Samurai Rebellion on DVD

A customer from LONDON , 02/09/2005

This film follows the story of a family who are reluctantly forced to accept the disgraced wife of their lord. Their reluctance soon dissolves as it becomes apparent she is a loving wife. Then she is recalled to her former husband, but chooses death instead, bringing ruin on the house of those who love her. A thoughtful and superbly shot film with intelligent and emotional acting. It is in the finest tradition of the Japenese Samurai films, staring TORU MIFUNE.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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itstinks , 22/05/2006

Normally the old ways are shown as where the Clan Lords word was law to his subordinates but this is a revisionist story where an old fighter disagrees with the orders given and strikes a blow for personal freedom and happiness above what may be dictated from the top. Even the women are allowed a bit more say in their life than is normally allowed. That makes it fairly unique but unfortunately it becomes so melodramatic at the end it reminded me of the average Indian movie. Watch it for Mifune (upto the last 20 minutes when even he is over the top) but not essential.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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digger from Wirral , 27/05/2004

Not just another samurai slasher this is a well acted drama of the way individuals are torn between duty and clan loyalty on one hand and friendship and love on the other.

Selfish action by the clan lord puts intolerable pressure on his subordinates which erupts into violence, but the violence solves nothing, it merely results in tragedy for all concerned.

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rpere008 from Bangor , 17/02/2008

Although 'Kwaidan' remains my personal favorite as far as Masaki Kobayashi's filmography goes, the story in 'Samurai Rebellion' is so much more relevant and touching. It has the audacity to bring up questions of individual freedom and happiness in a society where the good of the collective, appearances and 'not losing face' are paramount. And it has something for Western audiences as well, to whom oppression and abuse of power are no strangers. And of course, the cinematography is top-notch. Definitely a must-see, possibly more than once.

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digger from Wirral , 27/05/2004

Not just another samurai slasher this is a well acted drama of the way individuals are torn between duty and clan loyalty on one hand and friendship and love on the other.

Selfish action by the clan lord puts intolerable pressure on his subordinates which erupts into violence, but the violence solves nothing, it merely results in tragedy for all concerned.

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pure evil from hell , 28/04/2005

I invented the genre 'samurai noir' and this fits perfectly into the genre... its moody, slow burning and theres loads of samurais in it... I dont know about you but I find Japanese fuedal society in the 1700's really FASCINATING.... its just really screwed up... For example if in our times for example you offended say, Hackney Council by not paying your council tax , imagine if instead of sending the baliffs round they sent you and your father an order round commanding you to commit suicide ? How nutty would that be ? well thats what it was like in olden days in Japan... the real advantage of those times was that it was ok to solve problems with samurai swords.... and the good guys (and some of the bad ones too) were all WICKED COOL fighters.

Im digressing...

  3 out of 9 people found this review helpful

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