Sword of the Beast

This early Hideo Gosha jidai-geki that was released by Criterion opens quite abruptly with a ronin named Gennosuke being hunted down for having killed his clan's counsellor. We're at 1857, on the brink of the Meiji reformation that saw Japan opening to the west after years of seclusion and the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The central plot revolves around the struggle between the old and new in a country on the verge of change. Although short in duration (clocking in at 85 minutes), the story never lets up with numerous twists and a fast pace. A series of events will find Gennosuke and a prospector he meets along the way searching for gold in a mountain, until they get caught up in another clan's schemes. Nothing is what it seems though, and therein lies the beauty of Sword of the Beast. As the story progresses both forwards and backwards (with glimpses in Gennosuke's past in the form of flashbacks), the characters' motives are fully fleshed out and this provides the extra dramatic oomph that pushes Sword of the Beast above "merely OK" territory. Behind all the swordfighting (and there's enough of it to be enjoyed here, certainly not Lone Wolf and Cub though), Gosha has a story to communicate.

With beautiful natural exteriors photographed in stark black and white, confident directing from Gosha, very good swordfighting scenes from actors who know their trade and decent performances all around, Sword of the Beast should appeal to all jidai-geki fans. It's neither as monolithic and tragic as Masaki Kobayashi's work from the same time nor as lyrical as Kurosawa's, but it stands somewhere in the middle, stripped to the essentials with a focus on story and theme.

For all the classic jidaigeki to have ever been made that broached ponderous themes with epic storytelling and a mind for artistry, it's somewhat refreshing to see an instance that goes against that grain. 'Sword of the beast' is a fairly direct, no-frills samurai flick that launches us into the plot even as the opening credits flash on-screen, and scenes move as quickly as fugitive Gennosuke as blades clash. The story is compelling, the action exciting, and the production rich and satisfying, but this is a representation of the genre that's relatively reduced, or at least relatively streamlined. To some degree it may not be as perfectly striking and impressive as some of its brethren, but nevertheless we get exactly what we want, and it's well worth checking out.

The narrative is one of grossly unequal power structures and malfeasance, aspirations and daring, and cold determination as samurai Gennosuke, being pursued after killing a counselor, gets involved in a bid to take gold from a mountain claimed by higher authorities. Further information emerges as the length draws on, and in the meanwhile unexpectedly strong characterizations round out stark but surprisingly flavorful scene writing to sustain the vibrancy here. Plentiful violence ensues with fantastic stunts, fight choreography and effects, providing the bursts of invigoration we commonly anticipate of such pictures. And that latter phrase rather extends to most all elements, for though this declines the more grandiose propensities of much kindred fare, the filming locations are gorgeous, and the sets and costume design fetching and filled with detail. Gosha Hideo's direction is perhaps a tad brusque, yet purposefully so in keeping with the spirit of the proceedings, and the filmmaker ably summons the potency laid out in the screenplay he penned with Shiba Eizaburo.

Especially in being a bit straightforward in presentation and curt in tone, 'Sword of the beast' sometimes almost feels like a precursor to exploitation movies amidst the violence and sexuality. To this add a touch of the western as multiple parties show interest in the mountain and begin to converge there. All the same the plot bears enough complexity to be interesting, engaging, and rewarding on its own accord, and the film is otherwise sufficiently well made - including vivid cinematography, sharp editing, and nice flourishes of music - to make the viewing experience one that's very worthwhile. Moreover, the cast give fine performances befitting the harsh tenor, from foremost Hira Mikijiro, or Kato Takeshi, to those in supporting parts like Kimura Toshie, or Iwashita Shima. The sum total isn't a feature that is absolutely gripping, or demands viewership, yet meaningful themes and story beats adjoin the action and the otherwise excellence, and some moments are especially well done, including a climax that brings everything together with ugly clarity and impact.

Strictly speaking it may have some rough edges, but only ever by design, and there are no abject flaws here. How much one appreciates 'Sword of the beast' will come down to the style of storytelling and film-making that one favors, for while we do get tinges of the more august, measured mastery we routinely saw from the likes of Kurosawa Akira, Kobayashi Masaki, or Inagaki Hiroshi, mostly this title is inclined more toward pure, unadorned expression of everything we treasure in jidaigeki. If in any way it doesn't stand quite as tall as its peers, it's only as a matter of personal preference. For my part I find this to be overall superb, and if anything just not as powerful or profound as it might have been with a smidgen more finesse - although, for the level on which Gosha and his contemporaries operated, the distinction ultimately doesn't mean all that much. Scrutinize the minutiae as we may, what it comes down to is that 'Sword of the beast' is terrific, absorbing, and enjoyable, and whatever your impetus for watching, I'm pleased to give it my solid recommendation.

The plot of this film with all its brilliantly weaved in subplots, is as fresh as it was on release simply for its varied human emotions involved.It is brilliantly constructed plot for its masterful simplicity and coherence.I beg to differ with the previous review that the plot is complicated.It has been masterfully shot by Toshitada Tsuchiya.Though not as exclusively done in Hara Kiri, the issue of the insurmountable Samurai-pride is touched upon and exposed for its obvious conflict with human values and frailties.The universal theme of power-centers exploiting desperate individuals for its ends and expending with them once the latter serve out the former's purpose is explored in this film.The theme of the ever-resillient individuals faced with debilitating order and the need to escape the same to be free and alive is the principal theme of this film. Even in its length the film is just one and a half hours.It is so good one would wish it were longer!! This film is highly recommended for anyone interested in films, along with Samurai-drama fans and those who appreciate good cinematography. Definitely a classic.

As others have mentioned, this is a solid film about corruption among feudal samurai. The acting and cinematography are both good and the evolution in the characters throughout the film is solid. The action scenes, while not all too common, are very frenetic and gripping.

It is easy to see why this was a Criterion release. There are certainly a number of good samurai movies, but this one isn't like all the others. The title may easily be confused in English with "Sword of Doom" and the protagonist does look quite a bit like Tatsuya Nakadai, but these movies and their themes are completely different.

The movie also stayed with me after watching it. It left me thinking about cults, fraternities and clans. Individuals who dedicate themselves most selflessly to a cause or group, aren't they the easiest group members to sacrifice?

One of Gosha's earlier movies, it contains all the elements that made him a "chambara" director to be admired and emulated: Well-composed and thoughtful cinematography, a cynical view of authority (with certain implications for modern Japanese society), human drama, and OF COURSE, some excellent swordplay!

Certainly a solid and watchable samurai drama, both for "popcorn" and "cinema" appeal. I'd see Goyokin and/or Hitokiri first, but see this one next!