Joi-uchi: Hairyô tsuma shimatsu / Samurai Rebellion

Joi-uchi: Hairyo tsuma shimatsu / Samurai Rebellion (1967)

I guess it's obvious he gets chopped to bits. Another movie spoiled by cover art

Director: Kobayashi Masaki
Writers: Hashimoto Shinobu, Takiguchi Yasuhiko
Date: 1967

Genre: Chambara
Description: Ninjo vs giri, cruel samurai tradition, a good wife, true love, fight against the daimyo, stupid politics, true internal rebellion, fight to the death

Cast: Mifune Toshiro, Kato Takeshi, Tsukasa Yoko, Nakadai Tatsuya, Hamamura Jun, Yamagata Isao, Koyama Shigeru

Crew of note: Music by Takemitsu Toru

Runtime: 128 mins.
Color: Black and White
Trivia:

summary
The movie opens with Isaburo (Mifune), one of his clan’s best, displaying his sword skill–drawing it seems like a mere ritual after decades of peace. Tatewaki (Nakadai) is his best friend, who patrols the borders of their clan. Eventually Isaburo will rebel (no surprise there) for a very good reason, and swordfights ensue! [note: Crappy summary for your benefit]

review
This is one of those films where it is best to enter with your preconceptions, expectations, and high hopes. This is the kind that’s most difficult to review, because those said expectations are part of the experience, and revealing anything more than a bare-bones background and a technical rundown may be a disservice to the potential viewing public. It’s best to see this film knowing only its title, Samurai Rebellion, as I did. Also, you should already have seen a least a couple of chambara, and know its tropes genre standards.

Let me just say a few things, though. This is one of the most complexly plotted rebellion films in chambara, and it is one of the things that makes it most interesting. As with all of Kobayashi’s work, there is a rich undercurrent of political and social commentary, about the cruel and incomprehensible traditions of the samurai, and about modern life as well. The story is treated with much restraint, just as the characters in the story control their emotions in order to fulfill either ninjo or giri. The dialogue between characters is meaningful, occasionally metaphoric, and always addressing some social or personal concern. Fidelity, loyalty and the acceptance of one’s fate are traits esteemed by bushido, but sometimes, enough is enough.

Expect a great film about a real rebellion.

conclusion
Harakiri is definitely Kobayashi’s most popular film, perhaps his best. Even The Human Condition receives more notice than this movie. Those two are justifiably must-sees, but this one deserves some recognition as well. One of the most intelligent, emotional, and down-to-earth rebellion chambara you will ever find. This isn’t an unknown movie by any standard, but it still deserves more than it’s so far received.

things to take note of
The rebellion
Mifune’s dialogue

best moment
Mifune + Nakadai
The last stand
The last duel
Conversation between Ichi an Isaburo in the rock garden

why you should watch this
Mifune + Nakadai!!!!
A chambara with a love story that also proves your expectations wrong, and even bests them

rating: 8.5

scorecard
Plot: B+
Cast: B
Cinematography: B+
Music: B
Entertainment: B+

similar movies, maybe:
Harakiri, also directed by Kobayashi
There are other “rebellion” chambara, but none are very similar to this kind of rebellion