The Hidden Blade (2004)

A 19th Century samurai, held in low esteem due to an action by his late father, must resolve his history with a maid and with his close friend.

Director:

Yôji Yamada

Writers:

Yôji Yamada (screenplay), Yoshitaka Asama (screenplay)

Stars:

Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, Hidetaka Yoshioka

3 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Masatoshi Nagase	...	Munezô Katagiri
Takako Matsu	...	Kie
Hidetaka Yoshioka	...	Samon Shimada
Yukiyoshi Ozawa	...	Yaichirô Hazama
Tomoko Tabata	...	Shino Katagiri
Chieko Baishô	...	Mrs. Katagiri
Kunie Tanaka	...	Kanbê Katagiri
Toshiki Ayata
Hiroshi Kanbe
Sachiko Mitsumoto	...	Mrs. Iseya
Reiko Takashima	...	Hazama's Wife
Satoko Yamamura
Nana Saito	...	Bun (as Nana Saitô)
Kazuhiko Kasai
Ryôta Satô

Storyline

During the time of change of the mid-19th Century, Yaichiro is bid farewell by his fellow samurai friends Munezo and Samon as he leaves their clan's fiefdom on the northwest coast of Japan (Unasaka) to take an important position within the shogunate in far away Edo. Munezo has lived modestly with his mother and sister Shino after his father was forced into suicide after the failure of a bridge project. Kie, a farm girl serves them as a maid in their house. As time passes, Munezo's sister marries Samon, his mother dies, Kie is married into a merchant family, and he is required to learn western methods of warfare such as the use of artillery and firearms from an official sent from Edo. Learning that Kie is ill due to abuse, he rescues her from her husband's family. Although sharing mutual affection and respect, a marriage between Munezo and Kie is still impossible due to different castes, and when he, now a bachelor, is criticized for her serving in his house, Munezo sends her back to ...

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Plot Keywords:

1860s | suicide | japan | hostage | clan | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent material

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is the second installment to director Yôji Yamada Samurai trilogy. 'The Twilight Samurai' being the first, 'Love and honor' being the third.

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Goofs

When Hazama is shot by a rifleman, it blows his arm off. A rifle bullet, particularly one of that era, does not have enough power to cleanly sever a limb in the manner shown.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Kie: Is that what you command... sir?
Munezo Katagiri: Yes. That is my command.
Kie: If it's your command, then I have no choice but to obey.

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Connections

Follows The Twilight Samurai (2002)

User Reviews

Wonderful return to the themes of Tasogare seibei

I was watching this film in plane while returning from Japan. I noticed there is Yoji Yamadas' latest film showing, so naturally I went off watching it. The film has very beautiful sceneries and the music and atmosphere is really nice. The camera-work is usual style of Yoji Yamada. It hides more than shows. Acting is good, especially Masatoshi Nagase (Stereo Future) acts surprisingly well as a strong minded, modest samurai. I was personally surprised the choice of Takako Matsu. But since she has proved herself in her earlier films such as Shigatsu Monogatari, I knew to expect a good result from her. The plot follows pretty much the same line with Tasogare Seibei and it doesn't offer much surprise. Yet, I rate this movie 9, since it has the wonderful style of Yoji Yamada. It is a great samurai movie, and Masatoshi Nagase fans will not be disappointed.

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

30 October 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Hidden Blade

Filming Locations:

Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,466, 25 June 2006

Gross USA:

$38,147

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,043,781

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1