How critical it is to consider the consequences before venting one's rage.
In this slow-moving exposition on loyalty and following principle, we observe how a person who should know better, Protocol Chief Kira, casts shade on fellow lord Asano, prompting the latter -- looking amazingly like a moth in his flowing samurai gowns -- to deliver a head blow with far-reaching repercussions.
The attack, deemed an "unforgivable breach," sets off a cavalcade of harikaris, revealing a suffocating lack of choice when it came to duty and cultural expectations.
This film -- a downer if there ever was one -- says much about samurai culture and philosophy, whose filial values contrast jarringly with those of modern times. Witness one warrior's children, fearful he will disembowel himself, being advised: "In times of crisis... behave as if nothing is wrong."
On the bright side, today, thankfully, we have anger management and cognitive psychology, tools with the potential to prevent such doom as depicted in this World War II epic, reportedly backed by the Japanese government to encourage support for the war.
One does feel guilty for being edified by this film -- I can't quite say I enjoyed it -- judging by unspeakable terrors that were to be perpetrated by the Axis powers.
This film nevertheless has some very good dialogue offering insight into oneself or public figures of our day:
* "Your spirit always burned brighter in the face of adversity."
* "He wept bitter tears." (Might this line have inspired German director Werner Fassbinder's "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant"?)
* "I can't be reborn a man of good sense at my age."
* "The spirit of the samurai is in sad retreat."
* "There must be a better way!"
"People will laugh at him as a reckless simpleton."
* "No matter how you look at it, Juroza heaped dirt on you and your father...You should despite him for the rest of your life!"
"Tell your father that I indeed am his son-in-law!"
* "Please be ready."
* "May your heart be at peace at the end."
* "I will join you shortly."
In this slow-moving exposition on loyalty and following principle, we observe how a person who should know better, Protocol Chief Kira, casts shade on fellow lord Asano, prompting the latter -- looking amazingly like a moth in his flowing samurai gowns -- to deliver a head blow with far-reaching repercussions.
The attack, deemed an "unforgivable breach," sets off a cavalcade of harikaris, revealing a suffocating lack of choice when it came to duty and cultural expectations.
This film -- a downer if there ever was one -- says much about samurai culture and philosophy, whose filial values contrast jarringly with those of modern times. Witness one warrior's children, fearful he will disembowel himself, being advised: "In times of crisis... behave as if nothing is wrong."
On the bright side, today, thankfully, we have anger management and cognitive psychology, tools with the potential to prevent such doom as depicted in this World War II epic, reportedly backed by the Japanese government to encourage support for the war.
One does feel guilty for being edified by this film -- I can't quite say I enjoyed it -- judging by unspeakable terrors that were to be perpetrated by the Axis powers.
This film nevertheless has some very good dialogue offering insight into oneself or public figures of our day:
* "Your spirit always burned brighter in the face of adversity."
* "He wept bitter tears." (Might this line have inspired German director Werner Fassbinder's "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant"?)
* "I can't be reborn a man of good sense at my age."
* "The spirit of the samurai is in sad retreat."
* "There must be a better way!"
"People will laugh at him as a reckless simpleton."
* "No matter how you look at it, Juroza heaped dirt on you and your father...You should despite him for the rest of your life!"
"Tell your father that I indeed am his son-in-law!"
* "Please be ready."
* "May your heart be at peace at the end."
* "I will join you shortly."