Review of The Hidden Blade (2004) by Keith B — 26 Jun 2007

This film is easily one of the best samurai films to emerge since Kurosawa's 'Ran' in 85. The thin color palette, graceful use of mise-en-scene, dense landscapes (the winter ones are especial beautiful) are resonate in the tone of 60-70s samurai masters like Okamoto.

But the story, though traditional, resonates with more modern concerns. It's more a reflection on the past to try to udnerstand the present. The beginning presents the main character as a lower class samurai struggling to adapt to the changing landscapes of Japan.

Trying to read English and Dutch and failing to learn how to use firearms and other Western military devices and tactics. It's an intense samurai film in the style of Japanese classics, but dense with application to the modern world struggles.

An alternative view of the samurai film that's worth a couple of hours.