Cinema has always had a fondness for the tales of samurai. Whether it’s thrilling action films, heartbreaking dramas, or even love stories, filmmakers have followed these mythic characters for almost a century. While the golden era of samurai movies was during the 1950s and ’60s, particularly during the time of acclaimed directorAkira Kurosawa, the genre still lives on today.
Hollywood has even embraced elements of the predominately Japanese genre, with popular films such asKill BillandThe Wolverinefeaturing homages to the way of the samurai. Video games have also focused on the fabled warriors, withGhost of TsushimaandTrek to Yomibeing recent examples.While the output of samurai films may have slowed down in recent decades, quality films are still being released in the genre, even without Kurosawa.
18’Zatoichi: The Last' (2010)
Directed by Junji Sakamoto
Blind swordsman Zatoichi (Shingo Katori) hopes to settle down and live a peaceful life farming with his friend. Unfortunately, his peace is interrupted by a gang of yakuza who arrive in his town and begin exploiting the people. Thus, it falls to Zatoichi to once again brandish his sword and fight for justice.
WhileZatoichi: The Lastis far from thebest movie based on the famous character,it still offers enough samurai thrills to entertain fans of the genre. If you are a Zatoichi fan you may want to give it a miss as it is a controversial take on the character, but those who care little for lore will not mind.
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17’Punk Samurai Slash Down' (2018)
Directed by Gakuryū Ishii
Kake Junoshin (Go Ayano) is a ronin in search of work. When he happens upon the Kurokaze clan, he lies his way into their ranks, falsely claiming that a religious cult is targeting them. After his lie is revealed, he finds himself given the death sentence and must fight his way out to survive.
As the name implies,Punk Samurai Slash Downmelds samurai action with a punk rock personality. Don’t let the synopsis fool you into thinking this is your standard samurai movie, as it fires on all cylinders and incorporates elements of Fantasy into its crazy adventure. A future cult classic.
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16'47 Ronin' (2013)
Directed by Carl Rinsch
After their master commits seppuku as a result of a false accusation, his loyal samurai set out to avenge their lord by raiding the one responsible. Among them is Kai (Keanu Reeves' underrated character), a half-Japanese, half-English outcast who was adopted by the fallen lord and who seeks revenge alongside his newfound brothers.
While it can be debated that47 Ronindoes not deserve a place among good samurai movies, it is still an entertaining enough watch. The focus of a white protagonist in a Japanese story was a misstep, butits incorporation of fantasy elements, such as witches and giants, helps give it a unique identitycompared to more traditional samurai fare.
15’Samurai Marathon' (2019)
Directed by Bernard Rose
When the American army arrives in Feudal Japan, one lord sends his men on a marathon through the country to see if they are tough enough to combat the new arrivals. When a misunderstanding of the lord’s intentions results in assassins being dispatched, one young warrior realizes the truth and races to prevent a disaster.
Samurai Marathonjuggles multiple characters to great effect, creating an epic storylinethat contains elements of action, comedy, and tragedy. The cinematography is beautiful, and the film is a great showcase for the visual splendor that exists across the Japanese countryside.
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14’Versus' (2000)
Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura
Anunderrated cult classic from the turn of the century,Versusfollows a large group made up of escaped convicts, Yakuza, police, and innocent bystanders as they all find themselves stuck in a forest full of zombies. As well as fighting the undead, the strangers often find themselves battling each other.
Popular due to its highly entertaining mix of martial arts combat, zombie action, gore, and strange characters,Versusalso delights thanks to its oddball sense of humor. Both zombie and action fans owe it to themselves to seek out this movie that also sees its hero unleash his inner samurai in the latter half.
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13’Blade of the Immortal' (2017)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Manji (Takuya Kimura) is a tortured, immortal samurai who wanders Feudal Japan, ageless. When he encounters the young Rin (Hana Sugasaki), he is convinced to become her bodyguard as she seeks revenge against the ones who murdered her parents. Together they set out to spill the blood of the samurai that were responsible.
Directed by gonzo masterTakashi Miike,Blade of the Immortalfeatures his trademark flair while offering rich characterizationof its two lead characters. Based on the manga of the same name,Blade of the Immortalis a faithful adaptation that is bursting with samurai battles and bloody violence.
Blade of the Immortal
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12’Sword of Desperation' (2010)
Directed by Hideyuki Hirayama
After assassinating a lord’s wife, the captured samurai Kanemi is expecting to be put to death. Instead, he is condemned to a year of imprisonment before being forced to work as the widowed lord’s bodyguard. Flashbacks reveal that Kanemi is part of a grand conspiracy where he is merely a pawn for those ranked above him.
More of aslow-burn drama than an action movie,Sword of Desperationkeeps viewers investedthanks to its exploration of political machinations in Feudal Japan. The film is also a faithful recreation of the samurai way of life as Kanemi’s story is told.
11’The Last Ronin' (2010)
Directed by Shigemichi Sugita
After their lord is unjustly executed, his loyal army of samurai set out to avenge their fallen master. Rather than focus on their quest for revenge,The Last Roninpicks up 16 years after the samurai achieved their vengeance and committed ritual suicide for their deeds, with the plot following the lone survivor as he travels the country to visit each of the families of his fallen brothers.
47 Roninis a popular samurai story andThe Last Roninexplores the aftermath of that revenge saga, creating a touching character studyin the process. Anyone with a fondness for the legendary warriors will find plenty to love in this thoughtful examination of their lifestyle.
10’Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai' (2011)
1962’sHarakiriis considered one of thegreatest samurai movies of all timeand has had a significant influence on the genre as a whole. This remake fromgonzo master Takashi Miike updates the classic tale for a modern audiencewhile staying true to what made the original story so timeless, especially its political and social themes and commentary.
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samuraitells the tale of a samurai who arrives at a lord’s estate and asks if he may enact ritual suicide on the man’s property. From there, the stories of both men are revealed as the audience learns what led this samurai to wind up at this specific location.
9’When the Last Sword is Drawn' (2002)
Directed by Yōjirō Takita
When a man finds that he can no longer provide for his family, he commits himself to a notorious samurai clan. While the pay is good and his family remains fed, the acts the man is forced to inflict go against his values and push him to the edge of his morals. How far will he go before he finally snaps?
When the Last Sword is Drawnis an examination of how far the good will go to protect the ones they love, despite the toll it clearly takes on them as they go against their personal beliefs and morals.An emotionally resonant film,When the Last Sword is Drawnis a samurai movie tearjerker.
