I had mentioned earlier that this edited version (100 min. missing) of the film was supposed to be confusing but I followed it easily. Despite it's running length of 266 min. was still quite engaging with the second half a bit slower and there was one obvious gap but I imagined what happened easily.
From what I can tell this film follows closely to Dostoyevsky's novel, with different people and locations but a similar story about a man whose near death escape changes his mind and leaves him innocent and pure. When he returns to his family he comes across very naive (the idiot) but has a purity of heart that a kept woman sees in him. This leads to complications down the road with another man who desires this same woman.
I can see why Kurosawa said: "He (Dostoyevsky) is still my favourite author, and he is the one — I still think — who writes most honestly about human existence."
Based on films like Ikiru and Red Beard, Kurosawa and Dostoyevsky, to me, thought alike.
Not my favorite Kurosawa but a beautiful movie and certainly recommended.
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Topic - Kurosawa's The Idiot, based on Dostoyevsky's novel is very good - PhilJ 10:16:41 10/05/11 (8)
- Absolutely and a strong agreement on the unjustly unfamous, "Red Beard." - tinear 07:53:43 10/06/11 (1)
- Even though Red Beard is predictable the trip to get there is so subtle - PhilJ 17:47:56 10/07/11 (0)
- RE: Kurosawa's The Idiot, based on Dostoyevsky's novel is very good - Rod H. 20:23:24 10/05/11 (5)
- Pauline Kael called it a long, uneven, fascinating film, she prefers a french version - PhilJ 17:54:56 10/07/11 (4)
- RE: Pauline Kael called it a long, uneven, fascinating film, she prefers a french version - Rod H. 10:57:22 10/08/11 (3)
- I second the Russian series. Brilliant acting. nt - tinear 09:55:05 10/09/11 (0)
- nice one Rod! Not sure if I will make it thru 10 hours in front of the computer though :) - PhilJ 11:47:30 10/08/11 (1)
- Subtitles - Rod H. 10:43:33 10/10/11 (0)