Product Details

• Actors: Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Tomoko Tabata
• Directors: Yôji Yamada
• Writers: Yôji Yamada, Shûhei Fujisawa, Yoshitaka Asama
• Producers: Hiroshi Fukazawa
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (DTS ES)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Tartan Video
• DVD Release Date: August 8, 2006
• Run Time: 132 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000FS9FIK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,970 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Hidden Blade" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Prolific Japanese director Yoji Yamada's affecting, award-winning period drama The Hidden Blade (2004) continues his examination of the clash between the modern world and the code of the samurai that was begun in his Oscar-nominated Twilight Samurai. Like its predecessor, with which it shares not only themes but cast members, The Hidden Blade takes place at the cusp of the 20th century, when the romance and honor of the samurai world has given way to petty bureaucracy and the intrusion of the outside world, as exemplified by a warrior in Western dress who seeks to instruct his rural comrades in British rules of military conduct. Their attempts to acclimate, at once humorous and heartbreaking, underscore the picture's central conflict, a love story between a samurai (Masatoshi Nagase, the ardent Elvis Presley fan in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train), whose loyalties to his superiors are tested by a mission to dispatch a friend (Yukiyoshi Ozawa) accused of treason, and his family's maid (Takako Matsu), whom he is forbidden to marry due to ancient issues of class. Viewers seeking the explosive action of traditional chanbara (Japanese sword-fighting films) may find Yamada's reserved pace somewhat challenging, but the leisurely focus allows him to observe the fading traditions of feudal Japan through intimate depictions of the rituals of everyday life. The result is a poignant film about loss, love, and honor, gorgeously photographed and performed with subtle grace by its trio of leads. The Blu-ray/DVD combo includes several extras that focus largely on Yamada, including an introspective making-of featurette, a 2004 Q&A at a press conference, and his visit to the film's premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. A US trailer, which focuses on action, and a Japanese spot that's centered on the love story, round out the set. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

Mid-19th Century Japanese Samurai film was nominated for 12 Japanese Academy Awards. Recommended.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Film that goes beyond the Japanese Samurai or Martial Arts genre January 15, 2007

By S. Wong

Format:DVD

I thought that director Yôji Yamada could not possibly top Twilight Samurai, but I was wrong. This is a great film for even those that are not martial arts fans. The acting is great, the screenplay is excellent and believable. Director Yamada also had great cinematographers and music.

Since the story for both Twilight Samurai and Hidden Blade were written by the same author and took place in the same part of Japan, one reviewer unfairly indicated the story was a rehash of the first. Definitely, I disagree with this assessment.

I don't want to give anything away. For those that are like me, be sure to have a box of tissues handy when you see this memorable film. I rented it and was so taken by the film (even watching it twice during the same weekend), that I purchased the DVD immediately from Amazon.

65 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Sweetness August 24, 2006

By Lee Armstrong HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Yoji Yamada's "Twilight Samurai" was an extraordinary treat. Following in similar footsteps, "The Hidden Blade" is again a samurai tale where a lower samurai must weigh matters of principle against what is politically and financially advantageous. Shown at film festivals in Berlin & Newport Beach, the main character is Munezo Katagiri whose sister marries out of the household. Masatoshi Magase who played so romantically as the second love interest in "The Sea Is Watching" does the title role. He's very sensitive and honest, but a bit out of touch with his own emotional needs. Takako Matsu who has only made 3 films including 2006's "Suite Dreams" plays the housekeeper Kie. She works hard and lovingly takes care of Katagiri's house. Matsu's beautiful good looks and expressive face make her a charmer. Caste issues divide her from the samurai. When Kie marries, her new family abuses and fails to appreciate her. This results in her illness and rescue by Katagiri who barges into the household and rescues Kie from her own husband! Kie is nursed back to health. Meanwhile Yaichiro Hazama is from the same samurai clan and has gone to the big city of Edo where he gets caught in a plot to overthrow the Emperor. He's brought back home in a basket and imprisoned, rather than being given the dignity of hari kiri. The authorities come to Katagiri and give him the charge of dueling with Hazama, who breaks out of prison and holes up in a rural hut. The lovely Reiko Takashima plays Hazama's wife and comes to barter with the only commodity she has, her body, to try and save her husband's life. She goes to the Chief in charge (forgot his title) and makes a similar deal when Katagiri refuses her. Unfortunately, the unscrupulous Chief has no intention of freeing Hazama and fails to inform Katagiri as he has promised Mrs. Hazama he would do. Min Tanaka who played in "Twilight Samurai" is the retired martial arts instructor Toda who gave Katagiri knowledge of a special move called the Devil's Claw. Now living in a pastoral setting, he gives Katagiri a few last tips. The duel takes place with Katagiri surviving. The Chief suffers justice at Katagiri's hands with the lightning fast Devil's Claw dispatching him to the next world. Deciding to follow Toda's example, Katagiri renounces his pledge as samurai and sweetly approaches Kie who has not remarried and no longer has a caste restriction separating her from the man she obviously loves. There is a real sweetness and innocence in the story of "Hidden Blade" that shows a moral compass. The performances, direction and cinematography are first-rate. Bravo!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Blade... Hidden Treasure October 9, 2006

By __Alessandro__

Format:DVD

Wow! What a delight. I picked "Hidden Blade"up from the local video store on the way home from work. It was just on a whim, based mainly upon superficialities (the cover art, the interesting title, the intriguing plot summary on the back), but am I ever glad I did.

This movie is an absolute gem, packed with engaging storylines and intricate character development. There isn't a tremendous amount of action, per se, but the few scenes demonstrate excellent technique. I was glued to the set the entire movie and was saddened when the movie came to a close at the end.

Pick this up for a wonderful human story satisfy your nostalgic longing for days of love and honor.