Michael Mayday reviews "Samurai Rebellion"
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Arts
Masaki Kobayashi's "Samurai Rebellion" is a film set in feudal Japan. Made in 1967, the film follows Isaburo Sasahara, an aging samurai, who openly defies his lord's orders.
The trouble begins when Lord Masakata arranges for Yogoro, Isaburo's son, to marry a disliked mistress. Yogoro and the mistress fall in love, but Masakata demands her to be returned after his favored heir dies.
Isaburo and Yogoro refuse to return her, despite immense pressure from both fellow clan members and their own family.
Throughout the movie it feels as if the whole world is against them. In a society that places honor before humanity and righteousness you feel the character's chill of abandonment.
That tension is what makes this movie so great. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go. Throw a little twist in at the end and you have a surprisingly good movie.
Contrary to what the title may suggest there is surprisingly little action, at first. But when things finally heat up towards the end, the action is unrelentingly intense. And at the movie's climax, you hope that Isaburo succeeds, despite the unrealistic odds.
You can find "Samurai Rebellion" in Mossey Library. The dialogue is spoken in Japanese, but it has English subtitles.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
The trouble begins when Lord Masakata arranges for Yogoro, Isaburo's son, to marry a disliked mistress. Yogoro and the mistress fall in love, but Masakata demands her to be returned after his favored heir dies.
Isaburo and Yogoro refuse to return her, despite immense pressure from both fellow clan members and their own family.
Throughout the movie it feels as if the whole world is against them. In a society that places honor before humanity and righteousness you feel the character's chill of abandonment.
That tension is what makes this movie so great. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go. Throw a little twist in at the end and you have a surprisingly good movie.
Contrary to what the title may suggest there is surprisingly little action, at first. But when things finally heat up towards the end, the action is unrelentingly intense. And at the movie's climax, you hope that Isaburo succeeds, despite the unrealistic odds.
You can find "Samurai Rebellion" in Mossey Library. The dialogue is spoken in Japanese, but it has English subtitles.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Be the first to comment on this story