An Edo Magistrate
An Edo Magistrate

Movie spotlight

An Edo Magistrate

1961
Movie
89 min
Japanese

When a former artisan is tricked into putting his sister up as collateral for a loan by a gangster boss in a crooked gambling casino it sets in motion the story of Ooka Echizen, the famed magistrate of Edo during the reign of Shogun Tsuneyoshi. In a world where humans bow down to dogs and are beheaded for harming them, it's a wonder people can survive at all. Nakamura Kinnosuke is a former samurai who has left the fold to live freely and must put his life on the line to save the girl he loves, and rescue her from the yakuza who duped her brother. When the truth comes out about his background, he is forced to take on the role of Edo Magistrate, a decision that brings him unimaginable heartache and danger!

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Tadashi SawashimaGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, History, Samurai

Plot Summary

In the Edo period, a dedicated magistrate is tasked with investigating a series of mysterious and brutal murders plaguing the city. As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power. He must confront corrupt officials and ruthless assassins while upholding justice and protecting the innocent.

Critical Reception

This historical samurai film is generally well-regarded for its action sequences and dramatic storyline, though it may not be as widely known internationally as some other samurai films from the era. It is appreciated by fans of Japanese cinema for its depiction of the Edo period and its engaging plot.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling narrative and historical setting.

  • Applauded for its well-choreographed action and samurai swordplay.

  • Noted for a solid performance by the lead actor.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented for this film on Google.

Fun Fact

The film is based on a popular novel by Shōtarō Ikenami, a celebrated author of samurai fiction.

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