Review of Rebellion (1967)
A young woman named Ichi is forced to become the new wife of a feudal lord. After she bears him a son, he introduces her to his new mistress. Ichi revolts and is sent away, forced to marry again, this time to be contained in the household of a vassal. Unexpectedly, the vassal’s son makes a good husband. When the lord’s heir apparent dies however, Ichi’s son becomes his new heir. Therefore, Ichi is forced back to the lord she hates; the mother of the heir must not be absent. The vassal family (especially Ichi’s husband, who loves her, and his recently retired father, who is inspired by the beauty of their love) considers rebelling against their lord, but the year is 1727. The Tokugawa shougunate is at the peak of its unquestionable authority.
Progressive samurai drama, with more of a family/feminist orientation than its predecessor, Harakiri (1962).
The mandatory great swordsman actually has time to retire and become a senior citizen before the fighting starts. That’s a lot of buildup, even more than Kōchiyama Sōshun (1936). Excellent compositions and sweet, sweet, crazy Nakadai.