SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES
aka I WANT TO DIE A SAMURAI
Directed by Kenji Misumi
Starring: Ichikawa Raizo, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Shiho Fujimura, Katsuhiko Kobayashi, Shigero Amachi, & Kinshirou Matsumoto
This is the story of the controversial Shinsengumi Group at the end of the feudal age, whose history provides one of the most often filmed themes in chambara. This film is based on a story written by Shimazawa Kan (creator of Zato Ichi), which he researched by interviewing surviving family members of the Shinsengumi, the Para-military police force made up of ronin under the leadership of Kondo Isami.
The central character, was a spy for the organization Yamazaki Susumu, and it gives a realistic view of this infamous group who many credit with saving the Emperors life during the incident at Ikedaya in Kyoto. While it was not written with Ichikawa Raizo in mind, after seeing the script, Raizo cancelled the movie he was doing, and took over the lead. He insisted that there be no changes in the script to enlarge his role in the film. He felt that it was such a fine work he wanted to be part of it.
1963 Colour, Widescreen
Re-Mastered Print
Japanese language with Removable English subtitles.
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