EPIC CHUSHINGURA - 1971 TV Drama Volume 1-2
Episode 1: The Crises Surrounding Ako Castle
Episode 2: A Swirling Dark Mist
Episode 3: Noble Samurai Spirit
Episode 4: Unbearable Days
Starring: MIFUNE Toshiro
Directed by: DOI Michiyoshi
EPIC CHUSHINGURA (Daichushingura) is a television dramatization of the events of the 47 Ronin. The first episode aired on January 5, 1971, and the 52nd and final episode appeared on December 28 of the same year. The NET network broadcast it in the Tuesday evening 9:00–9:56 prime-time slot in Japan.
The series featured an all-star cast. The central actor was MIFUNE Toshiro, who portrayed Oishi Kuranosuke; with TSUKASA Yoko as his wife Riku; ONOE Kikunosuke as Asano Takumi-no-kami. ICHIKAWA Chusha VIII took the part of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka, but died after the filming of episode 47; his brother Kodayu replaced him. The co-lead in the production (and Oishi's main adversary) Uesugi clan's chief councilor Chisaka Hyobu was played by the great TANBA Tetsuro.
Among the ronin and their allies were WATARI Tetsuya as Horibe Yasubei, TAMURA Masakazu as teenage Yato Emonshichi, and Frankie SAKAI as Akabane Genzo. WAKABAYASHI Go and SAKAGAMI Jiro also appeared in the series. Many actors appeared as guest stars in only a few episodes. Among them were many known to audiences outside of Japan. These included: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke as Wakisaka Awaiji-no-kami, SHIMURA Takashi, and superstar KATSU Shintaro.
Music was composed by the brilliant TOMITA Isao, and the swordfighting scenes were handled by KUZE Ryu, who had most notably done the same for KUROSAWA Akira's Yojimbo and Sanjuro. Every moment of this dynamic series is filled with gripping drama, which then explodes into exciting action. The production values in this series are clearly of motion picture level.
Episodes 1-2 introduce the main characters and sets the stage for the events to come, with the initial reason for Kira's hatred of Asano shown in a new light as things progress towards the fateful incident at Edo castle. The year 1701 started off with a total eclipse of the sun in Japan. A frightful and ominous beginning, to say the least...
Episodes 3-4 show the trials and tribulations that Lord Asano and the Ako clan must endure as Lord Kira unleashes his anger and frustration on the young daimyo who has no idea why the highly ranked elder seems to favor Lord Date at Asano's expense. Meanwhile former clan member Fuwa Kazuemon keeps up the investigation that Oishi Kuranosuke sent him on to find out who is behind the attempt to steal the clan's secret method of salt preparation. At the same time in Edo the lord himself is suffering from Kira's abuse, and hopes to avoid making a serious blunder in preparations for the visit by the emperor's messengers.
Remastered Print
1971 Color Fullscreen 186 Mins. 4 Episodes, 2 Disc Set
Japanese with English subtitles
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