365 Movies Day #83 "Samurai Rebellion"

Rarely do I watch a film on a whim and consider it a 5 star movie. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring the legendary Toshiro Mifune, "Samurai Rebellion" is the story of a samurai family struggling between a code of honor and a horrible injustice from their lord. Do they suffer the injustice quietly as demanded or risk everything and take a stand?

Amazingly, this is a samurai movie with no sword fight until 3/4 of the way through the film. By that time, it is the most righteous dispensation of vengeance captured on screen. Mifune plays the head of the samurai family and another notable performance comes from his best friend in the film, Tatewaki, played by Tatsuya Nakadai. Tatewaki is a fellow samurai and the only rival for Mifune's Isaburo at swordplay. He embodies the samurai way and displays love for his friend and honor in the most amazing of ways.

This is truly a wonderful film and a must see for EVERYONE! Heart-wrenching, informative, moving and solidly written, directed, acted and the cinematography by Kazuo Yamada is breathtaking. I would put him head to head with anyone in the business today.

SAMURAI REBELLION ON IMDB