1. Give a brief outline of the plot (action) of the film.
A woodcutter and a priest are sitting beneath the gate into the city of Rashomon as they are hiding from the rain. The two start chatting about the tragic story they witnessed with a commoner. Three days ago, the woodcutter discovered a samurai’s murdered body, and the priest verified that he saw the samurai traveling with his wife earlier that day. The police show up with the notorious bandit, Tajomaru, who has confessed to the murder while the woodcutter, priest, and wife are called to testify in court. Each person was to provide their own subjective account of what happened.
2. What are the main symbols in the film, what do they represent?
– Rain: The first scene, which depicts the priest and woodcutter sheltering from the rain, serves as a visual symbol for the ideals of man’s capacity for goodness and truthfulness.
– The sun: Each storyteller obscures the audience’s perception of particular events and forces, much like the sun obscures the camera’s vision.
– The forest: The forest serves as the location of the samurai’s story. The absence of witnesses and the forest’s isolation from the outside world make it difficult to verify the truth about what happens inside the forest.
– The baby: The woodcutter takes the abandoned baby home to be cared for. This represents that mankind is good as he acted ethically. This is significant because, up until this point in the movie, the woodcutter has only watched and chosen not to become involved. He offers the priest hope that man is good and that the world does not belong to the self-centered by deciding to take the child in the end.
3. What are the main philosophical questions (ideas) being raised by the film? How are these themes still relevant today?
The film never accurately verifies which confession is true which leaves the audience questioning. Rashomon’s lesson, which is still relevant today, is that everyone has their own perspective on life, which can never be objectively true because we can only see things through our own eyes, regardless of who we are or where we’re from.
4. How is the structure of the film important to the telling of this story?
Flashbacks are important to telling this story because it provides a backstory to explain what caused the outcome. Flashbacks allow for more depth by revealing details that help readers understand the character better. It also adds tension.
5. Who’s story did you find most trustworthy and why?
As each story was remarkably different, I believe that all of them had a part to their story that can be trusted. Since each person has their own point of view, you can never truly know who is right or wrong.
6. Consider the final scene when the Priest chooses to hand the baby over to the Woodsman. What is Kurosawa trying to say with this gesture?
Kurosawa claims that this act represents regaining faith in others, and that good still exists.
7. Rashomon is an adaptation of a short story written by Akutagawa, consider what elements are present in the film that enhance or diminish a story like this. Are there aspects to the story that might be better served on the page, why?
One element that stood out to me was the actor’s and actresses’ facial expressions. They were very clear to the audience which allowed an easier understanding of how they were feeling. In addition, I believe the setting, such as the rain or in the woods, allows for the mood to be more mysterious and moody. I believe the story told wouldn’t be said better in writing because we wouldn’t be able to comprehend the flashbacks as easily. Personally, interpreting their emotions would be more difficult to understand with writing.
