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Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
Thieves broke into Yamashiroya, a drug wholesaler, and stole 780 ryo. In the storehouse, there was a sticker with a picture of an umbrella, the signature of Yahei Kasayama, a great thief who once ransacked the entire Kanto region. Heizo Hasegawa (Kichiemon Nakamura), the director of the reform of the thieves, learns that the theft was the work of Yahei's son Yataro (Somegoro Ichikawa [now Koshiro Matsumoto]) and his gang, thanks to the help of a spy named Isaji (Koichi Miura). He learns that Yataro is in the process of marrying Oito (Tomoka Kurokawa), the daughter of Shigezo of Narumi, a great thief from Owari. Heizo learns the true identity of the thread and the evil plans of the second generation Narumi Shigezo (Fuse Hiroshi), and he meets Nagashima no Kugoro (Matsudaira Ken), a former thief who is trying to arrange a marriage deal to return the favor to the previous generation Kasayama and the previous generation Narumi. ) while hiding his identity...
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Plot Summary
In the Edo period, a notorious bandit leader known as 'Onihei' leads a double life. While feared for his ruthlessness in the criminal underworld, he grapples with his past and family obligations, especially when his daughter's arranged marriage threatens to expose his secrets. The story follows Onihei as he navigates the treacherous landscape of samurai politics and Yakuza rivalries to protect his loved ones and maintain his precarious position.
Critical Reception
The film received a mixed to positive reception, praised for its historical setting and action sequences, but some critics found the plot convoluted. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the blend of traditional Japanese drama with intense action.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its atmospheric Edo-period setting and intense, well-choreographed fight scenes.
Some critics noted a convoluted plot that occasionally detracted from the central narrative.
The performances, particularly of the lead actor, were highlighted as a strong point.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific film is not widely available.
Fun Fact
The film is based on a popular series of novels by Shōtarō Ikenami, which have been adapted into multiple live-action and anime series over the years.
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