Coming to a screen near you…
December 25, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized
..pure, unadulterated, hyakumeizan mountain porn.
Next June sees the public release of “Tsurugi-dake“, what looks to be a stunning recreation of the first modern ascent of the mountain during the Meiji period. Just in time for the rainy season when we are locked out of the hills; these people have clearly done their research on their target audience…
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8 Responses to “Coming to a screen near you…”
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Was the first ascent really mid-winter, or is that artistic license? And I wonder whether you hit upon this information while plotting another epic on Tsurugi yourself?
Hmm, Fukada Kyuya states that they summitted on July 13th, which is far from mid-winter. But still snow on the ground I imagine, and quite an undertaking given the technology of the time. What always amazed me was, when they got to the summit, they found relics from the Heian period up there.
At the back of my mind there is always another Tsurugi epic brewing. But I actually found out about the film at ICI Sports – they had the trailer (and the “making-of”) on loop playing through the store. It looks like it might be very, very good…
they were filming this movie back in July during my failed summit attempt. My friend who actually made it to the summit on that day got to meet the director and actors.
I’m also really looking forward to this movie. It’s based on a popular historical novel by Nitta Jiro (same guy who wrote Death March on Mount Hakkoda). My wife’s read almost all his works, and she says the Tsurugi book (can’t recall the J-title off-hand) is probably his best novel.
I’m looking forward to this – I saw a dramatic “making of” trailer at the cinema in September and it looks great!
I also bumped into a couple of cameramen on Yakushi-dake filming vistas towards Tsurugi (in August by the way). Big lads, and carrying some weight it must be said…
Thanks for the info!
Wes – that must have been quite something, the cast looks very good. I’d love to have seen the actors in their Meiji period climbing gear
George – thanks for the info, I’ll try to get a copy of it tomorrow. I need some new tent-time reading. “Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas” is great, but I need a change…
Tom – I’m looking forward to it too. Of course, Murphy’s Law dictates that the weather will be too perfect this summer to spend an afternoon in the cinema rather than in the mountains. We can hope, anyway.
Can’t wait to see it (despite what looks to be typical bad acting) A friend of mine is actually a stunt double in this movie – hired to hike an area that the star couldn’t (or was too afraid to).
Now that’s interesting. Watching the trailer (and the “making-of”) I was quite impressed that the actors were all up there in period costume. I’ll be on the lookout, though, for any obvious stunt-doubling!