Samurai Rebellion (1967)

Samurai Rebellion (Jo-uchi: Hairyo tsuma shimatsu)
Directed by Misaki Kobayashi
Written by Shinobu Hashimoto from a novel by Yasukiho Takiguchi
1967/Japan
Mifune Production Company Ltd/Toho Company
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

Isaburo Sasahara: Each must live his own life.

Kobayashi’s film about the clash between love and duty features one of Toshiro Mifune’s greatest performances.

Isaburo Sasaharo (Mifune) is an aging vassal of a Lord that demands complete and total obedience.  He lives with his nightmare of a wife Suga and grown son Yogoro.  Yogoro is in the market for a bride.  In the meantime, beautiful young Ishi has been forced, very much against her will, to be come a concubine of the middle-aged Lord and bear him an additional heir as insurance against the demise of his eldest son.  When the Lord takes on yet another mistress while Ishi is recovering from childbirth, she lashes out at both Lord and mistress.  Because she is the mother of his child, the Lord does not immediately kill Ishi but orders Yogoro to marry her.

The whole Sasaharo family is against the idea of Yogoro accepting “used goods” from the Lord.  Eventually Yogoro submits.  The couple falls deeply in love.  Shortly after the birth of their daughter Tomi, Ishi is ordered back to the castle as mother of the heir because the eldest son has died.  Isaburo and Yorgoro find themselves at odds with both their extended family, all of whom will be punished for any defiance, and the samurai code.  With Tatsuya Nakadai as an old friend of Isaburo’s.

Kobayashi revisits the themes of Harakiri (1962) in this excellent follow-up.  Mifune is just magnificent, stern and loving in turn.  While the story is a tragedy, it is also a celebration of true honor and courage.  The entire thing is capped off with a battle between Mifune and about 20 attackers followed by a mesmerizing duel between Mifune and Nakadai.  So, even if you are just looking for sword-fighting action, this is a must see.  The masterful cinematography, framing, and powerful score are a bonus.  Highly recommended.