Revenge

This rather bleak and tragic tale of Samurai revenge is a lacerating attack on the absurdity and hypocrisy of feudal Japan (the story is set in 1722). Directed by Tadashi Imai and with a script by Shinobu Hashimoto, REVENGE (1964) leads us into the complex and occasionally confusing world of code and honour among various Samurai clans. Available worldwide on Blu-ray for the first time, the 2K restored film offers a fascinating insight into a culture in which rank plays as much a part as sanity.

When Shinpachi (Kinnosuke Nakamura), a low-ranking Samurai belonging to the Ezaki clan, annoys the higher ranking Magodayu of the Okuno clan over a comment relating to a smudged spear, the situation soon spirals out of control after Magodayu – incensed over the fact that a Samurai of lower rank dares to criticise him – orders an official apology from Shinpachi, something he cannot and will not do seeing how he holds a grudge against Magodayu due to his considerably more prestigious rank (which in fact goes for the entire Okuno clan). In order to restore Samurai honour. Magodayu challenges Shinpachi to a duel. At first, various other Samurais and elders try to talk the two hotheads out of the planned duel, arguing that a member of the Okuno clan should not lower himself by entering into a duel with someone of lower rank… but the damage is done and thus the duel takes place illegally and in a secret place… with Shinpachi killing his opponent.

In order to avoid further problems, not to mention the damage this illegal duel would cause to both the Ezaki and the Okuno families (since private duels are forbidden as per custom), the authorities declare both men insane. What’s more, Shinpachi is temporarily exiled and hides in a remote Buddhist temple somewhere in the mountains. He hopes that one day he might be able to return and marry Michi (Ai Sasaki), the woman he loves. Michi’s father, however, refuses to give his blessing on grounds that his daughter should not marry someone whose reputation is tarnished and who hails from lower rank. Worse is to come because after Magodayu’s death, his brother Shumi (Tetsuro Tamba) now becomes leader of the Okuna clan and swears to restore the clan’s honour by tracking down Shinpachi and killing him for having slain Magadayu… But once again, Shinpachi turns out to be the better figher and the Okuna clan has another leader to mourn. As per tradition, Shumi’s brother Tatsunosuke now takes on the role of clan leader and announces a public duel between him and Shinpachi, while Jubei (Takahiro Tamura), the brother of Shinpachi who is now in charge of the Ezaki clan, makes his way to the monastery where he tries to persuade Shinpachi to accept Tatsunosuke’s challenge and die the death of an honourable Samurai – although later on he suggests that he should simply just flee. What both Shinpachi and Jubei don’t as yet know is that the apparent duel is a set up and Tatsunosuke is not the only one fighting the disgraced Samurai…

The ‘duel’ is blood-drenched and intense and although it eventually dawns on Shinpachi that he is marked for death no matter what, he fights against the odds and like a madman in a climax which is worthy of a Shakespearean drama. Kinnosuke Nakamura gives an intense performance as the increasingly crazed Samurai, with his deranged facial expressions ranging between anger and fear – all the while intensified by Toshiro Mayuzumi’s feverish score, which in parts reminds one of the Third Ear Band. Shunichior Nakao’s exquisite cinematography perfectly captures the frenzied atmosphere!
The first 2000 copies of REVENGE (original title: ADAUCHI) will be presented in Limited Edition O-card slipcase. Bonus features include newly translated English subtitles (which aren’t always easy to make out against the b/w imagery it must be said), a brand-new interview with Tony Rayns, brand new video piece by Jasper Sharp and Collector’s booklet.