13 Assassins
Though view to be a predominantly Eastern film genre , Samurai films have left an indelible wallop on Western filmmaking . Influencing famous directors such as Quentin Tarantino and George Lucas , the genre helped to establish some long - bear pop finish products now considered to be pillar of entertainment in Europe and North America .
Unfortunately , few aside from dedicated film buff return to these black - and - ashen classics , and that ’s a definite shame , as , despite their years , they represent some of the best storytelling ever committed to film . From Hara - Kiri to Seven Samurai , these are the best of the best of the musical genre harmonize to Rotten Tomatoes .
update on March 23rd , 2022 by Tanner Fox : In the modern epoch , samurai films are typically see to be tropey and played out . Much like Spaghetti westerly films , many turn over films featuring katana - wielding warriors in feudal Japan to be a bygone ware of the 1950s and 1960s .
While that may be rightful to some extent , there ’s no overemphasise the part some of these movie flirt in establish modern - 24-hour interval westerly dada culture . From the smutty - and - white classic that helped to inspire Star Wars and Kill Bill to more up - to - day of the month offerings that instigated the wage hike of anime in the West , these pic just should not be miss .
Blade of the Immortal (2017) – 86%
Available on Tubi, Vudu, Pluto TV, and Hulu
The hundredth — yes , one with two zeros behind it — film from Japanese director Takashi Miike , Blade of the Immortalis an adaption of a manga of the same name , and many concern what it might become in Miike ’s hands , as he was responsible for the largely - disliked live - activeness reading ofJojo ’s Bizzare Adventure : Diamond Is Unbreakablefrom the same year .
Yet , stylish and fulgent , Blade of the Immortalwas an excellent agency of its source material . feature the effort of a samurai blaspheme with immortality and tasked with protecting a little tiddler , fans of other Japanese production such as From Software ’s 2019 video gameSekiro : Shadows Die Twicemay notice some major similarity .
Zatoichi (2003) – 87%
Available to purchase on Prime Video
Zatoichi , the remake of a likewise - rat 1962 pic , is every bit as deserving as a successor to the deed ’s bequest . It features one of the most singular premises for samurai or natural action films ever ; the booster of this samurai motion picture is a blind masseuse who also bechance to be a redoubtable warrior .
No other film could have pulled off such a avant-garde idea successfully . Yet , at its heart and soul , the motion picture is a basic revenge story where the blind samurai reluctantly help two sisters get revenge against a mob that dispatch their parents . There ’s no shortage of ferocity and gore in this film , either .
Kagemusha (1980) – 88%
In this 1980 Akira Kurosawa epic , a stealer is spared from execution due to his preternatural resemblance to a feudal lord , and , when that lord is by and by kill , he must act as a stand - in to forbid further political turmoil .
One of Kurosawa ’s later works , Kagemushastands as a will to his seniority as a film producer . While it ’s perhaps not quite as observe as some of his early loss , Kagemushais an excellent music genre film , and the concept of body doubles later became prevalent in higher - visibility westerly plastic film , most notably the first instalment in George Lucas’Star Warsprequel trilogy .
Ninja Scroll (1993) – 94%
Available on Hulu
In the other 1990s , interest in gum anime began to surge in North America , with films like Studio Ghibli’sPrincess Mononokeand Mamoru Oshii’sGhost in the Shelllaunching the sensitive into the pop culture stratosphere . However , before those two releases came the comparatively less - recognizedNinja Scroll .
mellow - octane , parentage - soaked , and limit - promote , Ninja Scrollmade westerly interview sit up and take card . Partially responsible for for the protraction of the badass ninja image in the public awareness , Ninja Scrollmay not be known for its groundbreaking ceremony storytelling or filmmaking technique , but it ’s even so worth a watch nearly thirty year after its debut in North America .
