
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
You might also like

Faces

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

The Word

Before the Rain

Raise the Red Lantern
The Twilight Samurai Photos
Movie Info
In 1860s Japan, samurai Seibei (Hiroyuki Sanada) lives in a rural village with his mother and daughters, where he is stuck working as a bookkeeper rather than a warrior. Disillusioned by his position in society and the death of his wife, Seibei finally is stirred from his malaise by the arrival of Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa), a woman he loved as a child. His feelings for her are still strong, but the burdens of family, career and social standings could keep Seibei from following his desires.
Cast & Crew
Hiroyuki Sanada
Seibei Iguchi
Seibei Iguchi
Rie Miyazawa
Tomoe Iinuma
Tomoe Iinuma
Nenji Kobayashi
Choubei Hisasaka
Choubei Hisasaka
Ren Ôsugi
Toyotarou Kouda
Toyotarou Kouda
Hiroshi Kanbe
Naota
Naota
Min Tanaka
Zenemon Yogo
Zenemon Yogo
Critic Reviews for The Twilight Samurai
Audience Reviews for The Twilight Samurai
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.
Verified