One of the most masculine films I've seen.

Samurai Rebellion. Another great movie from Masaki Kobayashi. Sometime back I made a thread on most masculine film-makers and having seen two great films of Kobayashi, I must say Kobayashi's right at the top of that list. I deeply admired the lead characters, the stance they take and how they stand ground right to the very end. Nothing cripples a man more than learned helplessness. While both lead characters do sway and nearly give in, which is a human tendency, they manage to keep their spirit alive and unyielding; as Isaburo states "I've never felt so alive." I was reminded of Harakiri and Kobayashi's masterful ability to manipulate audiences by withholding information. I think he also has wants to shove in our faces the fact that we as human beings are too quick to judge. In the beginning of Harakiri, we take things at face value with regard to Hanshiro's son until we find out the circumstances surrounding his actions. And we completely change sides. Similarly, here when Ichi's introduced as the Lord's jealous mistress who is being burdened on the vassal's family, we hope they won't take her in. And eventually, a new spin is put on the whole thing. Again, just as in Harakiri, injustice prevails, events get high on emotions and finally explode in a one-vs-many battle that you highly anticipate and await. One-vs-many fight sequences are mostly unrealistic, but, Kobayashi, in both his films directs them with precision and since you're emotionally invested in the character and feel his sense of indignation, you just know he has enough energy to expend and come out on top. 10/10. Best Toshiro Mifune performance I've seen. I cannot wait to see The Human Condition.

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