Samurai films, also known as jidaigeki (period drama) and chanbara (sword-fighting films,) are mostly represented by the many spectacular films of Akira Kurosawa. Though he’s undoubtedly the master of the craft, other artists of the time added to the conversation and modern entries continue to innovate on the format.
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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
Jim Jarmusch, perhaps the biggest figure of American independent cinema, adapts Le Samouraï, a French neo-noir classic, while frequently quoting from Hagakure, the Japanese Samurai guidebook. This is a cross-cultural mashup that turns a crime thriller into a 90s jidaigeki. It’s a strange project for all involved, but the result must be seen to be believed. Forest Whitaker stars as the eponymous Ghost Dog, a skilled hitman who obsessively follows the code of Bushido as outlined in Hagakure. A lot of modern samurai films use the filmmaking techniques of today to depict the stories of yesterday. Jarmusch is the rare figure who elevated the storytelling language of classics from multiple cultures, then blended them into the skin of a contemporary crime thriller. It’s ambitious, and it succeeds.
Ichi
One of the most notable samurai ever to appear on the screen is the blind master Zatoichi. There was a 100-episode TV series, dozens of films, and multiple other works that cover the exploits of this character. In 2008, Fumihiko Sori directed a sort of spiritual successor to the Zatoichi film franchise with Ichi. The story follows Ichi, a young blind woman who wanders the countryside in search of her master Zatoichi. She passes her time by playing beautiful music and winning duels to the death. The plot is a bit predictable, but the tale of Ichi is powerful on an emotional level. Ichi is a beautiful film on an audiovisual level, with elegant camerawork and magical music underpinning its bloody action setpieces. Australian musician Lisa Gerrard, who also composed the music for the Ridley Scott film Gladiator, made this film sound incredible. Ichi is more-or-less unknown, but it’s an absolute treat for any fan of the genre.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
The fourth live-action adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s beloved manga series manages to outclass its predecessors and become one of the best anime films of all time. The film depicts the iconic pacifist warrior Kenshin Himura as he does battle with the Shanghai mafia and continues his quest for redemption. This film is massively uplifted by the performance of Mackenyu Arata, who portrays the main villain, Yukishiro Enishi. It’s a stellar take on the character, imbuing the sword-wielding Mafioso with overwhelming menace and a deeply compelling screen presence. This film is far more overblown than the average jidaigeki, but it lives up to the promises of the genre with emotional depth, perfect action setpieces, and an epic fast-paced narrative. The Final is the best film in the Kenshin franchise, but it’s also one of the best modern samurai films on the market.
Blade of the Immortal
Another manga adaptation, but this one comes from one of the most distinct visionaries in the world of Japanese films. None other than Takashi Miike directed this 2017 adaptation of Hiroaki Samura’s groundbreaking series. Miike is the type of filmmaker who leaves audiences stunned, both by the quality of his work and the inexplicable creative decisions contained within. Immortal tells the tale of the undying swordsman Manji, as he becomes the caretaker of Rin, a young orphan girl. Moved by her tragic tale, Manji joins Rin’s quest for vengeance against those who killed her family, leading the duo to carve a bloody swath across Japan. Though the story feels a bit classic, essentially a jidaigeki retelling of True Grit, Miike’s vision shines through in the action scenes. There is some truly brutal violence on display, and it hits with staggering impact in every scene. Blade of the Immortal is an instant classic and a must-see for fans of classic manga or modern samurai.
Hitokiri
Kurosawa is the unquestioned master, but, there were always other voices in this genre. Hideo Gosha was the Sergio Corbucci to Kurosawa’s Sergio Leone. Gosha’s magnum opus came in 1969, with this adaptation of the true story of Okada Izō, the legendary samurai and assassin. Izō is depicted here as a mortal man, desperately resorting to violence to fight his way out of poverty. It’s a grim tale, one that removes the romance from the chanbara genre. With a stellar cast and note-perfect atmosphere, Gosha demonstrates his mastery of the genre and earns much greater credit than he currently commands.
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