This amusing period drama is a concentration of Okamoto Kihachi's essence, coordinating dynamic action and a sense of humor with ingenious cuts that enthrall. Undertaking a plot similar to Korosawa's "Sanjuro", the film sheds light on the heartlessness of the warrior class and is a reflection on society through two contrasting protagonists: a failed, wandering samurai, portrayed by Nakadai Tatsuya, and a reckless youth from the peasant class, portrayed by Takahashi Etsushi. Supporting characters are all distinctively portrayed to evolve a vivid crowd drama.
Production: Toho
Screenplay: Okamoto Kihachi, Murao Akira, based on a novel by Yamamoto Shugoro
Cinematographer: Nishigaki Rokuro
Editor: Kuroiwa Yoshitami
Cast: Nakadai Tatsuya, Takahashi Etsushi, Nakamura Atsuo, Hoshi Yuriko, Kubo Akira, Nakamura Tadao
Format: 35mm, Cinemascope, black and white
Running time: 114 minutes
Language: Japanese
Photo: © 1968 TOHO Co., Ltd.
Text: Morimune Atsuko, catalog TOKYO FILMeX 2006
