Review of The Hidden Blade (2004) by Kadaj C — 31 Jan 2007

At first glance I was fixated on the look of the Samuri. Then, on second fixation, I gave up any other representations of the Samuri that I have seen. Embracing the film, I really fell in love with what I feel was an accurate potrayal of the Samuri, the Geisha, Retainers, Code, Honour, "the ritual suicide", and among others the clothing and village atmosphere.

Nothing seamed so over the top, except the Retainers. Katagiri was such a warm charcter as was his love Kie. Without dramitizing the fact of artillery, enough emphasis was dealt to the fact of how meaningless life is with guns and ammo.

There is no discusion, no code, no honour, just a distance of communication, resulting in one after thought, that being death. As will most kung-fu historians, the hidden blade was something to look forward to.

Here, our Hero, Katagiri, shows there is only death to see in the Hidden Blade, there is no skill to learn. Drawing on Kie, the love in this film ( also I might add that the intro, and use of Kie's sister was magical), we see that being a homemaker is not dishonour, nor nothing against feminism.

Yes there was the Geisha in the film, but they were denounced with their insignificance towards an honorable showdown, and the love a wife had towards her then "criminal" husband. The Geisha simply laughed, knowing nothing of real love nor loyalty.

In closing I will say the Hidden Blade very much surprised me because of their truth to the story and period. I would reccomend this to any 4th grade elementary class for historical bearing. I saw Sparticus, in that grade for my first ever film.

I truly believe the Hidden Blade can be of such importance when learning Asiatic philosophy and lifestyle.