Pleased to meet you, Sanjuro. I'm guessing that you're a Kurowsawa and Mifune fan. What do you think about the "westernization" of the samurai films?
We deal in lead, friend.
I'm a fan of both. Watching the western remakes right before or after the original Kurosawa versions makes for some great comparisons. Not only did they do well with the story line but also with the character portrayals. I have yet to see the remake of Rashomon, though, called 'The Outrage' with Paul Newman. 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'A Fistfull of Dollars' were excellent films. Kurosawa sued Sergio Leone because his film wasn't authorized, and received royalties from it.
Of course the ultimate westernization of a samurai film was 'Red Sun' with Charles Bronson and Mifune.
One thing that virtually all westerns and samurai films have in common is that the are in some degree morality plays.
Thanks for the warm welcome, folks.