Another great film in the Criterion Samurai collection, but this one much different than the others. This one combines ninja type action with political intrigue dealing with the Tokugawa Shogunate 14 years after it came to power though war, but tensions still arise between other factions. A very enjoyable film, that reminded me somewhat of Shaw films of the period with the Ninja antics thrown in throughout. Excellent performances, and I love the end fight which is almost completely obscured by smoke. The film is really a cold war spy film, but set in the era of the Tokugawa shogunate.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…

The hero of the film is Sarutobi Sasuke (Takahashi Koji) a follower of the famous general Sanada Yukimura, who has sent out his followers to gather intel on the 2 sides, the Tokugawa and their enemies the Toyotomis, while the Sanada’s remain neutral. Sasuke is drawn into the conflict by a man who knew in the war who is playing both sides off each other, and knows the whereabouts of one of the 2 Tokugawa spy masters who is attempting to defect to the Toyotomis, who it later turns out include his father and Christian son. Sasuke is caught in between and blamed for 2 murders he did not commit including a women, Okiwa (Watanabe Musako) he quickly grew to care for. Eventually he choses sides and tries is willing to help to save the life of Omiyo (Yoshimura Jutsuko) an orphan from a local temple, and to help the spy master get back to his family. Finally while trying to escape the real enemy shows up after killing everyone he was helping except Omiyo who was with him, and Sasuke is almost killed, but is helped by another member of his clan, and leaves with Omiyo who has asked to marry him, and it is told that in the coming war their is no record of Sasuke having participated since he was done with war.

Quite a story, with many twists and turns, but done with great style and lighting, and music, much like the other films form this Criterion release. Very worth seeing.