There's no need to try to understand any of the plot. The plot is not the focus nor the point. Listen to the score, take in the chiaroscuro, and appreciate the hyper-reality of it all.

Interesting samurai film, a bit choppy but good.

Some very nicely laid up scenes here, but both script and acting falls a bit short at times.

Superb cinematography and score, mediocre characterization.

konu, icinde gecen bir ton isim yuzunden bazen kaciyor gibi olsa da toparlanilabiliyor. ihanet, politika, bitmeyen japon ic savaslari uzerine gercekci bir ajan-samuray-ninja filmi. yonetmeninin kamerasi epey stil sahibi. bazi sahneler one cikiyor.

Samurai, Ninja, Spies and Gratuitous Breast Shots -- what more can anyone ask for from mid-60's chambara? The story is very convoluted and the script very wordy, the direction: interesting. Worth a watch, but not Great.

Awesome ninja action from director Masahiro Shinoda. This flick introduces all the cool ninja conventions that were staples by the time the 80's came along and ninja flicks were being cranked out by the dozen. Reverse jumping, shuriken flurries, rope darts, it's all here and filmed with incredible style. The plot is a little convoluted and deals with samurai politics in the wake of the Battle of Sekigahara, but it doesn't really matter. This flick is more concerned with making ninjas look cool.

Early on, I gave up hope of following the plot too closely. In the first 10 minutes, you're pummelled with a dizzying barrage of names, factions, and locations. It doesn't get any better as the movie progresses, and indeed the final scene suddenly introduces a pivotal character out of nowhere who I couldn't recall having heard of before. The photography is wonderful, especially during the stylized action scenes, but sludging through the confusing narrative makes it difficult to enjoy.

A mostly unremarkable and bloated chanbara. The story is full of identity crises, double crosses, and other twists, and it's all quite analogous to the the political paranoia of 1965. Unfortunately it's pretty confused and disjointed, mostly due to an overcrowded cast of characters, none of whom are very memorable. Shinoda does make some great aesthetic choices, and Toru Takemitsu's scores never fail. There are a few good swordplay set pieces scattered throughout as well.