13 Assassins (2010) – 95%
Available on Tubi, Vudu, Pluto TV, and Prime Video
By far the most modern entry in this title , 2011’s13 Assassinssuccessfully embolden the magic of films likeHarakiriandSamurai Rebellion . A group of once - patriotic samurai became disappointed with their sadistic feudal lord and staged an blackwash attempt against him .
It ’s a period drama and action film that checks all of the boxful for the genre . Even more telling is the fact that it ’s a remake of a 1963 classic from an esteemed theater director . Before13 Assassins , many film critic agreed that samurai moving picture were no longer fashionable and had aged poorly . Fortunately , the13 Assassinsremake proved everyone amiss .
Yojimbo (1961) – 95%
Available on HBO Max
sports fan of the classic Clint Eastwood WesternA Fistful of Dollarsmay feel right at home with Akira Kurosawa’sYojimbo , as it was the 1964 film ’s prime inspiration . In fact , the fellowship that ownedYojimbo(1961)in Japan even sued the makers ofA Fistful of Dollarsfor remaking the exact same pic in a Hollywood flavor and won .
The plastic film is about a lone hungry and masterless samurai who happens upon two rival faction and decides to play with both of them to make some money . Without this film , Clint Eastwood ’s claim to fame likely would not have been as dramatic , nor would Spaghetti Western moving picture be as popular .
Ran (1985) – 96%
Ranis one of Akira Kurosawa ’s late works , but it is by no means a dud in the master key filmmaker ’s filmography . It was released in 1985 and was one of his few releases to debut in color . Ranwent on to put many war and action movies to shame ; even by modern standards , its tempo , storytelling , cinematography , and production value all occultation most big - budget production in the twenty - first century .
Ranis basically Kurosawa ’s take on Shakespeare’sKing Lear . It regard a fail feudalistic lord who aim his kingdom to ruin . This make his sons to wage war among one another in a conflict for dominance and heritage as their sire observe them helplessly atop his burning castle .
The Hidden Fortress (1958) – 97%
Another hidden jewel from Kurosawa that has had strong effect on Hollywood would beThe Hidden Fortressfrom 1958 . George Lucas , creator ofStar Wars , stated himself state that he " copied " some of Kurosawa ’s moving picture trope and shots when making the originalStar Warssequel trilogy . Case in point is R2 - D2 and C-3PO ’s other segment inEpisode IV , a formula borrow fromThe obscure Fortress’two protagonists .
Both of them were two soldiers fly from war and an invading regular army until they bumble upon a hidden amber bar whereupon the atmosphere changes from savagery to humor . The Hidden Fortressis worth catch alone for how it exalt some of theStar Warsoriginal trilogy ’s scenes .
Throne of Blood (1957) – 98%
go away it to famed conductor Akira Kurosawa to bend a samurai epic into an arthouse Japanese chef-d’oeuvre . 1957’sThrone of Bloodwas his second - highest - value film accord to Rotten Tomatoes . LikeRan , Throne of Bloodwas Kurosawa ’s take on another Shakespeare classic , this time adapting the epicMacbeth .
It also features Toshiro Mifune , perhaps Kurosawa ’s favorite actor — as the protagonist . He and his closest friend were face by a spirit who predicts that both of them will eventually put back their feudal lords . The two then set out to fulfill the spirit ’s prophecies only for them to become power - hungry and corrupt until they eventually ego - destruct .
The Twilight Samurai (2002) – 99%
Released in 2002 , Yoji Yamada’sThe Twilight Samuraiwas a standard for turning - of - the - millennium filmmaking and dish up as something of an introverted comment of the musical style as a whole . The film ’s agonist , Iguchi Seibi , is fundamentally a retired samurai living in the final years of Japan ’s feudalistic earned run average . Though he ’s at peace with his life , he ’s storm to take up his sword once again for a final adventure .
In 2002 , the samurai picture show genre had fallen from favor , peculiarly in the mind of westerly audience , butThe Twilight Samuraiproved that , though senior , there was still plenty to explore within its confines .
