Sword of the Beast
獣の剣
Japan • 1965
Director
#311Criterion Collection →Synopsis
Legendary swordplay filmmaker Hideo Gosha's Sword of the Beast chronicles the flight of the low-level swordsman Gennosuke, who kills one of his ministers as part of a reform plot. His former comrades then turn on him, and this betrayal so shakes his sense of honor that he decides to live in the wild, like an animal. There he joins up with a motley group who are illegally mining the shogun’s gold, and, with the aid of another swordsman, gets a chance not just at survival but to recover his name and honor.
Synopsis
Legendary swordplay filmmaker Hideo Gosha's Sword of the Beast chronicles the flight of the low-level swordsman Gennosuke, who kills one of his ministers as part of a reform plot. His former comrades then turn on him, and this betrayal so shakes his sense of honor that he decides to live in the wild, like an animal. There he joins up with a motley group who are illegally mining the shogun’s gold, and, with the aid of another swordsman, gets a chance not just at survival but to recover his name and honor.
Part of Box Set
Credits
Crew
DirectorHideo Gosha
WriterEizaburo Shiba, Hideo Gosha
ComposerToshiaki Tsushima
ProducerMasayuki Satō, Gin'ichi Kishimoto
Cast
Mikijiro Hiraas Yuuki Gennosuke
Gō Katōas Jurata Yamane
Shima Iwashitaas Taka
Kunie Tanakaas Tanji
Eijirō Tōnoas Minister