47 Ronin
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi. Plot Summary: From ancient…
13 Assassins
Cult director Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition) delivers a bravado period action film set…
Kagemusha
Another film about the late 16th century and Lord Shingen of the Takeda clan, this…
Samurai Banners
Starring Toshiro Mifune and made for his production company, this film is about a samurai…
Lady Snowblood
Adapted from a manga comic by Kasuo Koike who also wrote Lone Wolf and Cub…
New Tales of the Taira Clan:
Directed by one of Japan's eminent directors, Kenji Mizoguchi, The film is set in the…
Yakuza
One of those films Tarantino was inspired by, Robert Mitchum stars in this american film…
Kill Bill 1 and 2
Quentin Tarantino's homage to Yakuza, Samurai and Hong Kong Kung Fu films. Released in 2…
Chushingura
Meaning "Loyalty" is a film about the 47 Ronin, stars include actors Toshiro Mifune and…
Rashomon
Another Kurosawa film, this time from 1950. Widely regarded, it looks at the nature of…
Throne of Blood
Akira Kurosawa classic once again adapted from William Shakespeare but mixed with elements of Japanese…
Samurai Fiction
Samurai meets MTV. Directed by Hiroyuki Nakano and starring Japanese rock star Tomoyasu Hotei. This…
Ran
Kurosawa's last samurai film, based on Shakespeare's 'King Lear'. Star's Tatsuya Nakadai as Lord Hidetora…
Samurai I, II , III
Trilogy of films starring Toshiro Mifune and directed by Hiroshi Inagaki. The films are based…
The Last Samurai
Meiji era Hollywood Samurai film. Nominated for 4 Oscars and winning the Japanese Academy award…
Yojimbo
Kurosawa classic from 1962. Again this film inspired by westerns, itself inspired the man with…
Seven Samurai
Akira Kurosawa classic from 1956 that inspired 'The Magnificent Seven'. Released on Criterion Collection in…
Zatoichi
remake by Kitano "Beat" Takeshi. Entertaining film with good sword fighting, plenty of (exagerated) blood…
Zatoichi
25 films released from 1962 to 1973 plus another in 1989 and a TV series…
Samurai Rebellion
Directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring Toshiro Mifune with Tatsuya Nakadai. Drama about a Samurai…
Goyokin
Starring Tatsuya Nakadai as a samurai haunted by the guilt of one massacre attempting to…
When the Last Sword is Drawn
A samurai goes to extraordinary lengths to provide for his family. Another film from…
The Hidden Blade
Also directed by Yoji Yamada and again a film about a low ranking samurai in…
The Twilight Samurai
As the feudal Japan era draws to a close, a widower samurai experiences difficulty balancing…
Karakiri
An elder ronin samurai arrives at a feudal lord's home and requests an honorable place…