The Last Ronin
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From AsianMediaWiki
User Rating
Current user rating: 95/100 (23 votes)
Profile
- Movie: The Last Ronin
- Romaji: Saigo no Chushingura
- Japanese: 最後の忠臣蔵
- Director: Shigemichi Sugita
- Writer: Shoichiro Ikemiya (novel)
- Producer:
- Cinematographer: Mutsuo Naganuma
- Release Date: December 18, 2010
- Runtime: 133 min.
- Production Company: Warner Bros., Kadokawa Pictures
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
- Language: Japanese
- Country: Japan
Plot
16 years after the fateful "revenge of the Forty-seven Ronin," involving samurais from the Ako domain who avenged their leader and then commited seppuku (ritual suicide), the sole survivor of that incident, Kichiemon Terasaka (Koichi Sato) traverses the country on a mission. His purpose is to find the families of the fallen samurais and spread the truth of the ronin uprising.
On his way to attend the 17th Buddhist ceremony for the 47 Ronins in Kyoto at Choho Shindo's (Masato Ibu) mansion, Kichiemon unexpectedly comes across his close & long time friend Magozaemon Senoo (Koji Yakusho) - who ran away the day before the ronin uprising. Prior to his disappearance, Magozaemon had lost his wife and had no children. His only purpose at the time was to serve Kuranosuke Oishi (Nizaemon Kataoka) and he swore to die for him if necessary. Why Magozaemon disappeared is a mystery Kichiemon still doesn't know the answer too.
After his disappearance, Magozaemon changed his name and hid from the world. Magozaemon gave up his position as a samurair He became a merchant who trades antiques. He lives in a remote house, hidden in a deep bamboo grove, with a beautiful girl named Kane (Nanami Sakuraba). Yu (Narumi Yasuda), who lives near Magozaemon's home, knew about them for the past 16 years. Yu adores Kane, who had no mother, and taught her etiquette, as well as reading and writing. Yu used to be the most popular courtesan in the famous Shimabara district of Kyoto. Yu eventually became a concubine of merchant Jiro Chayashiro (Yoshi Oida), who works a fabric dealer, and gained the favor of the Japan's feudal government. Now, Yu lives a quiet life.
Meanwhile in Kyoto, a puppet show takes place which brings unexpected good fortune for Kane. The sole successor of the Chaya family, Shuichiro (Koji Yamamoto), comes to watch the performance and falls in love with Kane at first sight. Shuichiro doesn't know who Kane is so he asks Magozaemon to find Kane by using his position as a merchant ...
Notes
- "The Last Ronin" is adapted from Shoichiro Ikemiya's 1994 novel "Saigo no Chushingura" which is a fictionalized account of the true story of the 47 Ronins that took place in the early 18th century.
- "The Last Ronin" will mark Warner Bros. Japan's first Japanese language picture.
- Filming began Nov. 11th in Kyoto, Japan.
- Nanami Sakuraba has been cast as one of the principle characters in "The Last Ronin". She will play Kane, secret daughter of Seo Magojaemon (Koji Yakusho) & love interest of wealthy Chaya Shuichiro (Koji Yamamoto).
Cast
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| Koji Yakusho | Koichi Sato | Nanami Sakuraba | Koji Yamamoto | Jun Fubuki |
| Magozaemon Senoo | Kichiemon Terasaka | Kane | Shuichiro | Kiwa |
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| Kunie Tanaka | Masato Ibu | Yoshi Oida | Narumi Yasuda | Nizaemon Kataoka |
| Shogen Okuno | Choho Shindo | Jiro Chayashiro | Yu | Kuranosuke Oishi |
Additional Cast Members:
Trailer
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Film Festivals
- 2011 (6th) Osaka Asian Film Festival - March 5-13, 2011 - Osaka Cinema Festival 2011
- 2011 (14th) Shanghai International Film Festival - June 11-19, 2011 - Panorama - Global Village: Japanese Film Week
- 2011 (5th) JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema - July 7-22, 2011 *East Coast Premiere
- 2011 (15th) Fantasia Film Festival - July 14-August 7, 2011 *Montreal Premiere
- 2011 (31st) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 13-23, 2011 - Gala Presentations
H K Sac Says:
Dec 18 2011 12:42 am
Terrific movie. I'm very glad it was shown on ATT uverse's TV Japan with subtitles, since most of their movies are not subtitled. This moving story follows the life of the two surviving samurai after the mass seppuku at the conclusion of Chushingura. It is an incredible affirmation of loyalty and love.
Carol Kumataka Says:
Oct 23 2011 7:03 pm
Where can I buy this movie with English Subtitle?
GreenAsJade Says:
Sep 11 2011 5:55 am
I too am looking for a DVD with english subtitles. The airlines are carrying the movie with Engilish subtitles, so it must be possible??
seeker Says:
Aug 14 2011 5:04 pm
where can i buy the DVD with english subtitles???
Mohan Nair Says:
Apr 23 2011 7:46 am
An incredible movie that captured the essence of the era in which real heroes lived and walked this earth. The actors brought this movie to a whole new level with their emotions and feelings. I was pleasantly surprised and watched the movie expecting an ending that was tragic only to be surprised in the end. Definitely a must watch, an epic and entertaining movie for anyone interested in the lives of true heroes!