Sanshiro Sugata (Judo Saga) is Akira Kurosawa's first feature. The subject is the conflict between Judo and Jujitsu, between the new martial art and the traditional one. “From the very first sequence the director is fully in command in a way that very few directors are - particularly in Japan - and the film as a whole has a directness, economy and a superb athletic beauty.”

Sanshir Sugata (Judo Saga), Part One is repeated on Tuesday, April 5.