OKITA SOJI - THE LAST SWORDSMAN
Starring: Masao Kusakari
Directed By : DEME MASANOBU
This is the story of Okita Soshi, one of the finest swordsmen in the Shinsengumi group, captain of the first troop and a very popular figure in history. From his early days and his lifelong friendship with Hijikata Toshizo, through the rise and fall of the Shinsengumi as they protect the Shogunate from the Choshu rebels.
This is a deeply personal tale of the young master swordsman as he fights to survive in a world without pity. The merciless era of the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate is the backdrop as we see a true hero of Japan emerge.
Director DEME MASANOBU crafts yet another adaptation of SHIBA'S KEPPUROKU Novel as a vehicle for pop singer KUSAKARI MASAO, but this is a worthy adaptation, as with the MIFUNE film it suffers slightly by trying to cram too much history into its short running time but on the whole its still a great film.
1974 Color Widscreen 93 Min.
Japanese with English subtitles
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