Movies At Random: Sansho the Bailiff

Today's random movie is Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff (HU DVD 5910). There are some super interesting essays on Criterion about this film, and I learned on Wikipedia that apparently Terrence Malick wrote a stage play based on the film!

Here's our summary:

Based on a medieval Japanese folktale, this is a story of an aristocratic family broken up by politics and slave traders has been considered Mizoguchi’s masterpiece. In feudal 11th century Japan, two noble children are sold into slavery to the tyrannical bailiff Sansho. Zushio grows up to accept the brutality of society, but his sister Anju adheres to humane principles, sacrificing herself so he can escape and find their mother, who had been sold into prostitution.

And here's a teaser:

Happy viewing!