The Twilight Samurai (2002)

As the feudal Japan era draws to a close, a widower samurai experiences difficulty balancing clan loyalties, 2 young daughters, an aged mother, and the sudden reappearance of his childhood sweetheart.

Director:

Yôji Yamada

Writers:

Shûhei Fujisawa (novels), Yôji Yamada (screenplay)

Stars:

Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa, Nenji Kobayashi

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 38 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hiroyuki Sanada	...	Seibei Iguchi
Rie Miyazawa	...	Tomoe Iinuma
Nenji Kobayashi	...	Choubei Kusaka
Ren Ôsugi	...	Toyotaro Koda
Mitsuru Fukikoshi	...	Michinojo Iinuma
Kanako Fukaura	...	Yae Iinuma
Hiroshi Kanbe	...	Naota
Miki Ito	...	Kayano Iguchi
Erina Hashiguchi	...	Ito Iguchi
Reiko Kusamura	...	Kinu Iguchi
Setsuko Tanaka
Kii Mizuno	...	Tane
Yuuki Natsusaka	...	Gemba Hattori
Astushi Maeda
Tsukasa Sugawara

Storyline

Seibei Iguchi, a low-ranking samurai, leads a life without glory as a bureaucrat in the mid-XIX century Japan. A widower, he has charge of two daughters (whom he adores) and a senile mother; he must therefore work in the fields and accept piecework to make ends meet. New prospects seem to open up when Tomoe, his long-time love, divorces a brutal husband. However, even as the Japanese feudal system is unraveling, Seibei remains bound by the code of honour of the samurai and by his own sense of social precedences. The consequences are cruel.

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Plot Keywords:

japan | jidai geki | samurai | katana sword | 19th century | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Official submission of Japan for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 76th Academy Awards in 2004.

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Goofs

Pieces of papers with text glued on kitchen door changing pattern during film. For whole time in multiple shots there is missing piece of paper in bottom right corner except only once in middle of movie, when Tomoe surprised returned Seibei in his own home.

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Quotes

Kayano Iguchi: Father, If I learn to do needlework someday I can make kimonos. But what good will book learning ever do me?
Seibei Iguchi: Well, it probably won't ever be as useful as needlework. But you know, book learning gives you the power to think. However the world might change, if you have the power to think you'll always survive somehow. That's true for boys and for girls. All right?
Kayano Iguchi: Yes.

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Connections

Followed by The Hidden Blade (2004)

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Soundtracks

Kimerareta Rhythm
Performed by Yosui Inoue

User Reviews

Gently Powerful

The settings and photography in this film are not "grand" but give the impression of realism and the grittiness of life in feudal times. The storytelling devices and attention to detail are core to the feeling I took away from this film, which was one of dipping into a tiny slice of time but seeing a myriad of ageless issues (honour, duty, grief, non-ambition, family priorities). However, what really impressed me was the way the main part (played by Hiroyuki Sanada) grew through the film. At the beginning of the film he seemed physically smaller, his whole demeanour and features were weak and insignificant. Having never seen him act before, I felt I was going to struggle to relate to this man as a lead role. It was incredible to see him (partly through acting and partly through subtle directing) grow into the figure we see at the end; he's taller with wide shoulders and strong features, yet remains a gentle and humble man. This is a very touching film and one which I could definitely watch over and over.

Details

Official Sites:

Empire Pictures [United States] official site with message board [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

2 November 2002 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Twilight Samurai

Filming Locations:

Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,573, 25 April 2004

Gross USA:

$559,765

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,372,769

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eisei Gekijo, Hakuhodo, Nippon Shuppan Hanbai (Nippan) K.K.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1