Samurai Spy (1965)

 
Sneaky!

Genre: Period Samurai Action Drama Mystery (Japan)

Starring: Koji Takahashi (Godzilla vs. Biollante), Tetsuro Tampba (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs • Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky)

Directed By: Masahiro Shinoda (Double Suicide)

Overview: Samurai Sasuke, while on the search for a spy named Nojiri, learns that others, namely the dangerous and mysterious Sakon, are also on the same quest. Surrounded by double-speak and double-cross, Sasuke attempts to get to the bottom of Nojiri's myseriuous plan.

Swords really, really aren't safe

In the vein of the best 60s samurai films has to offer, the visual spectacle is incredible. The composition, the rigid structure, the chiaroscuro of it all, it's gorgeous.

What I've gathered about this film is that the intention was to make something 'less action and more intrigue', filled with mystery and double-cross. What the plot ended up being, therefore, is exactly what was intended: Labyrinthine. It wouldn't be so bad if the names weren't almost identical to one another.  Between Kobayashi, Kirigakure, Koriyama, and Koremura? Please. Good luck.

Fans of the Samurai genre will appreciate what Criterion did with the print, rich in vibrancy. I understand also that there's a special feature on the DVD which is a dumbed down explanation of the plot. I personally never watched, it, preferring to get back to Kurosawa's works.

 
um, you got a little... ketchup, no, it's... the other side there.

Performance: 8 Cinematography: 9 Script: 4 Plot: 4 Mood: 7

Overall Rating: 64% (More Samurai, Less Spy, Please)

Aftertaste:

The combat scenes, the ninjas skulking around, the era, this is what heightens the atmosphere, otherwise I wouldn't have recommended it to even die-hard fans of the genre. It's still enticing enough for us, but if someone tells you "I'd like to see my first Samurai film," don't make it this one.