Samurai Vendetta (Hakuôki)
Directed by Kazuo Mori
Written by Kosuke Gomi and Daisuke Ito
1959/Japan
Daiei Studios
First viewing/Amazon Instant
“A truly brave man is ever serene; he is never taken by surprise; nothing ruffles the equanimity of his spirit. In the heat of battle he remains cool; in the midst of catastrophes he keeps level his mind. Earthquakes do not shake him, he laughs at storms.”― Inazo Nitobe, Bushido, The Soul Of Japan
This is notable mostly for its swordplay.
Nakayama Yasube is one of the 47 Loyal Ronin. It is helpful but not essential to be acquainted with that story (see The 47 Ronin (1941)). He is advancing on Lord Kira’s castle with his comrades while reflecting on his life and the film segues into flashback. Samurai Tange Tenzen befriends him when he is engaged in a fight with about 10 opponents to defend his school of swordfighting. Their lives will be entwined ever after. For one thing, they both love the same woman, whom Tange marries. Most of the film deals with Tange’s quest to avenge her honor.
Even knowing the back story, this one is pretty hard to follow. There are a host of characters who all have some sort of agenda or other. Fans of martial arts will not want to miss it though. There is good sword fighting throughout and the final fight in which the one-armed, one-legged dying hero takes on his five enemies in the snow is nothing short of spectacular.
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLlHaFb1tIM (no subtitles)
