Samurai Movies

Chambara!

Recommended movies for samurai role-playing gamers.

Aside from being action films, in general, samurai film plots are political in nature to some degree, often involving the corrupt injustice of the military dictatorship.

Modern Japanese names are in Western order.

Samurai Spy

Japanese title: Ibun Sarutobi Sasuke

1965 b&w, 100 minutes

Director: Masahiro Shinoda

Starring: Koji Takahashi

Music: Toru Takemitsu

• Historical background: Time between the Battle of Sekigahara (1600) and the Winter Siege of Osaka (1614)
• Plot: Intrigue and conflict between ninja spies of the rival Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans.
• Settings: Countryside, country inn, country temple.
• Highlights: Matsuri dancing and festivities. Ninja infiltration and attack on a provincial samurai estate.

Source

• Wikipedia - "Samurai Spy" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai_Spy)
• AllMovie - "Sarutobi" (http://www.allmovie.com/work/sarutobi-179885)

The Samurai I Loved

Japanese title: Semishigeru

2005 color, 131 minutes

Director: Mitsuo Kurotsuchi

Starring: Somegoro Ichikawa

• Historical background: Edo jidai.
• Plot: Love story between a low-level retainer and a daimyo concubine who were childhood friends.
• Setting: Ficitional prosperous coastal agricultural province.
• Highlights: Matsuri dancing and festivities. Ceremonial duel of sword fighting skill. Attack on a samurai estate.

Source

• AllMovie - "The Samurai I Loved" (http://www.allmovie.com/work/the-samurai-i-loved-358727)

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Last modified: February 28, 2010