Although I love samurai movies and movies with Toshiro Mifune, I was very surprised I didn't like this movie all that much. I think it's because the plot is VERY confusing and the final showdown is done so poorly. First, the plot: there are lots of plots and subplots and not all of them are necessary or well developed--particularly the events leading up to the infighting at the end of the movie. Second, the final fight is such a disappointment. Neither the brother nor Mifune get to kill the evil samurai. Almost out of nowhere, the evil faction begins killing each other. Now here is where it gets really dumb---the evil samurai who is a fantastic swordsman kills dozens of men with a single blow. At the same time, he is hit again and again and again YET he continues to fight and kill them. Even when he is covered in blood and falls to the ground, he miraculously arises and kills dozens more!! It seems that after losing several gallons of blood, he is STILL the greatest swordsman! Third, there's just too little Mifune in the film.
The only real plus? I liked the realism of the fighting--lots of blood and limbs flying across the screen. While I am NOT a fan of gratuitous violence, it is silly that many older samurai movies have men being cut in half with huge swords yet there is little, if any, blood.
The only real plus? I liked the realism of the fighting--lots of blood and limbs flying across the screen. While I am NOT a fan of gratuitous violence, it is silly that many older samurai movies have men being cut in half with huge swords yet there is little, if any, blood.