This is one of the best films ever made. The film stock was bad, the print is old, the message heavy-handed, and the acting and dialogue extreme. But, it all comes together perfectly, showing Kurosawa's mastery.

Kurosawa was a...
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This is one of the best films ever made. The film stock was bad, the print is old, the message heavy-handed, and the acting and dialogue extreme. But, it all comes together perfectly, showing Kurosawa's mastery.

Kurosawa was a giant--not only of Japanese cinema, but a giant among the filmmakers in the entire world. This work, which is certainly neither as well-known nor as well-received as The Seven Samurai or Rashomon, is probably his magnum opus. From a humanist perspective, it is one of the most important films around, as its central message is something that we all must confront as human beings.

Ikiru is pure genius and I must recommend it. There are many who disagree and say that it is a depressing film or can't get past the bad print quality, but I believe that not one person who claims to like Kurosawa films should leave it unwatched. It is a shame that so many film students haven't watched this film--or haven't even heard of it.