The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Original title

たそがれ清兵衛

Directed by

Yōji Yamada

Genre

drama film

Country

Japan

Runtime

2h 09m

Rated

15

Rating

7.8 of 10 from 360 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

In 19th century Japan, a low-ranking samurai struggles to provide for his two daughters and elderly mother while working a dull clerical job. He finds his peaceful life disrupted when he is forced to take up his sword again due to events beyond his control.

quietmelancholicpoignantslow-pacedgentleearthyreflectivesubdued

What happens

The Twilight Samurai (たそがれ清兵衛, Tasogare Seibei; lit. "Twilight Seibei") is a 2002 Japanese historical drama film co-written and directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa. Set in mid-19th century Japan, a few years before the Meiji Restoration, it follows the life of Seibei Iguchi, an impoverished, low-ranking samurai trapped in a lowly bureaucratic post. Poor, but not destitute, he still manages to lead a content and happy life with his daughters and his mother, who has dementia. Through an unfortunate turn of events, the turbulent times conspire against him. The film was inspired by the short story "The Bamboo Sword" by Shuhei Fujisawa. The Twilight Samurai won an unprecedented 12 Japanese Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. The Twilight Samurai was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 76th Academy Awards. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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