Very Good Samurai Film: Deceit, Dishonor & Loyalty! "Shogun's Samurai," is the type of film you would expect from director Kinji Fukasaku. Having made numerous Yakuza films throughout his career, he wove a great film dealing with the same sort of deception and backstabbing that was his trademark with his crime films. The film is highly recommended, and one also gets quite a different look at Sonny Chiba's character. The beginning of the film sets the tone for the entire film. The heart of the recently deceased Shogun has been stolen from his resting body. Why? Did something happen to the Shogun which has cast doubt among others? One of the characters in the film who plays a very good role [and there are many] is Yagyu Tajima (Kinnosuke Nakamura). Who tries to convince the eldest son to assume power. I don't wish to give out too many details of his character, as it will ruin the film for you, but I will write that he plays the role of a conspirator exceptionally well.
The Shogun's recent death has left a vacuum among the Japanese people. There are two sons who are the heir to the Shogunate. With factions backing the eldest son, Prince Iemitsu Tokugawa (Hiroki Matsukata) and other factions backing the younger son, Prince Tadanaga Tokugawa (Teruhiro Saigo) the motions have been set for great intrigue and conspiracy at the highest levels. In fact, there are so many conflicting areas the film comes at you, that you sometimes wonders which side to root for. It appears everybody is being deceived at some point for some reason. As the struggle for a successor builds up tension in the film, the viewer is given a great look at the backstabbing and intrigue that is behind the two sides vying for power, and why sides are taken. Not all is what it appears at times.
"Shogun's Samurai" is an epic tale that will captivate you with both the loyalty and the betrayal of certain characters in the film. There are not many action scenes in the film, although there are a few. However, the films narrative is more about how politics shape the characters in the film, and why their loyalties are to one of the heirs and not the other. And moreover, whether or not their loyalties are genuine--or if they are just temporary due to the chaotic situation all parties now find themselves in. The cinematography of the film is great, the characters are terrific, and the narrative flows wonderfully. This is a highly engaging and recommended film, which I think you will find worth owning. It is at least worth the rent. Recommended.
the yagyu guy is the worst kind of human being what a vicious, heartless, cold-blood murderer, conspirator, puppet master and manipulator in japanese shogun era. this yagyu guy was actually the guy who controlled every thing behind the scene. we've seen lot of this kind worst person in human history. this is a very good japanese political saga, telling a story of a man who would sell his own soul and family to achieve something he was not born to have, but by manipulating and conspiring, he had changed a lot of peoples' fates. we are also seeing a lot of this kind manipulators and conspirators in our present administration.
Add this to your collection Sony Chiba was cool as always.This is a must for any martial art fan(especially of the japanese arts),you wont be disappointed.See above review for plot.Good action,good dialouge,interesting plot.Medieval setting.Just buy it.
Not Bad Story's pretty good. I like the structure of the plot with all the twists and turns, although I wished the fight scenes were more intense and dramatic. Alot of the fight scenes were super short with one hit kills. I expected more especially towards the end. The characters for my taste were a little funky, but the film was made awhile back so I guess I can't expect too much. Overall it's not bad.
NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT ENJOY HIGH DRAMA AND GOOD MOVIES IN GENERAL I think that I had every shogun movie but this.
Now this was certainly not what I expected. They don't just give you a simple story, they explore this story in every possible way. I wish that I could give a better review, but I wouldn't give a good one with how good the story is with this. Also if I reviewed it I would give it away, and that would be a real shame.
So don't expect a sonny chiba cause this movie is certainly an epic that doesn't highlight just one actor like the last samurai did.
The dvd itself has a VERY good picture and good 2-channel audio, but don't really expect any serious bass. The subtitles are good and I can only remember one line where I did't get a translation, but I can guess whta he said so it didn't matter. It also has nice notes inside the dvd case.
So go out and get this and do not wait around like my stupid-ass did.
"Cut down Buddha himself if he stands in your way". Yeah, it's pretty good!
Anything Goes Trivia
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