'The Challenge' on youtube

[Pete Klein]

 

For anyone who has wanted to see this old film -- for as long as it's available. Not the best copy but not bad either.

Why this has never been released on DVD is a mystery to me.

[ROKUJURO]

......Why this has never been released on DVD is a mystery to me.

Perhaps because it's a really bad film, even if you consider the times it was made.

[Pete Klein]

It's always had a cult following. My opinion is if you don't like it, don't watch it.

[ROKUJURO]

Pete:.....It's always had a cult following. My opinion is if you don't like it, don't watch it.......

 

In my opinion, a cult is not necessarily a quality badge. And of course you will have to see it at least once (which I did half a year ago on YouTube) if you want to come to a personal evaluation.

 

But I understand your sight: Some 30 or more years ago I might have seen the quality differently. At that time, I did not want to miss one of the David Carradine KUNG FU films!

[Pete Klein]

Better be carefull -- we don't want to start any riots anywhere...

[Baka Gaijin]

Afternoon all,

 

Just a quick respectful nod to the memory of John Frankenheimer who directed the Challenge.

 

He was in my opinion a master of the action genre and responsible for some of the truly memorable films of the 20th century, including "Birdman of Alcatraz", "Manchurian Candidate", "The Train", "French Connection 2" and laterly my personal favourite for ripping up the tarmac in Paris (Sorry for adding to your utilities bill Jean ) "Ronin".

 

Please share this brief moment of John Frankenheimer at his best.....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTT4Kw-wohA

 

(OK I know "Them" were once based near He-Re-Ford, not Here-Ford, but you gonna mess with mr De Niro?

Now, if anyone here on NMB knows what the Boathouse colour is, you are obviously "nails" and will most likely be found sporting a pair of Oakleys and a cravat in the Bath..........)

 

Cheers

[Pete Klein]

I found it interesting that Seiji Miyaguchi who played Kyuzo, the master swordsman in, 'Seven Samurai' was Mifune's second in command in this film. He is the old man who sits behind Mifune when he is at his son's shrine.

[ROKUJURO]

.....Just a quick respectful nod to the memory of John Frankenheimer......He was in my opinion a master of the action genre.....

I agree with you.

 

Maybe I have a general problem with films about Japanese subjects made by westerners as in many cases they are not respecting Japanese culture, behaviour, or historical backgrounds. As an explanation, these old films could be seen as products of their times, but in today's view I often find them made quite incompetently and superficially.

[Baka Gaijin]

Some very good points Jean C,

 

I believe these films have to be seen in a cultural / time frame context.

 

If you can get a DVD copy of Sydney Pollack's "The Yakuza" of 1974, and go to his comments in the "Special Features" section relating to his problems of filming in Japan.

 

Also Ridley Scott had enormous problems filming in Japan on "Black Rain".

 

But then if we look at Kurosawa's films, they were not well received in Japan originally.

 

Here is part one of an eight part tribute, from one Artist, respectfully, to a Mentor:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Oe3DtVa0w

 

It is simply beyond description.....

 

(To turn on the English captions go to the "subtitles" button second next to the red speech box on the lower horizontal bar)

 

Cheers

[Geraint]

Now, if anyone here on NMB knows what the Boathouse colour is, you are obviously "nails" and will most likely be found sporting a pair of Oakleys and a cravat in the Bath..........)

There is no boat house at Hereford. Not nails, ain't got no Oakleys, not one for wearing cravats in the bath, just got Google and a suspicious mind!