Plot: Yanagida used to be a respected samurai, but because of a wrongful accusation, he was forced to leave. Together with his daughter, he set off and continued his life in poverty, while never betraying his samurai roots. Much later, the truth behind the initial dispute is revealed, and Yanagida starts planning his revenge.
Watches
May 02, 2025
One of the finest samurai films I've seen in a long time, so stylish in fact that I felt a bit for not being all that invested in the story. I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, and unless the film goes out of its way to add a unique twist, I struggle to see them as personal favorites. If you do love samurai epics though, make sure not to skip this one.
Kazuya Shiraishi is a very capable director, no matter what genre. The presentation is stylish, the pacing is deliberately slow, and there are some incredibly moody scenes scattered throughout. The plot was a bit pedestrian, and the setting just didn't do it for me. But other than that, a lovely film.