The year is 1863 and Japan is in a severe political upheaval. The Shogunate of the Tokugawa was fighting the murderous ideology of sonnō jōi: "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians", whose followers had began to commit acts of murder in Kyoto. In response to this, the Shogan formed the Rōshigumi; a group of 234 Ronin who were to protect the Shogan from harm.
One of the leaders of this group was a man named Kondo Isami (Mifune), a man who would eventually dissent and go on to form the Shinsengumi. The former group, the Rōshigumi, became suspicious of the Shinsengumi and sent spies to infiltrate the organization. Henceforth the Shinsengumi not only had to deal with the task of protecting the Shogun, but also with treachery within their own group. This is the setting of Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor, a carefully researched and violent historical piece set in 19th century Japan.
Shinsengumi is an incredibly complex film. I must caution viewers that they might want to read up on the history of the time period before watching this film, if you choose not to, you might have problems following the plot. That being said, as complex as it is, Shinsengumi is just as good and rewarding.
To be honest, I knew from the first shot of this film that it was going to be great. The opening shot is of a westerner being slain by a samurai, a torrential downpour of blood spraying into the camera. I have to say the first shot set my expectations high and I wasn't disappointed. After the bloody opener, the film slows down and sets up the highly intricate plot and then introduces the viewer to Isami (expertly played by Toshiro Mifune...as always).
Isami is a former farmer and a ronin, who helps form the Shensengumi. After the current leader goes crazy from alcoholism, Isami slays him and becomes the head of the Shinsengumi. Once in power, Isami's finds out his troubles are just beginning.
Personally, I don't think I've ever seen a bad performance by the late Toshiro Mifune and Shinsengumi is another testament to his great acting ability. As far as acting goes, Shinsengumi features a great acting ensemble; from Mifune down to Katsuo Nakamura's tragic portrayal of the clan's accountant.
The only thing more exquisite than the acting is the wonderful detail poured into the set and wardrobe. Vivid colorful kimonos, haori's and hakam's abound contrasted with beautifully reconstructed 19th century Kyoto; add Kazuo Yamada's expert cinematography and Hiroshi Ueda's capable art direction and you have a historical epic.
To be clear, Shinsengumi is not an action film. Although it contains it's share of action (the scene in the Ikeda mercantile factory is incredible!!!)it's primary focus is on character development and an objective look at the political and social problems of late 19th century Japan.
Bottom Line-Director Tadashi Sawashima delivers a violent samurai masterpiece, with great acting, score, cinematography, and a flawless Mifune.
One of the leaders of this group was a man named Kondo Isami (Mifune), a man who would eventually dissent and go on to form the Shinsengumi. The former group, the Rōshigumi, became suspicious of the Shinsengumi and sent spies to infiltrate the organization. Henceforth the Shinsengumi not only had to deal with the task of protecting the Shogun, but also with treachery within their own group. This is the setting of Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor, a carefully researched and violent historical piece set in 19th century Japan.
Shinsengumi is an incredibly complex film. I must caution viewers that they might want to read up on the history of the time period before watching this film, if you choose not to, you might have problems following the plot. That being said, as complex as it is, Shinsengumi is just as good and rewarding.
To be honest, I knew from the first shot of this film that it was going to be great. The opening shot is of a westerner being slain by a samurai, a torrential downpour of blood spraying into the camera. I have to say the first shot set my expectations high and I wasn't disappointed. After the bloody opener, the film slows down and sets up the highly intricate plot and then introduces the viewer to Isami (expertly played by Toshiro Mifune...as always).
Isami is a former farmer and a ronin, who helps form the Shensengumi. After the current leader goes crazy from alcoholism, Isami slays him and becomes the head of the Shinsengumi. Once in power, Isami's finds out his troubles are just beginning.
Personally, I don't think I've ever seen a bad performance by the late Toshiro Mifune and Shinsengumi is another testament to his great acting ability. As far as acting goes, Shinsengumi features a great acting ensemble; from Mifune down to Katsuo Nakamura's tragic portrayal of the clan's accountant.
The only thing more exquisite than the acting is the wonderful detail poured into the set and wardrobe. Vivid colorful kimonos, haori's and hakam's abound contrasted with beautifully reconstructed 19th century Kyoto; add Kazuo Yamada's expert cinematography and Hiroshi Ueda's capable art direction and you have a historical epic.
To be clear, Shinsengumi is not an action film. Although it contains it's share of action (the scene in the Ikeda mercantile factory is incredible!!!)it's primary focus is on character development and an objective look at the political and social problems of late 19th century Japan.
Bottom Line-Director Tadashi Sawashima delivers a violent samurai masterpiece, with great acting, score, cinematography, and a flawless Mifune.