The Influence Of Samurai Films On ‘The Mandalorian’

Star Wars

Apr 17

The Mandalorian is not the first time that Samurai movies have been an inspiration for Star Wars, there are clear threads throughout the saga that link back to classic films from the genre, but what clues could this give us to the rest of season three?

Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai was created by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa and there are a lot of homages in The Mandalorian to his unique style. He loves to create tension between dualists by delaying action with a close-up shot, or focusing on surroundings, rather than going in all guns blazing. This can be seen in the dual with Paz Vilza in The Book of Boba Fett, which introduces season two of The Mandalorian. Bo-Katan also likes to take her time and give the audience time to absorb the fact she is picking up the Darksaber before she uses it to free Din Djarin.

RELATED:

Featured

Why The Pirates Could Be The Villains In 'Skeleton Crew'

Most people will be familiar with the plot line of this film, as it was the basis for The Magnificent Seven, a famous spaghetti western, and another genre The Mandalorian likes to draw from. The plot revolves around bandits attacking a village. The farmers decide to recruit samurai (yes, one of the Samurai does rescue a small child, not green) and there’s the obligatory recruitment sequence which feels a bit like Bo-Katan going and rounding up her squad. Once they arrive at the village, there is distrust between the farmers and the Samurai, but eventually, everyone works together to build defences. The farmers are also trained by the Samurai to become warriors in their own right.

Possible Future Storylines: Chapter 21: The Pirate, The rulers of Nevarro hire Din and Bo-Katan to take care of a Pirate problem. They then go and recruit the rest of the Children of The Watch. This episode has pretty much covered Seven Samurai already, but we could see more conflict with the locals as they settle and train for a larger battle with the Empire. Many of the movie’s characters die, which may be a bad omen for the Children of The Watch.

The Lone Wolf And Cub

This movie has influenced the Mandalorian in a big way. There are so many parallels it’s easier to see where they don’t cross over. A shogun assassin’s wife is killed and at the funeral, he is accused of a crime he did not commit. The only survivor of the blood bath is his one-year-old son. He offers his son a choice, a ball or a sword, e.g. death or fight. The kid chooses the sword, so they go on a revenge quest across feudal Japan. It’s not quite a vest or lightsaber choice, Grogu may have enjoyed a ball though.

Possible Future Storylines: At the end of the film, both enemies destroy each other, but despite all the killing they both still care for baby Daigorō, even after he gets a little murderery. Grogu could likely be the bridge between Din Djarin and any enemies he makes along the way, allowing for some kind of closure or forgiveness.

47 Ronin /The Fall Of Ako Castle/ 13 Assassins

Based on a Japanese folk tale of honor and revenge, one story has inspired three classic films. After an altercation with a tricky and powerful court official, the local daimyo is punished by an act of ritual self-suicide. His samurai are left without a lord and are forbidden from taking revenge. The 47, now ronin instead of samurai spend a year planning and enacting revenge on the official, even though in the end they know it will conclude with their deaths. 46 of the 47 Ronin commit ritual suicide at the end, but one wimps out.

There are so many spectacular versions of this story, from the original 1941 film to one with just 13 assassins which is bloodier, but incredible. The 2013 Keanu Reeves version randomly turns it into a fantasy adventure with witches and dragons and although it’s fun, it’s not in the same class as the others.

Possible Future Storylines: The scattered leaderless Ronin is very similar to the state of the Mandalorians at the beginning of the season, however, they all coalesce around a matter of honor that ultimately leads to their deaths. This could easily be the retaking of Mandalore and might suggest although they achieve it, it has a high price. One of the central characters in 47 Ronin is flawed and does not die with the others, which is seen as a lack of integrity and commitment. Early on in the season, the best candidate for this would have been Bo-Katan, but now that she has seen the Mythosaur and carries the Darksabre, it’s more likely to be Din or the Armorer.

Sword Of The Stranger

An Anime with a lot in common with Star Wars. There’s a prophesized child, a broody misfit Ronin who steps in to defend him, and there’s even an Emperor looking for the secret to immortality. Have you heard the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise? This movie has some great animation, and the action sequences are breathtaking. It’s worth a watch.

Possible Future Storylines: There’s a big act of betrayal from a monk in this movie, and The Mandalorian does have one rather big religious zealot in the form of The Armorer. It’s obvious to all that we’ve got more information to come about Grogu, but this movie reminds us of that.

The Mandalorian gives a nod to movies that George Lucas grew up with and loved, the classic monster movies, the Saturday morning westerns and the Samurai films that hit screens in the 60s and beyond. Star Wars has always been great because it has been able to step over the lines of genre and create something new. However, if you are looking to the East for clues as to what is coming next, it might be wise to keep an eye on The Armorer.

READ NEXT:

Featured