DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - New to Kendo, Has Kendo been over romanticized by Hollywood? What is it really like?

**ultimda horaf** · 09-09-2010, 11:53 AM

But, really I want to know, those who practice the art, is it like how Hollywood portrays it, or has it been over romanticized?

I'm not sure if 'romanticized' is the right word. There's a running joke that asks "Why are there so many bad films?", with the answer being "Because there are so many good Networkers who want to Direct."

Unfortunately, action films for many budding 'auteurs`begin with ``Hey dude, let`s get a bunch of guys, put them into ninja suits, make them crash in through windows, and wave their swords (which in many cases end up being Chinese straight swords ...`you know....the one with those cool red tassles`), while doing jumps and flips and $%!!!!`` Same philosophy, but with a budget enough be able to hire actors/XMA guys, and you end up with Mortal Combat.

That being said, there is Hollywood...and then, there is Ridley Scott (Bladerunner, Black Hawk Down, Any Given Sunday, Troy, Kingdom Of Heaven), and if he ever does decide to direct a Samurai Epic or anything Kendo related, I`m willing to bet it is going to be good. The man really does his research to capture a sense of authenticity whether it be firefights or swordfights.

Outside of Hollywood, the best depictions of sword duels Ive seen are from the Japanese films;
1) When The Last Sword is Drawn
2) Love and Honor
3) The Hidden Blade
4) Twilight Samurai (who actually stars the village sword master in The Last Samurai)

...where they are definitely not `romanticized.

09-09-2010, 11:53 AM	#19
ultimda horaf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 461 Senior Member	But, really I want to know, those who practice the art, is it like how Hollywood portrays it, or has it been over romanticized? I'm not sure if 'romanticized' is the right word. There's a running joke that asks "Why are there so many bad films?", with the answer being "Because there are so many good Networkers who want to Direct." Unfortunately, action films for many budding 'auteurs`begin with ``Hey dude, let`s get a bunch of guys, put them into ninja suits, make them crash in through windows, and wave their swords (which in many cases end up being Chinese straight swords ...`you know....the one with those cool red tassles`), while doing jumps and flips and $%!!!!`` Same philosophy, but with a budget enough be able to hire actors/XMA guys, and you end up with Mortal Combat. That being said, there is Hollywood...and then, there is Ridley Scott (Bladerunner, Black Hawk Down, Any Given Sunday, Troy, Kingdom Of Heaven), and if he ever does decide to direct a Samurai Epic or anything Kendo related, I`m willing to bet it is going to be good. The man really does his research to capture a sense of authenticity whether it be firefights or swordfights. Outside of Hollywood, the best depictions of sword duels Ive seen are from the Japanese films; 1) When The Last Sword is Drawn 2) Love and Honor 3) The Hidden Blade 4) Twilight Samurai (who actually stars the village sword master in The Last Samurai) ...where they are definitely not `romanticized.
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