Watch The 47 Ronin For Free

Too much of everything

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The 47 Ronin (aka) The Loyal 47 Ronin of the Genroku Era (1941)If you're at all familiar with the Samurai genre, you have no doubt heard of the legend of the 47 ronin. This was an actual Japanese historic event that everyone in Japan knows about. This was reenacted in 1962 (47 Samurai) 1994 (47 Ronin) and just recently in 2013 with Keanu Reeves.If you haven't heard the story, Lord Naganori Asano (Yoshizaburo Arashi) is scolded by Lord Yoshinaka Kira, the Shogun's Chief of Protocol, and in a fit of anger, draws his sword and attacks Lord Kira in a wing of the Shogun's palace. Lord Asano is immediately ordered to commit harakiri and all of his property and possessions are confiscated. The injured Lord Kira (who is related to the Shogun) is not punished at all. Lord Asano's Senior Counselor, Kuranosuke Oishi (Chojuro Kawarasaki) is helping with the tally of the possessions of Ako castle. The now masterless Samurai are biting at the bit to take immediate vengeance on Lord Kira, but Oishi asks them to be patient and has been petitioning the Shogun to offer equal justice. Vengeance would be coming later when the safety of Lord Asano's wife would be guaranteed and finally an honorable death. This particular film was made in 1941, so you know this was meant to encourage patriotic fervor, very similar to the propaganda war movies here in the United States. In fact, at the beginning each of the two part movies, there is the sentence, "Defend the homes of those who fight for a greater Asia." You would almost expect the film to have been destroyed by the American occupation censors. Perhaps they couldn't get past the four and a quarter butt-numbing hours of the film's length.One thing that is missing from this film that we would normally expect from a samurai film is that there is no blood or any show of swordsmanship skills at all. It's strictly a historic costume drama.

In 1701, Lord Takuminokami Asano (Yoshizaburo Arashi) has a feud with Lord Kira and he tries to kill Kira in the corridors of the Shogun's palace. The Shogun sentences Lord Asano to commit suppuku and deprives the palace and lands from his clan, but does not punish Lod Kira. Lord Asano's vassals leave the land and his samurais become ronin and want to seek revenge against the dishonor of their Lord. But their leader Kuranosuke Oishi (Chôjûrô Kawarasaki) asks the Shogun to restore the Asano clan with his brother Daigaku Asano. One year later, the Shogun refuses his request and Oishi and forty-six ronin revenge their Lord."Genroku Chûshingura" is a Japanese classic movie based on a true story. Kenji Mizoguchi made a too long movie with four hours running time that is actually a slow-paced immersion in an ancient and different culture and code of honor. Unfortunately this beautiful movie is only for very specific Western audiences since it is in Japanese language, shows a different culture, most of the characters are alike (clothing, haircut, biotype) and unusual names that you need to keep in mind. But the movie is worthwhile watching and delights fans of this genre. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "A Vingança dos 47 Ronins" ("The Revenge of the 47 Ronin")

I was profoundly disappointed in this film. It is 3 hour and 40+ minutes long and not much of anything happens in it. People just sit on the floor in various rooms and say things like what are we going to do, what does so and so think, I'm not sure, maybe we should ask someone else, I don't know, do you know, I'm so confused, etc. This goes on ad nauseum literally for hours.Kenji Mizoguchi was a 1st class director who made such classics as Sansho he Bailiff and Tales of Ugetsu. Don't don't blame him for this one - he was supposedly commissioned by the Japanese government to make this.

"The 47 Ronin" is a pathetic account of a real japanese event, that took place around 1780. 47 Samurai warriors were forced to commit Seppuku, ( ritual suicide by perforating your own stomach ) after they avenge their master's humiliation and eventual death.While watching the film, you are compelled to cry and pray for the admirable bravery, loyalty and humility of the Ronin (Masterless Warriors). Who besides their war skills, are profound philosophers and compassionate men.The most inspiring film in my life.