The 47 Ronin (1941)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Samurai Film, Costume Adventure, Period Film |
Run Time - 113 min. |
Countries - Japan |
MPAA Rating - NR
Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Produced over a two-year period, Kenji Mizoguchi's version of the oft-filmed Seika Mayama story The 47 Ronin was too big to be confined to a single film. Thus, it was released in two parts, each running between 105 and 115 minutes. The story begins in feudal Japan in December of 1701, when warrior leader Lord Asano is tricked into committing Hara-Kiri. Oishi, Asano's loyal clansman, holds the wicked Lord Kira responsible. 14 months after Arano's death, Oishi assembles 47 loyal Ronin (samurai) to exact vengeance. Director Mizoguchi abandoned his usual fascination with modern-day social problems in favor of epic patriotism (remember, the film was made while Japan was still winning World War II.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
war, anger, capture, construction, family-member, fidelity, honor [recognition], injustice, insult, Japan, lord, maniac, master [expert], Native-American, power, punishment, railroad, revenge, Samurai, self-sacrifice, suicide, violence
Attributes
High Artistic Quality, High Historical Importance
