- Release year: 1949
- Director: Akira Kurosawa.
- Producer: Sôjirô Motoki.
- Screenplay by: Ryûzô Kikushima and Akira Kurosawa.
- Cinematography by: Asakazu Nakai.
- Music by: Fumio Hayasaka.
Synopsis: somebody steals a detective’s gun and commits crimes with it. The detective, eager to make things right, dedicates his whole time to investigating the case and getting his gun back.
Shotgun Commentary: fascinating police investigation with a charming cast and very impactful moments.
Review
Stray Dog (original title: Nora inu) follows a rookie detective as he tries to get his gun back after being pickpocketed. What begins as a way to restore his pride as an officer of the law soon becomes a race against time to avoid people from getting hurt with his weapon. This is the first suspense film in Japanese cinema and, consequently, also the first police drama. What a way to start a genre, no?
The aftermath of war
The story follows Detective Murakami, played by a youthful Toshirō Mifune, who loses his Colt on a scorching day on the bus at the hands of a seasoned pickpocket. Due to his strict, righteous personality, an attitude explained as a result of his time fighting during the WWII, he takes it upon himself to make things right, refusing to rest until he gets his Colt back.
On the other side of the spectrum, you have the fleeing villain (Ishirô Honda), a man whose experience during the same war has pushed him to the complete opposite path. The lack of aid to veterans and his desire to make the love of his life happy, push him towards a life of crime, his bleak view of life doing him no favours in this matter.
By opposing these two characters, Kurosawa explores the effects of armed conflict in a whole generation while avoiding the war genre altogether. Additionally, this point of view adds dimension to a character despite the actual person barely having any time on screen. Contrary to classic police thriller villains, this criminal is all about substance, his presence or looks are of absolutely no consequence for the story.
A symphony of moments
Similarly to High and Low (1963) the action is based around a police investigation. An adventure that proves how committed the protagonist is to justice, as well as how much he still has to learn about his profession. The combination of drama, comedy and intrigue is a winning combination that leaves no doubt about why the genre became so popular after the release of this feature. The harshness of reality just noticeable enough to make the conclusion all the more satisfying.
The use of the score is almost as precise and effective as that of the cinematography. You can learn a lot more about the last one during a small documentary feature in the extra content of BFI’s newly released Blu-ray. More on that later. Suffice to say, it involved a lot of hard work and ingenuity, but for now, let’s focus on the score. There are two particularly impactful moments in this film, neither of which would be as powerful had it not been for the choice of sound. In case you are yet to watch this film, we’ll keep it vague.
The power of music
The first moment is the build-up to a tragedy. A moment of deception whose gravity is highlighted by the contrast between the silent steps of the criminal and the cheery music coming out of the radio that helps him mask his actions. As for the second moment, the final face off, its intensity radiates from the complete opposite effect.
Hero and villain finally face each other and, in the heat of the moment, someone decides it is the perfect time to practice piano. This antithesis of innocence and guilt makes the moment so ironic, like only life can be. The clash between the simplicity of practising piano and the horrible experiences both characters have been through is enhanced further after the fact, when they both lie in a field with some children singing in the background completely oblivious to the events that transpired merely a few metres away from them.
All in all, Stray Dog is a fantastic way to kickstart a genre in a country. The story is thrilling, the characters deliciously complex, and both imagery and sounds work in perfect tandem. Whether you like crime films or simply well-crafted cinema, this is definitely a must-watch.
BFI is bringing the 4K restoration of Stray Dog released on Blu-ray to the UK on 27 January 2025.
Special features
- Presented in High Definition
- Newly recorded audio commentary by Japanese-Australian filmmaker Kenta McGrath
- A Japanese Tale (2024, 31 mins): Kurosawa scholar Jasper Sharp discusses Stray Dog and its position within the director’s cinematic oeuvre
- Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create – Stray Dog (2002, 32 mins): a Toho documentary short examining Kurosawa’s compelling crime drama in detail
- ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with a new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw, an archival essay by Philip Kemp, Akira Kurosawa writing on the film, notes on the special features and film credits
Product details
RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1528 / PG
Japan / 1949 / black and white / 122 minutes / Japanese language with optional English subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 // BD50: 1080p, 23.98fps, LPCM 2.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)
Where to buy
Order from the BFI Shop.
Advice to take from this movie:
- Obsessing over what you can’t have is the best way to waste your life being miserable.
- Not being able to stop something bad from happening doesn’t make you responsible.
- Keep an eye on your pockets when using public transportation.
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