Kakushi ken: Oni no tsume

While this movie is set in a samurai period, it's definitely not all sword fights and battle. In fact, there is little to none (sorry all you samurai-anime fans!). But if you would like to get a very good insight into the ideals of Japanese romance and love, I recommend this. It may move slow for people who aren't too in to romance in general, but both men and women can enjoy the relationship that unfolds between the two main characters, with the political sub-plot and climatic fight scene blending in perfectly, and not overrunning the love story. I would also like to add that while younger audiences can enjoy this movie, the fight scene is a bit gory...

I've always enjoyed Asian movies as they seem to deal with emotional issues far better than we do in the West. This film is a great illustration of this, set in 19th Century Japan centring on a samurai called Katagiri with a strand of tales which cover restricted love, friendship, honour and killing.

Duty and culture are the main issues for Katagari as he battles with them whilst they forbid him to live a happier life. The film though never treats these issues heavily but rather takes you on a journey for the viewer to understand the world they live in before making a rounded judgement. The beautiful rural setting for this film adds to the atmosphere, whilst the acting is understated but delightful befitting the reticent culture the main characters live within.

Regardless of the title, there is actually no real battling at all until the end, and even then it is carefully controlled so as not to make this appeal to fans of sword fighting movies. If anything, the battle is only there as a side on to the rest of the movie whose themes are far more important.

Overall, I would recommend this to everyone it is beautiful, interesting and a diversion from the usual fair we all watch on film and TV. You are unlikely to watch many other films as beautifully done as this one all year.

I had to see this movie because I am a huge fan of director Yoji Yamada. The man puts out amazing films!!! For example, his previous film, Twilight Samurai, was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2003 Academy Awards, and it was awesome!! I don't know if Hidden Blade is as great as Twilight, but on its own it still is a great movie, and should be seen by anyone who likes epic films! Here's what it's about: There is this samurai (honest and low ranking) who is trapped in a state of both personal and professional imbalance. For example, he is secretly in love with his family's maid, and despite the fact that he knows the relationship is impossible, he begins an uneasy courtship with the woman. Then there are his professional issues. He has always been raised to respect the traditions from the past, but suddenly, circumstances have forced him to master a new art; the western art of artillery. Can you imagine? A samurai from the East trained to master the arts of the West? Awesome! And then, to top it all off, he is ordered to find and kill a former friend, who he knows is so dangerous that his skills with both the sword and the gun will not be enough. So, he enlists the help of his old teacher, who entrusts him with --- the secret of The Hidden Blade. Great acting, great story, great movie!!! A must see in my book!

Fans of the common chambara (swordfigfht) film will be disappointed - this is not an action film. Tartan films is making a mistake by loading its marketing of this film in America with hints that it might be. In fact, this film probably could better distributed by Criterion, since it is the equal of any of the Japanese dramas it handles.

This is a real throwback to the grand tradition of Japanese film - Ozu, Kurosawa, Mizoguchi. Flawless cinematography, almost painful care for detail, strong back story, meditative commentary on political history, and a passionate cross-caste romance, much as that captured in the "Samurai" trilogy. Sensitive acting and elegant direction. a romantic soundtrack that never becomes overbearing. Really a film for the ages.

This is the film most people should be watching instead of the Tom Cruise farce "The Last Samurai". Indeed, sympathetic viewing of this film will at least make clear why many of us were outraged at the Cruise film - this has all the thoughtful reflection on the social tensions of that era that "The Last Samurai" lacked.

A fascinating demonstration that the Japanese well know their own history and need no reminders from Hollywood - and can depict that history with a sweep and vision easily as grand and as beautiful as anything Hollywood can produce.

I was watching this film in plane while returning from Japan. I noticed there is Yoji Yamadas' latest film showing, so naturally I went off watching it. The film has very beautiful sceneries and the music and atmosphere is really nice. The camera-work is usual style of Yoji Yamada. It hides more than shows. Acting is good, especially Masatoshi Nagase (Stereo Future) acts surprisingly well as a strong minded, modest samurai. I was personally surprised the choice of Takako Matsu. But since she has proved herself in her earlier films such as Shigatsu Monogatari, I knew to expect a good result from her. The plot follows pretty much the same line with Tasogare Seibei and it doesn't offer much surprise. Yet, I rate this movie 9, since it has the wonderful style of Yoji Yamada. It is a great samurai movie, and Masatoshi Nagase fans will not be disappointed.