The Shogun's Samurai (1978) Yagy ichizoku no inb

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Starring Sonny Chiba, Toshir Mifune

A historically inaccurate tale using real characters from 17th Century feudal Japan, a tale of twisted politics, deceit, murder, tragedy and honour, all the ingredients for a really good story.

After the suspicious death of the Shogun, his two sons go to war with each other to decide who will succeed to power. Each allies himself with various clans and skilled swordsmen in a war that could tear the very fabric of Japan apart.

Meanwhile the Emperor and his courtiers are plotting and playing both sides in the hope that they will cause the ruination of each other leaving him as the major power. Apart from the major players, there is a lot of deception carrying through to the individual clans; some are used for their strength but also with the hope that they will be severely weakened in the forthcoming struggle for power 

Legendary ronins, (masterless samurai) ninjas and warriors of every type play their part in this tale of assassination, mass murder and political intrigue. The historical inaccuracies include the use of rifles, there may well have been firearms during that period but the guns used looked 19th or even 20th century, a lot of the central characters are based on real people but the story is more or less total fiction.

The acting is a sore point, some of it is off putting in its hamminess, it would be fine for a kabuki performance but is completely out of place within the structure of a film. There are far too many characters appearing and disappearing and despite having all the elements of a good story, its pretty boring and seems far too drawn out.

This may have made a good TV series but it failed to keep my attention as a two-hour plus film.

Only recommended for die-hard Jidaigeki fans.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15

R2 Pal dvd available from Eureka, not their Masters of Cinema series.