The Twilight Samurai
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The Twilight Samurai

2002
Drama, Action
2h 9m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 73.48% from 812 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(812)
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Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
85th
Slow, but incredibly moving story of a samurai whose dedication to his children make him an object of ridicule in his village. One of the bets samurai films ever made.
Rated 13 Jul 2010
92
96th
Absolutely beautiful movie. The cinematography is beautiful, directing is really good and the acting is also great. I loved every second of this movie
Rated 19 Jun 2011
89
93rd
Great. A woman narrates the story of her father, a a poor, quiet samurai. A slow paced film about an unambitious content man. It does a lot of things right, gives a genuine glimpse into the pre-Meiji era rural Japan life. Its great direction and flawless performances by the entire cast coupled with authentic set designs draw you into the slow but strangely mesmerizing tale. And it also includes one of the best sword fights I've ever seen. Very entertaining. Highly Recommended.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
90
97th
Every second of this movie is a lush, delicate treat. Every shot is achingly pretty, and the whole film carries a wonderful melancholic atmosphere which only helps to enhance the simple, but involving story of struggling samurai and his family. The performances are supurb too, with Sanada and Miyazawa absolutely brilliant.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
89
97th
A movie that starts off strong with wonderful characters, bogs somewhat in the middle, and finishes VERY strong. A touching film for anyone interested in feudal Japan and/or samurai.
Rated 02 May 2007
88
87th
The samurai genre's Unforgiven.
Rated 08 May 2008
85
91st
Instant classic. A sedately paced and melancholy samurai film with a wonderful lead performance from Hiroyuki Sanada.
Rated 19 Sep 2008
86
87th
example of how to live a life
Rated 14 Dec 2008
85
97th
Not a love story, but a story of love. The film really immerses you to the characters and story, without having to try and captivate you with drawn out sword fights.
Rated 16 May 2012
85
95th
Ancient Japan and the Samurai tradition are so exquisite and beautiful, and this film does an excellent job of reflecting this. The film had such a quiet dignity and felt very authentic. I liked that the violent scenes were presented very simply and weren't glorified. The cinematography was understated, yet gorgeous. The direction and all the performances were brilliant too. In short, I loved this emotional, beautiful and well-made film.
Rated 02 Sep 2012
86
79th
A human drama more than action. The best, rarest kind of samurai story: about honor found in family, not ambition.
Rated 26 Sep 2021
5
73rd
as grimy and weathered as twilight himself, the samurai genre is here to count its losses, sigh a last sigh and put itself to rest. action is matter-of-fact and inglorious, an exhausting, nerveracking threat to the routine of raising your children, already a job so tough it barely leaves time to bathe. the pressures of poverty, disease and cultural conservatism are as scary an enemy as anything beyond the borders, but survive them and you'll be sent off to die in the war. deeply weary melodrama.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
80
95th
The Japanese have made some amazing films and this is one of them.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
80th
one of the best samurai films I watched
Rated 23 Jan 2008
94
85th
Touching, well-acted period piece.
Rated 05 Apr 2009
75
94th
Extraordinary sensitivity and refinement.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
81
84th
Sober and restrained drama about love and duty. Does a wonderful job of making you sympathize with the main character. Some beautiful looking scenes make it a slow-moving but rewarding viewing.
Rated 22 Nov 2009
75
86th
Don't go expecting a lot of action (there are one or two good moments), but if you're open to a chivalrous samurai drama, check this out. Also, if you like this, you'll probably like Hidden Blade and Love and Honor.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
85
92nd
A film about one poor Samurai making ends meet with devotion to his family and a realistic look at the life and times of a dying era in Japan. This film is not only beautiful to look at but has a very strong piece of acting by Hiroyuki Sanada. This is 10 times the film that the nonsense Hollywood trash that the Last Samurai was.
Rated 15 Feb 2010
94
98th
If you love samurai movies... YOU MUST RENT THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!! dont let the subtitles through you off because there isnt much of them
Rated 11 Aug 2010
88
85th
so simple and fluid story about samurai life(and not fighting). also the music is great. loved it totally.
Rated 16 Dec 2010
80
87th
A beautiful,slow paced character study about one man's struggle with his dual need to be there for his family and to maintain his honor as a samurai.
Rated 05 Mar 2012
70
54th
The whole romance plot felt like nothing I hadn't really seen before. It was obvious how things would turn out as soon as the female love interest was introduced, so the plot really drags its feet between that moment and the climax. However, the movie is still well-made, and the (two) fight scenes are engaging, and feel very realistic.
