Synopsis:
‘Aided by a gang that includes two Americans and a Korean, Miyahara attacks an armoured truck transporting money to a US army base. But soon the cronies fall out – with the settling of old scores, jealousy and murder leading all the characters to a tragic end.’
– BFI Read More »
A cowardly samurai is sent as an official executioner targeting the clan’s former sword instructor, a man whose sword and spear skills are second to none. Read More »
Plot:
In a village subsisting on its herring fishery, a one-eyed criminal named Jakoman terrorizes the inhabitants. One of them, the son of the head of one of the fish companies by the name of Tetsu, decides to overthrow Jakoman and his cohorts.
(Remake of a 1949 movie of the same name directed by Senkichi Taniguchi written by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshirô Mifune) Read More »
Quote:
This brilliant motion picture is also based on the writings of Yamamoto Shugoro. It tells the story of Young Lord Takenaka who stands to succeed his father until a series of violent actions lead his retainers to think that he has gone mad with blood-lust. Never offering any explanation, he continues his seemingly unprovoked attacks until he is sent away from his domain. The secondary title “Mondo Muyo” translates roughly as “no need for questions and answers” or in effect “Don’t waste your breath asking why”. There is superb action throughout and regardless of his bloody actions, Takenaka presents a sympathetic persona. The grand finale brings the reasons for his crimes out as a revelation unlike anything ever seen in a samurai film. This is Japanese cinema at its finest. Read More »
Synopsis:
Two Jesuit priests encounter persecution when they travel to Japan in the 17th century to spread Christianity and to locate their mentor. Read More »
Synopsis: “Former samurai Magobei is forced to return to his sword-dueling ways when the gang he once ran with puts an innocent woman in danger. Coming to this woman’s defense, Magobei is tortured and made to pay for abandoning his people in the past.” Read More »
Quote:
This tragic drama shows a young man fettered by Bushido, the way of the Samurai, who tried to escape the chains of his position, but was being forced to die. When the Tokugawa Shogunate ruled the land, Tatsuno castle in Wakisaka Clan’s home of Harima held an established custom, the inspection of the arms warehouse. The Government Inspector Okuno Magodayu found a slight bit of dirt on the point of a spear and mentioned it with disdain. Ezaki Shinpachi heard it and started an argument with him. Magodayu then sent a a letter of challenge to him because he felt insulted by a low-ranking underling without a title. Read More »