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The Hidden Blade

Original title: Kakushi ken: Oni no tsume
  • 2004
  • R
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
7K
YOUR RATING
The Hidden Blade (2004)
Theatrical Extra (Clip) from Tartan Films
Play trailer1:30
1 Video
19 Photos
DramaHistoryRomance

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.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.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
    • Yoshitaka Asama
    • Shûhei Fujisawa
  • Stars
    • Masatoshi Nagase
    • Takako Matsu
    • Hidetaka Yoshioka
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Yôji Yamada
    • Writers
      • Yôji Yamada
      • Yoshitaka Asama
      • Shûhei Fujisawa
    • Stars
      • Masatoshi Nagase
      • Takako Matsu
      • Hidetaka Yoshioka
    • 32User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 13 nominations

    Videos1

    The Hidden Blade
    Trailer 1:30
    Watch The Hidden Blade

    Photos19

    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    Masatoshi Nagase in The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)
    The Hidden Blade (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Masatoshi Nagase
    Masatoshi Nagase
    • Munezô Katagiri
    Takako Matsu
    Takako Matsu
    • Kie
    Hidetaka Yoshioka
    • Samon Shimada
    Yukiyoshi Ozawa
    Yukiyoshi Ozawa
    • Yaichirô Hazama
    Tomoko Tabata
    • Shino Katagiri
    Chieko Baishô
    • Mrs. Katagiri
    Kunie Tanaka
    Kunie Tanaka
    • Kanbê Katagiri
    Toshiki Ayata
    Hiroshi Kanbe
    • Naota
    Sachiko Mitsumoto
    • Mrs. Iseya
    Reiko Takashima
    • Hazama's Wife
    Satoko Yamamura
    Nana Saito
    • Bun
    • (as Nana Saitô)
    Kazuhiko Kasai
    Ryôta Satô
    Jun Maeda
    Takai Mizuno
    Yoshiko Shinohara
    • Director
      • Yôji Yamada
    • Writers
      • Yôji Yamada
      • Yoshitaka Asama
      • Shûhei Fujisawa
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Followed by Love and Honor (2006)

    User reviews32

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    The real last samurai.
    Fans of the common chambara (swordfigfht) film will be disappointed - this is not an action film. Tartan films is making a mistake by loading its marketing of this film in America with hints that it might be. In fact, this film probably could better distributed by Criterion, since it is the equal of any of the Japanese dramas it handles.

    This is a real throwback to the grand tradition of Japanese film - Ozu, Kurosawa, Mizoguchi. Flawless cinematography, almost painful care for detail, strong back story, meditative commentary on political history, and a passionate cross-caste romance, much as that captured in the "Samurai" trilogy. Sensitive acting and elegant direction. a romantic soundtrack that never becomes overbearing. Really a film for the ages.

    This is the film most people should be watching instead of the Tom Cruise farce "The Last Samurai". Indeed, sympathetic viewing of this film will at least make clear why many of us were outraged at the Cruise film - this has all the thoughtful reflection on the social tensions of that era that "The Last Samurai" lacked.

    A fascinating demonstration that the Japanese well know their own history and need no reminders from Hollywood - and can depict that history with a sweep and vision easily as grand and as beautiful as anything Hollywood can produce.
    helpful•55
    6
    • winner55
    • May 10, 2007

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 2004 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Samuray: Gizli Kılıç
    • Filming locations
      • Japan
    • Production companies
      • Eisei Gekijo
      • Hakuhodo DY Media Partners
      • Nippon Shuppan Hanbai (Nippan) K.K.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,147
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,466
      • Jun 25, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,043,781
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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