This film begins during a turbulent period in Japanese history with 3 samurai by the names of "Sasa Hayatenosake" (Toshiro Mifune), "Kagami Yakeiji" (Danshiro Ichikawa) and "Tachibana Jurata" (Rentaro Mikuni) serving together and being besieged in a castle by a superior force. Knowing they are all going to perish, Yakeiji is determined to die defending the castle, while both Hayate and Jurata both consider escaping that night. To that effect, although Hayate isn't scared of death, his reason for wanting to escape is due to his love for a woman named "Kano" (Shinobu Asaji) who is also in the castle and cannot escape without his help. On the other hand, he also feels a certain amount of kinship with Yakeiji, and feels somewhat guilty about abandoning him while the battle is yet to be fought. Because of this crisis of conscience, he decides to entrust Jurata with the welfare of Kano while he reluctantly fights next to Yakeiji. Interestingly enough, although Yakeiji is determined to die fighting, he is wounded and taken prisoner. Hayate, on the other hand, fights as long as he can but, even though he is badly wounded, manages to eventually escape. Meanwhile, both Jurata and Kano are able to evade the enemy soldiers and also escape. However, after several days, it soon becomes clear that Jurata has fallen in love with Kano even though she is still determined to find Hiyate at any cost. For his part, Hiyata is found and nursed back to health by a young woman named "O'Ryo" (Shirley Yamaguichi) who subsequently falls in love with him as well. What none of these people realize, however, is that their destinies are interwoven and each of them will meet one another--at least once again--under extremely serious circumstance. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this turned out the be a pretty good film, all things considered. Admittedly, it is somewhat dated, and the picture quality suffers a because of it. Even so, I enjoyed this particular movie, and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
