A story set in the mid 1800s, during the final days of the Shoguns and the Samurais, Hidden Blade is an authentically Japanese film, appropriately spliced with intelligent comic reliefs, with a controlled release of dramatic, humanly, sword fights. With tight sequences and brilliant character development, the film progresses at a balanced pace, keeping the viewer attentive and concerned. A presentation of Samurai culture and Japanese political and social structure, Hidden Blade is yet another masterpiece by director Yoji Yamada, that is both entertaining and insightful.
Plot summary
During the time of change of the mid-19th Century, Yaichiro is bid farewell by his fellow samurai friends Munezo and Samon as he leaves their clan's fiefdom on the northwest coast of Japan (Unasaka) to take an important position within the shogunate in far away Edo. Munezo has lived modestly with his mother and sister Shino after his father was forced into suicide after the failure of a bridge project. Kie, a farm girl serves them as a maid in their house. As time passes, Munezo's sister marries Samon, his mother dies, Kie is married into a merchant family, and he is required to learn western methods of warfare such as the use of artillery and firearms from an official sent from Edo. Learning that Kie is ill due to abuse, he rescues her from her husband's family. Although sharing mutual affection and respect, a marriage between Munezo and Kie is still impossible due to different castes, and when he, now a bachelor, is criticized for her serving in his house, Munezo sends her back to her father's farm. After being caught in a failed political intrigue, Yaichiro is sent home in disgrace and imprisoned in solitary confinement. After Yaichiro escapes, Munezo is ordered to prove his innocence from complicity by killing his old friend, and he seeks the help of his old teacher, the sword master Kansai Toda. Although Yaichiro had been the better swordsman when they studied together, Toda entrusted the secret of the "Hidden Blade" only to Munezo. Toda now teaches him a new technique to use as he prepares to face Yaichiro, who has taken hostages in a farm house.
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Director
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Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 1.19 GB
1280*688
Japanese 2.0
R
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
another masterpiece by director Yoji Yamada, that is both entertaining and insightful
Reviewed by
Slow and deliberate--and quite beautiful.
"The Hidden Blade" isn't necessarily that unusual. Lots of Japanese movies are set in the early years of the Meiji era--just after the country was opened up to foreign trade around the year 1860. It was a truly revolutionary period and this isn't surprising. And, there are lots of films that show the corruption of the Shoguns and local bosses that call into question the morality of the Code of Bushido. So in this sense the movie is not all that unique. However, it is handled so beautifully and deliberately that I was very, very impressed by the film.
The film concerns a samurai named Munezô Katagiri (Masatoshi Nagase). He's a good man who seems out of place. He doesn't see himself as superior to the lower classes and actually loves a woman from the lower caste. However, being a good samurai, he doesn't act upon this love--it simply wouldn't be allowed. This bothers him but he follows the unwritten rules of society. However, when he sees his leaders behaving in very dishonorable ways, he is stuck. While he agrees to kill a rogue samurai (who was his friend),the motives of his family's leaders disgust him. How will he handle this and his love for a woman who he cannot marry? See this lovely film and find out.
"The Hidden Blade" has a lot going for it. It isn't just some action film (in fact, there is an amazingly small amount of action),but it's both a love story and a film about moral dilemmas. What I liked about this most was the wonderful pacing, direction and music--it all worked together wonderfully and is a film that really, really impressed me. Beautiful and well worth seeing.
Reviewed by
Beautifully made Japanese historical drama
An understated Japanese historical drama that explores themes of honour, respect, the inevitably of death and the social caste system in the 19th century. THE HIDDEN BLADE, despite the title, is in no way an action film; there's a single swordfight at the climax (and very good it is too) but until that point this is a human drama through and through.
The movie is beautifully shot and extremely artistic. Whole scenes and single frames are captured with precision and skill. The characters are subdued and subtle and yet bring life to the screen; the actors are to be commended for giving such precise performances, particularly in the case of Masatoshi Nagase. There's romance here, and plenty of intensity despite the sedate pacing. THE HIDDEN BLADE makes a perfect companion to the similarly-themed TWILIGHT SAMURAI and deserves just as much commendation.