classic cinema and psychological drama.

Director’s Other Movies

Akira Kurosawa also directed: