What It’s About
In twelfth-century feudal Japan, samurai Morito (Hasegawa) helps quell a rebellion against the established rulers, partly by using the noble and beautiful Lady Kesa (Kyo) as a decoy. When asked to name his reward, Morito picks the good lady. When informed Kesa is already married to Lord Wataru (Yamagata), Morito is undeterred in his pursuit of her, to everyone’s shock. This can’t end well!
Why We Love It
Kinugasa’s juicy, riveting tale of romantic obsession stands as one of the most gorgeous color films ever made, winning the Grand Prize at Cannes, along with Oscars for best foreign film and its inspired, eye-popping costume design. Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, the film moves fast, but even with a samurai character at the center of the action, there’s not much bloodshed. This vivid portrait of a proud, determined warrior whose all-consuming desire for a woman threatens to destroy him is a must-see classic.