☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Goyokin
(1969) – H. Gosha
Tatsuya Nakadai (probably best known for
Kagemusha and Ran but also in Harakiri, Yojimbo, The Human Condition, When
A Woman Ascends the Stairs, and Samurai Rebellion, among many others) stars as
a ronin samurai who has left his clan because they were involved in the
massacre of innocent farmers, as part of a nefarious plot to steal gold from
the shogun. Nakadai’s character has felt
terrible guilt in the three years since, because he never turned in the
villains or challenged them. His honour gone,
he is about to sell his sword when he hears that his clan, led by Tetsurô Tanba
is about to try the same plan again, with another village doomed to be wiped
out to cover up the theft of more gold. So,
Nakadai makes his way slowly and steadily to the scene of the battle to make up
for his mistake. Naturally, in true chambara
style, the film will end in a duel between Nakadai and Tanba. However, the inexorable nature of the plot
still leaves room for some great scenes (Nakadai besieged in a two-story shack
that is eventually set on fire) and some excellent widescreen vistas (waves
crashing on rocks, samurai against the sunset).
Perhaps not the greatest of samurai films, but enjoyable for fans of the
genre or Nakadai.
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