#596: GOSHA, Hideo: Three Outlaw Samurai (1964)

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GOSHA, Hideo (Japan)
Three Outlaw Samurai [1964]
Spine #596
Blu-ray


This first feature by the legendary Hideo Gosha is among the most beloved chanbara (swordfighting) films. An origin-story offshoot of a Japanese television phenomenon of the same name, Three Outlaw Samurai is a classic in its own right. A wandering, seen-it-all ronin (Tesuro Tamba) becomes entangled in the dangerous business of two other samurai (Isamu Nagato and Mikijiro Hira), hired to execute a band of peasants who have kidnapped the daughter of a corrupt magistrate. With remarkable storytelling economy and thrilling action scenes, this is an expertly mounted tale of revenge and loyalty.

93 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Japanese
2:35:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2012
Director/Writer


Screenplay by Keiichi Abe, Eizaburo Shiba, and Hideo Gosha.
Gosha was 35 when he directed Three Outlaw Samurai.

Other films by Gosha in the Collection:

The Film

This is a thrilling samurai adventure. Tetsurô Tamba, Isamu Nagato and Mikijirô Hira are the three samurai. The plot is complex, and much is revealed in repeated viewings. Gosha's debut is self-assured, beautifully photographed and a fun adventure film. A morality play is hidden amongst the chanbara!

Film Rating (0-60):

54

The Extras

The Booklet
Twelve-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri. That and the trailer is all you get here. Pretty skimpy for a Spine # in the 500s ...

Commentary

None.

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

34

54 + 34 =

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