Ibun Sarutobi Sasuke (1965)

Director:

Masahiro Shinoda

Writers:

Yoshiyuki Fukuda (writer)
Koji Nakada (novel)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Plot:

The legendary samurai Sasuke Sarutobi tracks the spy Nojiri, while a mysterious figure named Sakon leads...

Plot Keywords:

Samurai | Bridge | Bible | Duel | Deception

Cast

Jun Hamamura	...	Joshin temple priest
Yasunori Irikawa	...	Yashiro Kobayashi
Shintarô Ishihara	...	Saizo Kirigakure
Takeshi Kusaka	...	Narrator
Seiji Miyaguchi	...	Jinnai-Kazutaka Horikawa
Eiji Okada	...	Tatewaki Koriyama
Eitarô Ozawa	...	Shigeyuki Koremura
Kei Satô	...	Takanosuke Nojiri
Koji Takahashi	...	Sarutobi Sasuke
Tetsurô Tanba	...	Sakon Takatani
Rokko Toura	...	Mitsuaki Inamura
Misako Watanabe	...	Okiwa
Jitsuko Yoshimura	...	Omiyo

Also Known As:

Samurai Spy (USA) (informal English title)

Runtime:

102 min | USA:99 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Shôchiku Eiga

A Classic Piece of Japanese Cinema

I cannot believe that the first review of this movie is considered as "silly". I must say that if one were to watch this movie without bias they would have one of the best cinematic experiences of their life. I saw the new, digitally restored widescreen cut on IFC. The cinematography is gorgeous and the acting matches the script. I was completely enthralled by every frame on the screen. The story is complex, but that is what pulls you in to the story. We see Japan in the year 1614, after the Battle of Sekigahara. The Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans are on the brink of another war, even though the Toyotomi clan was defeated 14 years prior. Koji Takahashi is Sarutobi Sasuke a samurai that works for the Sanada clan, a group of spies who have not announced their allegiance officially, but are generally for Toyotomi. Sasuke is the classic reluctant hero. He cherishes life and wishes not to fight even though he is plunged in a world of treachery and deceit. His friend, Mitsuaki is a double agent and causes Sasuke to fall into the middle of a battle of secrecy between the spy clans of Tokugawa and Toyotomi. There are so many plot twists and interesting characters that you cannot help but become absorbed by this film. I do not want to discredit someone's opinions, but the first review of this film is a bit misguided. I urge the reader of this review to pick up the Criterion DVD of this film and have an experience that you will cherish forever.