Starring Toshiro Mifune as Musashi Miyamoto, this first film in Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy won a 1956 Honorary Oscar. Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior. In the film's bracing climax Miyamoto finally gets a chance to prove himself. Parts II and III of the trilogy weren't released in the United States until 1967.