Rated 23 Sep 2021
100
99th
I keep watching this movie every couple of years. it is a little story very well told. The pace, the light, the details and the acting create a bond between content and form: it's clearly not ambitious, but meticulous in what it does do - just like the protagonist. And i have tears from joy in my eyes everytime it reaches the end. Twilight himself is one of my favorite heroes of all time, if not my favorite!
Rated 30 Apr 2022
70
76th
good movie
Rated 19 Dec 2006
72
41st
This film garnered a lot of accolades, including all the top honors at the Japanese Film Academy Awards. I thought it was well-done but it didn't really grab me. It has the feel of a Zhang Yimou picture: quiet and sensitive, and a little bit too sappy at times. Also the narration doesn't work very well.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
50
33rd
What's the big deal?
Rated 17 Sep 2007
70
63rd
solid film
Rated 15 Nov 2009
81
64th
Textbook example of a very good film. Solid acting, engaging story, strong visuals, etc. but it lacks a standout quality and the message at the end rubbed me the wrong way.
Rated 26 Oct 2010
95
75th
An ode to competence.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
93
97th
93.250
Rated 06 Jan 2011
24
12th
Mediocre calculated drama centred around an immaculately sympathetic lead character; giving him a sword didn't make him any more compelling.
Rated 09 Jul 2012
91
91st
A modest unassuming Samurai lives a life of hardship while supporting his daughters & sick mother. His duel with a stick versus a long sword was very impressive. The family life and love story was a nice touch. It's easy to get invested in the character created by Hiroyuki Sanada. The story feels authentic and was engaging throughout. Much of the story is told as narration from his daughter. Good script, music and production quality.
Rated 31 Oct 2012
84
93rd
I really enjoyed this, but unless nuance is your thing, I can't really recommend it.
Rated 25 Nov 2013
61
69th
A pleasant story about love and honor, which couldn't have a better setting than Restoration-era Japan. The events are never that shocking or overly powerful, but it certainly works as a drama. Despite the film's subtlety with emotions and the barely-happy conclusion, the ending comes off as surprisingly feel-good.
Rated 02 Sep 2015
12
27th
Its not an action movie.
Rated 11 Apr 2016
70
87th
A bit sappy at times, especially considering the entire narrative is done by the daughter of the main character. Overall a pretty fun Kurosawa-esque samurai movie.
Rated 06 Sep 2017
85
64th
85
Rated 21 Feb 2018
61
31st
Muted Samurai Rebellion (1967) remake
Rated 15 Mar 2019
60
47th
It was good, but ultimately forgettable. Well made, but lacking true atmosphere.
Rated 18 Jan 2020
85
91st
There is something so harsh, cold and distanced about the world of samauari and Japan, at this time. It is so physical, yet they stand and walk at a far distance from each other. They are within their bodies, but this body is only for oneself, it is not allowed to share it. And this why, although I was a bit bored during the film, I was genuinely touched and almost cry, when in the last five minutes, a hand finally reached and touched another body.
Rated 07 Oct 2020
80
80th
Ito: "With a sick wife, two young daughters and an aged mother in his care, my father was unable to drink with his colleagues. He had to hurry home every evening at dusk. I was told the men he worked with gave him the cruel nickname of 'Twilight Seibei'."
Rated 18 Feb 2021
89
87th
This movie was candidate for Oscars as the best foreign movie. And great movie it is. The story is believable and acting also. The best part is that the samurai-hero is just an ordinary guy who likes is family more than anything else.
Rated 11 Jun 2022
90
94th
A moving and understated historical drama; not action-packed, as you'd expect from the title. It has a quiet air about it and you never expect it to go anywhere extreme, but the tension is high in its final moments. The climax is well directed and this plays a part in its effectiveness, but its success is also owed to a solid foundation of character development. We've spent time with Iguchi and have a firm understanding of his context, so stakes suddenly feel very high when a crisis arises.
Rated 09 Aug 2022
75
39th
Always enjoy a good jidaigeki film. Yes, it's a period piece, but even though it was made in 2002 it felt like it could have come out of the 60s era. That's a compliment. This one is a slow burn but I never quite felt bored. Would possibly recommend for fans of Harakiri, though the latter is much better. There's some themes in this one about honor and pride. Humility and such. It's a samurai film, after all. It came highly recommended but just didn't hit that top mark for me. Still decent
Rated 12 Apr 2023
90
97th
This is a blade runner 2049 esq film and likely inspired it. Although the story setting and sound is completely different. You can see the heart and purity that it has. The hero is who we all strive to be, and it shows realism by the end

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