Forty-Seven Ronin - Pt. 1 (1941)

In 1701 Japan, the Shogun is well liked by his people; however, that does not keep corruption from occurring within his government. Lord Takuminokami Asano knows of such corruption and will not go along with it. Asano makes an attempt to kill Kozunosuke Kira, a man behind many of the local corruptions. When Asano?s attempt fails he is sentenced to hara-kiri. After Asano death, the local ronin are sent out of the city as outcasts, no longer needed. They band together in an attempt to obtain revenge for Asano?s demise.?Did you intend to kill him???My sword missed killing him. I regret it.?Kenji Mizoguchi, director of A Chronicle of the May Rain, Under the Crimson Sunset, A Paper Doll's Whisper of Spring, The Mountain Pass of Love and Hate, and The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums, delivers the 47 Ronin parts 1 & 2. The storyline for this film starts with great promise but drags on as the assisting ronin help with strong reluctance. There is little to no action in this picture while the film attempts to be carried by its dialogue.?Losing samurai spirit, he only thinks of profit.?The paintings on the walls, the request to alter the hara-kiri, the servants taking care of the wife?s hair, the last poem, the mother?s conversation with the children, the son?s request for aid, the father and son conversation about storming the castle, the father and son?s hara-kiri scene, the children practicing archery, and the divorce request were amongst the better portions of the film.?Reading this must puzzle you.?The 47 Ronin, part 1 is a methodical moving picture with intriguing dialogue and no action. This film is carried by seeing samurai, who are all responsible and respectable, differ on the revenge plot. All the samurai need money, jobs, and a cause. Despite everything they are looking for becoming available, this might not be the job for them. The outcome of this tale, present in 47 Ronin part 2, may be interesting, but the methodical approach to get there may not be.?More frail than petals scattered in the wind??[color=white]Grade: C [/color]