Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Interesteg What makes it different from others?

InspireGato Film Perfection

Cissy Évelyne It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

WILLIAM FLANIGAN Viewed on DVD. Restoration = ten (10) stars; subtitles = seven (7) stars. This is a sit-com that fans just would not let die--for more than 25 years! Initially a TV series, the "Tora-san" (Mr. Tiger) character, played by comedian Kiyoshi Atsumi, lived on in four dozen movies (the longest-running theatrical movie series to date!). In this the first of the series, Director Yoji Yamada strikes solid gold by successfully transforming a popular TV show into an even more popular movie. The script is witty (see below), the direction/editing is excellent, and the acting is just about impeccable. Fans of Japanese films will see both new and old talented faces including the fine character actor Chishu Ryu who seems to have been in just about every film made in Japan starting in the 1930's! Cinematography (wide screen, color) and scene lighting are super great, and the film score is marvelous (folks, this is a real film score not a musical mismatched patchwork often heard in contemporary Japanese movies). Exterior scenes all appear to be on location in "Old Town" Tokyo (Shibamata in Katsushika which escaped being bombed during the war), Kyoto, and Nara (the latter complete with real and inflatable deer). Subtitles are especially interesting. The viewer has the choice of subtitle color, dialog, and/or "head notes." The latter appear at the top of the screen to help insure viewers understand the word play in the script and the names of all signs (the DVD creators seem to be fearful that subtle Japanese humor will be lost in dialog translations alone--and they are right). Head notes are especially helpful in explaining mispronunciations intentionally written into the script, acting-tough gangster language, and the common inability of Japanese to read the names of others from their Chinese characters. Line readings are in every-day-conversational dialog with lots of contemporary slang. However, dialog subtitles are not always helpful or needed. Usually they are too long and flash by too fast. Sometimes they are overkill when the viewer is trying to read/comprehend two sets of translations (dialog and head notes) and the spoken word (mercifully, this is mostly confined to the first third of the film). A hilarious, more-than-minor masterpiece! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

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.

I Rule! First "Tora-san" feature sets up format for the rest of the series, with Tora-san returning home to Shibamata after many years estranged from his family. Atsumi is hilarious, Baisho luminous, and Yamada's screenplay and direction is sensitive yet uncomprimising. As Kevin Thomas of the "LA Times" told me for an article I wrote on the series, these pictures are "sentimental, but in the good sense of the word." The real surprise here is the appearance of Takashi Shimura ("Seven Samurai," "Ikiru") as Hiroshi Suwa's estranged father. His scenes and how they relate to Tora-san's own life, is emotionally powerful stuff sprinkled with some very funny moments as well. It's really a shame that NONE of these movies are presently available on home video in the United States.