Forty-Seven Ronin - Pt. 1 (1941)

Synopsis: Based on a historical incident, the legend of the 47 ronin has long been one of the most famous in Japanese culture. A perennial of the kabuki and bunraku theaters, the tale has also received... Based on a historical incident, the legend of the 47 ronin has long been one of the most famous in Japanese culture. A perennial of the kabuki and bunraku theaters, the tale has also received innumerable screen adaptations, such as Hiroshi Inagaki's CHUSHINGURA, but this version by Kenji Mizoguchi is widely regarded as the finest. Set in 1701 during the transition from a feudal society to one based on law, the film stars Chojuro Kawarasaki as Kuranosuke Oishi. When Lord Asano (Yoshizaburo Arashi) is deceived by the cruel and capricious Lord Kira (Mantoyo Mimasu) into committing an error in court etiquette, he is obliged by the rule of law to commit seppuku, ritual suicide by disembowelment. His house and property are confiscated, and the samurai under his command are reduced to the lowly status of ronin, masterless samurai. Oishi, Asano's trusted chamberlain, petitions for the return of the house under the rule of Asano's brother. However, this is merely a ruse intended to distract Kira while Oishi devises a plan for wreaking vengeance on his master's executioner. Echoing many of the themes of Shakespeare's tragic play HAMLET, Mizoguchi's film presents a meditative, ceremonial, and beautifully composed vision of this most sanguinary tale. [More]

Starring: Yoshizaburo Arashi, Utaemon Ichikawa, Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kunitaro Kawarazaki

Starring: Yoshizaburo Arashi, Utaemon Ichikawa, Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kunitaro Kawarazaki, Seizaburô Kawazu, Mantoyo Mimasu, Mitsuko Miura, Kanemon Nakamura

Director: Kenji Mizoguchi

Director: Kenji Mizoguchi

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