
The Twilight Samurai
2002, Drama, 2h 9m
70 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Samurai epic as a touching drama. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Seibei Iguchi
Tomoe Iinuma
Choubei Hisasaka
Toyotarou Kouda
Naota
Zenemon Yogo
Critic Reviews for The Twilight Samurai
All Critics (70) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (69) | Rotten (1)
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Deeply humane... a bittersweet, eloquent tribute to a man who is bent but not crushed beneath the weight of his various competing duties.
February 17, 2005 | Rating: A | Full Review… -
The story sometimes slips into soapy territory, but when you think the schmaltz is going to ruin it, Yamada gives it just enough of a twist to make you realize this is not your regular romantic film.
September 24, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
Beautifully captures the end of an age.
September 17, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 -
A determined, resolutely paced, and atypical samurai movie.
August 8, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
A small, respectful corrective.
July 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review… -
An affecting look at the vulnerable side of a warrior
July 2, 2004
Audience Reviews for The Twilight Samurai
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Oct 08, 2015Twilight Samurai has an uncommon mix of serious, emotional, and serene qualities that draw the viewer into a very believable and well-told story. The pacing is excellent and leads to a satisfying end. The lead actor makes one believe he is the character he portrays. Twilight Samurai is an example of a film that does not seem great at first but by the end the parts have indeed come together to form a greater whole.Robert B Super Reviewer
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Oct 13, 2012all about a struggling man trying to look after his daughters and elderly mother in a changing feudal japan. simpler than "hidden blade" but the environment and point is similar. sanada puts in a fine performance as seibei iguchi. it's almost as if yamada was still crafting his work here, but even so the piece still manages to be superb and endearing. loved the climatic fight sceneSanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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Oct 05, 2011Awesome Japanese 'Jane Austen' samurai drama flick. The direction of the film is beautifully impressionist. Yôji Yamada crafts pictures of everyday life which gives us an inherent understanding of the life of Seibei Iguchi (Hiroyuki Sanada), a low-ranking widowed samurai with a senile mother and two daughters, working in the castle's stores and taking in piecework to get by. Sanada is really a marvel to watch; he adds a very sensible depth and modesty to the character, and infuses it with some understated comic acting as well. As his returning childhood friend, Rie Miyazawa has a beautiful, spirited feminity that makes Sanada seem even more of a macho hunk in contrast.Dean M Super Reviewer
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Oct 03, 2011Hiroyuki Sanada breaks from samurai movie tradition has a role as the clans lowest cast of retainers. Although skilled with a sword he chooses to take care of his daughters and his mother who suffers from Alzheimers over the money, glory and late nights on the town with the other retainers that he works with at the armory storing fish. Hiroyuki Sanada was the character that taught tom cruises character to sword fight in "The Last Samurai"-2003. A very well done heart-warming piece but really slow for samurai movies.Bill C Super Reviewer
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