Kiru

KIRU   斬る（岡本喜八）

B & W / Scope /1968 /114 min / Toho

Directed by: Okamoto Kihachi
Screenplay by: Okamoto Kihachi, Murao Akira
Photography: Nshigaki Rokuro
Art Director: Akune Iwao
Music: Sato Masaru
Based on a novel by: Yamamoto Shugoro
Produced by: Tanaka Tomoyuki

CAST:

Genta (Hyodo Yagenta): Nakadai Tatsuya

Tabata Hanjiro (Hanji): Takahashi Etsushi

Oikawa Tetsutaro: Nakamura Atsuo

Takei Monnosuke: Kubo Akira

Masataka Daijiro: Kuno Seishiro

Shoda Magobei: Nakamaru Tadao

Fujii Konosuke: Hashimoto Isao

Nishimura Denzo: Hamada Akira

Yoshida Yaheiji: Chii Takeo

Matsuo Shinroku: Tsuchiya Yoshio

Chino: Hoshi Yuriko

Arao Jurota: Kishida Shin

Doshin (Buddhist): Imafuku Masao

Mizoguchi Sachu: Kagawa Ryosuke

Ayuzawa Tamiya: Koyama Shigeru

 SETTING: 1833

 LOCATION: Joshu (present Gunma Prefecture, 100 km. north of Tokyo)

SYNOPSIS:

Two men casually come into the fief of OKONOGI in Joshu. One of them is GENTA who gave up his position of samurai and became a gambler; the other man is TABATA HANJIRO who sold his farm wanting to become a samurai. The feudal government corrupts. Seven young samurais kill MIZOGUCHI SACHU, the Chief Councillor of the castle, in order to reform the government. AYUZAWA TAMIYA, the Second Councillor, sends an attacking party to arrest the seven men who are waiting, on Mt. Toride, for judgement of the lord in Edo. HANJIRO joins the attacking party, on the promise that he will be appointed samurai; and GENTA sides with the reformers. The young samurais quarrel among themselves on account of beautiful CHINO, the fiancee of OIKAWA, one of the members, and the attacking party is in disarray. HANJIRO perceives AYUZAWA’s sly motive. GENTA kills AYUZAWA and HANJIRO gives up his intention to be a samurai.

 NOTES:

This film is based on a novel, “Seventeen Days on Mt. Toride” by YAMAMOTO SHUGORO (1903-1967) who wrote many historical novels from the common people’s standpoint. Contrast of two leading men is astonishing. One of the two who come into a post town is a former samurai and now a gambler; the other is an ex-farmer who wants to become a samurai. Director OKAMOTO KIHACHI gives this action picture speedy tempo and humorous touch.