Bushido: The Cruel Code Of The Samurai

This film seems to be a bit of a lost classic in the samurai genre, maybe because it challenges the genre so strongly. A beautifully shot black and white film, wonderfully written with a hard message for the modern Japan (well the modern Japan of the early 1960s). Touching on the cruelty, the mindlessness and the suffering caused by Bushido, it has a message for all of us about blind belief in what those in power do and say. It touches on themes that surprised me - I won't spoil it for you, just watch it and be surprised by what is presented in this film of almost 50 years vintage. A great experience and highly recommended for those who want to go beyond the standard samurai film (I love those too!).

A story of the samurai serving over several generations, and the countless and unjust demands on their code of honour, this movie will make you angry - angry at the code that says death for the master is an honour, and angry that so many generations of the family had put up with this and still did not revolt. At the same time, it is a story of the Everyman of today, the samurai who toil in the offices of large corporations that make equally unjust demands on its workers. The masters have changed, but the demands have not. For someone who spends most of his moviegoing time enjoying widescreen, colour and surround sound, this simple black and white movie was a bit difficult to enjoy at first. But with the great storytelling and acting, I was drawn quickly into the plot and soon forgot its technical limitations. Surely this underlines the fact that a great story well-told and well-acted is what makes a movie great. I am glad I bought his DVD.

I remembered this movie when I was younger. Liked B & W films because they reminded me of "the old days". They don't make movies like this anymore. Love Kinnosuke Nakamura. Miss him, too.

good movie.

This movie is cruel and sadist in its story and I just can't fathom why any normal person would enjoy viewing it... :-(

I am a great fan of Samurai films, and have a large collection which I have added to for many years. I found this film inferior, and totally unsupportive of the glowing reviews accompanying it.

The antidote for those who romanticize Samurai culture, but a fine film in its own right. Brilliantly shot, scripted, and acted.

this film is very beautiful and well put together. It offers a different point of view then most Samurai films, and shows the sacrifice the samurai make. It alao shows the most horrible realities about about living your life for your master, regardless of what your masters wishes might be. This is a rough reality and in fact, I imagine most Samurai lived like this, rather then what we have been shown in more popular and action packed Samurai films.

This is one of the best anti-samurai films I've seen. Throughout, the film concentrates on the obsessive loyalty the samurai showed their Lord embodied in their codified rules. This film throughout shows how cruel and unjust this way of life could be which very few samurai films do ( except: Seppuku, Samurai Rebellion, and to some extent Seven Samurai). The acting and story is first rate. Do not expect to finish watching this film with a sense of enjoyment, it will leave you confused and challenge your world view of samurai culture. Why these people gave their absolute loyalty to people who clearly didn't deserve it, or why they didn't attempt to assassinate them is not answered. The film uses the examples of abuse of power and a persons willingness to obey arthority figures and compares it with modern hierarchial relationships. This is a don't miss film on a par with Seppuku.