Zakurozaka no adauchi

Viewed at CineMatsuri 2016. Director Setsurô Wakamatsu delivers high drama (without resorting to melodrama) set at the dawn of the Meiji Restoration (a time of radical/rapid cultural change that abolished feudalism and eliminated employment opportunities for the samurai solders who had enforced this fragmented form of autocratic government). Refreshingly, Wakamatsu does not rely on sword-swinging stunt actors and high body counts to support his film (there is a story-driven modicum of action confined to the opening scenes), but, instead, employs veteran acting talent to carry the tale forward. This is essentially a two-character photo play with excellent performances delivered by Kiichi Nakai and Hiroshi Abe. They are skillful actors who capture and unrelentingly hold the viewer's attention for almost two hours without resorting to the crutches of CGI and set-piece spectacles. The hallmark of truly great acting! Unlike what has (unfortunately) become traditional movie samurai-speak (i.e., mumbling/muttering), lines are clearly enunciated as if on the live stage. Wakamatsu also provides a very suspenseful ending. Actually, two of them! Cinematography (semi-wide screen, color), lighting, set decoration, and sound are very good. Subtitles are fine. Snow effects are especially well done. There is one major continuity glitch which occurs in the closing scenes: two swords suddenly appear side-by-side on the ground after one has been sheathed in the previous scene. Since the Director seems to be making a symbolic point, the sheathing scene would seem well worth re-shooting (or cutting). Highly recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

Master swordsman Shimura Kingo is charged with protecting the Shogun's chief minister, and fails. Forbidden from taking his own life, he is instead commanded to track down and kill the assassins. Only then will he be permitted an honourable death.

Events conspire against the quest. One by one, the assassins die before he can reach them, each time to the increasing frustration of Kingo and his lord. Worse, the times are changing rapidly. The Meiji Restoration makes swordsmen an embarrassing irrelevance.

Only one assassin remains at large. Even after the death of his lord, Kingo presses on.

Snow On The Blades is beautifully filmed and is a continuous joy to behold. The costumes and scenery are fantastic. The acting is on key and convincing, and the fight scenes superb.

SOTB does go on for a bit too long and drags a little along the way. The two male leads are simply marvellous and superbly well-matched, while the lovely Ryoko Hirosue provides stoic support as Kingo's true samurai wife.

Highly recommended.