ebiros2 Where character of Tora-san came out is an interesting topic. The huge success of this series of course owes a lot to the great talent of actor Kiyoshi Atsumi, and director and screen writer Yoji Yamada, but something about this story must hit close to home in the minds of Japanese audience.Tora-san is as imperfect as a human can get. Yet, he has no ill intentions to anyone he meets which makes him endearing to the audience. Also the culture of down town Tokyo is very special. Although people may not be rich or refined in modern ways, they genuinely care and look after each other, while holding to their tradition.Perfection is obvious in the story and cinematography presented by director Yoji Yamada. In some ways he shot some of the most beautiful scenes of his career in this series.This movie was conceived due to two events which precedes its creation. First was another movie starring Kiyoshi Atsumi called Haikei tenno heika sama (Dear His Majesty) which he made stellar performance in, and idea of using Atsumi in a similar role was conceived. The other was the TV drama version of this story where in the end Tora dies from a poison snake bite. The ending of this series was hugely unpopular with the audience, and this movie series was born with non-tragic ending for Tora-san in each episode. Initially the series was to conclude after five episodes, but due to its popularity, it continued for 48 episodes (Yoji Yamada's plan was to shoot 50 episodes, but it ended by Atsumi's untimely death).By watching this series, you will understand the underpinning of Japanese culture better than any class in sociology can give. The brisk exchange between the characters, quick tempered brawls, who cares attitude, self pity, abandonment, sense of obligation which are all unique to the Japanese society. Although Japan now wears a facade of modernization, in its roots is the feeling like those of the people in this movie. It embodies the modern representation of what the Japanese call "Naniwa Bushi".The movie is all star cast including Takashi Shimura, Chishu Ryu, future stars of J-drama like Daisaku Akino, and Gin Maeda. Stellar performance by Cheko Baisho as Sakura, and Sachiko Mitsumoto adds to the story.The seminal episode of Tora-san movie is a delight to watch both from the story, and its beauty.

MartinHafer Unlike many out there (especially the Japanese who apparently LOVE Tora-san), this is the one and only film from this very long series that I have seen In fact, while I am a huge fan of Japanese cinema, I haven't gotten around to seeing any of the films simply because they have not been readily available in the States. Because of my very limited exposure to the films, I may not be the best person to comment on this film--but I'll try.The movie begins with a prologue where you learn that Tora-san ran away from home when he was young and not been seen by his family since. In the interim, his parents have died and the only family member who still remains other than him is his younger sister--who is in her mid-20s and has little recollection of him. When he unexpectedly returns to town, it seems rather triumphant--with him making a good impression on everyone and begin welcomed back with open arms. Unfortunately, his welcome is relatively short-lived, as Tora-san turns out to be a boorish idiot who has a habit of making a mess of things--yet by the end of this movie, everything has STILL managed to work out and all is forgiven. What Curious Tora-san manages to screw up repeatedly in this installment is his sister's prospects of marriage. If you think about it, this is the exact same plot in the children's book "Curious George"! The only thing missing at the end is every one exclaiming 'good little monkey!".Overall, this is a pleasant little slice of life comedy. While the humor is never laugh-out-loud funny, it is cute and watchable--like an Andy Hardy film. However, some might be put off a bit by the film's overly sentimental and maudlin moments as it tries to build some sympathy for Tora-san--though, frankly, this seemed a bit out of place. For the most part, he was an idiot AND an obnoxious one---yet most seemed to forgive him all too quickly. Actually, I loved the character of his uncle--the only one who kept steadfastly insisting the man was an idiot! Also, while there was too much pathos, some was actually pretty good--such as the subplot involving the groom and his estranged parents. It didn't necessarily fit into the spirit of the rest of the movie, but this scene with his father and the groom at the wedding reception was touching and well done.The best thing I can say about this movie is that after it was over, I reserved the next three films in the long series--the only other films that are currently on Netflix or available from Amazon from the Toro-san films. Perhaps if they are successful here in the US, more will become available. I should also should point out that the DVD from Animeigo had excellent captioning and nice special features--plus the print was in top condition.

crossbow0106 This first film in what is purported to be the longest run series in film history tells the tale of Tora-San, an itinerant peddler who is thrown out of his father's house twenty years before but reconnects with his aunt, uncle and sister Sakura (the very pretty and sweet Chieko Baisho). Tora wreaks some havoc in their lives, like getting drunk and silly at a marriage meeting and ruining Sakura's chance to marry someone, as well as just being a real pain to those around him. There is a sentimental side to him also, and the best way to describe him is that he grows on you. This film features smallish roles by two of the greatest actors in film history, Chishu Ryu as a priest and Takashi Shimura, as Sakura's prospective father in law. They light up the screen when they're in the film. Kind of a film about a bygone era in Japan, as itinerant peddlers are all but gone, this film reminds me somewhat of the two "Always Sunset On Third Street" films, as they are also about a bygone era. Crazy, funny & sentimental, this film delivers. I have not seen any of the rest (so far, anyway) of the films in this series, but I am intrigued. Atsumi Kiyoshi, who plays Tora, is good in this. I recommend it, its a very good film.

ButaNiShinju It seems amazing to many people that this series of movies went on to number 48 over 25 years. But each film is strangely compelling and quite different, even though the basic format is the same.Tora-san is a deeply flawed but intensely 'real' individual: lazy, vain, semi-literate, petulant, mendacious, funny, child-like, generous, sentimental. A real pain for everyone around him (most of all his long-suffering family), but nevertheless likable for all that. He is no one-dimensional character -- Atsumi's acting is breathtakingly larger than life. A lot of the credit must be due to the directorial skills of Yamada, who coaxes fine natural performances from all his actors.There are a lot of underlying themes in the Tora-san films. Class certainly is one. Shibamata, Tora-san's hometown, is lower working class. Tora-san himself is 'yakuza-poi' -- not one of the notorious gangsters one thinks of as 'yakuza', but a small-time drifter and seller of cheap books and trashy objects -- he tries his hand at various other jobs (like farming in Hokkaido), but always fails and returns to his itinerant way of life. His speech patterns and pugnacious character (not to mention his dress) signify his status immediately to any Japanese. Much of the comic tension in these films derives from the discomfort Tora's earthy presence provokes when among those of finer social pretensions.The other more overt theme is Tora's endless disappointment in love. Although women find him a charming comedian, none can conceive of him as a serious love interest. Tora's fascination with women is curiously asexual -- there is never any leering or lustful aspect to it. Rather, he develops a sudden dog-like attachment to pretty young women he encounters by chance, his family---and the audience---knowing it is doomed from the start.It is indeed a shame more of these films are not available in English, but on the other hand, a good translation of the very idiomatic Japanese would be difficult to achieve.*UPDATE*: As of August 2008, Shochiku has released a new edition of the Tora-san films on DVD, WITH English SUBTITLES!