Parents need to know that 47 ronin is based on a famous japanese story about an event that took place in the 18th century and though the violence is largely bloodless, there are swordfights with mixed martial arts and two beheadings. Things go horribly wrong when shifty lord kira tadanobu asano and. Japanese epic, fantasy film, love story, and samurai action film. The tale of the 47 ronin is one of the most famous in japanese history, and it is a true story. The tale of the 47 ronin and their epic mission to avenge their wronged master epitomizes. Well this film stars keanu reeves who plays a halfbreed japanese man who leads the 47 ronin in their quest for vengeance.
It is a historical piece set in ancient feudal japan where the hero. Keanu reeves leads the cast as kai, an outcast who joins oishi hiroyuki sanada, the leader of 47 outcast samurai. I first went to sengakuji temple the burial site of the 47 ronin about 20 years ago, just as a tourist thing and not knowing the background of the temple or the story of the 47 ronin. Nearly everything in the movie, from a cultural and historical. Keanu reeves leads the cast as kai, an outcast who joins oishi. Real story of the 47 ronin, how does it differ from the popular stories. Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes, and lines from all your favorite films. This set off a chain of events that led to one of the bloodiest episodes in japanese history. As a pure novel of adventure, the book is terrific and the insight the story provides into the japanese character is invaluable. Left with no leader to dedicate their lives to, they roamed the countryside, freelancers for hire. The first part was released on december 1, 1941 with the second part being released on february 11. Spectacular goofiness should be expected of 47 ronin, an american film loosely based on the true story of 47 reallife masterless samurai who avenged their disgraced masters death.
From ancient japans most enduring tale, the epic 3d fantasyadventure 47 ronin is born. When lord asano min tanaka welcomes shogun tsunayoshi caryhiroyuki tagawa to his home, it should be a joyous occasion. In the film, keanu reeves portrays kai, a halfbritish halfjapanese outcast who is called upon by oishi, the leader of the 47. Well the story is largely legendary, its not known how much, if any, of it was true as it occurred during a period of strict censorship in japan and wasnt written down until decades after it was supposed to occur. To know the story of the 47 ronin is to know japan. A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun. He served as the historical advisor for the universal pictures film 47 ronin starring keanu reeves. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. The actual story of the 47 ronin is fairly simple, at least in its basic outlines. In the 47 ronin in debt, yoshihiro nakamuras samurai satire on the high cost of waging warfare, the noble history of feudal japan is retold through the lens of economic necessity. This action movie runs with purpose from one fight scene to another but takes a pause to develop the characters and let the audience relate to their inner emotions. The 47 ronin genroku chushingura, the treasury of loyal retainers of the genroku era is a blackandwhite twopart jidaigeki japanese film directed by kenji mizoguchi, adapted from a play by seika mayama.
Of asanos over 300 men, 47, especially their leader oishi, refused to allow their lord. I was inexplicably moved by the visit, and found a copy of john allyns book at an englishlanguage bookstore in tokyo. The chance to rethink the story of the 47 ronin came in autumn 1989, when i had. I have read several englishlanguage books on the 47 ronin over the past 20 years, but i consider this one to be the definitive telling of the tale. Since 47 ronin opened, mystifyingly, on christmas day, it has earned for itself the right to be treated with the warmth and charity of the holiday season. While it is based on the legend and true events, its a 300esque retelling done in samurai fashion.
Most recently, it was made into a 20 american movie titled 47 ronin, starring keanu reeves, and then. Their story is often referred to as japans national legend. The revenge of the fortyseven ronin also known as the ako incident. Stories of bravery, loyalty and revenge have captivated audiences and inspired some of hollywoods most loved films.
During the tokugawa era in japan, the country was ruled by the shogun, or highest military official, in the name of the emperor. This was perhaps all the more so because it occurred at a time when the samurai class was struggling to maintain a sense of itself warriors with no war, a social class without a function. The story of the 47 ronin is one of the most celebrated in the history of the samurai. Yoshihiro nakamuras the 47 ronin in debt aims to humanize. Both the book and two movie versions of the story, 47 ronin and chushingura, are well worth tracking down. He is the corrupt ruler of the province of nagato along with mizuki who banished lord asano and tried woo mika who is kais love interest by tired married her. Under him were a number of regional lords, the daimyo. The film 47 ronins was released in japan before america, and its debut proved unsatisfying. Keanu reeves new movie has 47 problems, but the ronin ain. I bought every book there is about middle earth, from the the silmarillion to the 3 volumes of the complete history of middle earth. The story of 47 ronin samurai who avenged their falsely disgraced master centuries ago is a favorite of japanese artisans. Driven from their homes and dispersed across the land, this band of ronin must seek the help of kai reevesa halfbreed they once rejectedas they fight their way across a savage world of. There have been many books, operas, plays and movies crafted in an attempt to stylishly capture the fabled tales lessons of.
The spartan attitude and spirit becomes the samurai code of honor, each shot and the overall look of the. The true story of the vendetta of the 47 ronin from ako. It is raging and violent during the battle scenes, its hushed and soothing in the scenes of reflective solemnity, it creates at all times an immersive feeling that. I almost did not watch this, but im glad that i did. Speaking of bastardized japanese archetypes, sanada is one of two actors on board who played emilys samurai mentor on abcs archly ludicrous. Produced over a twoyear period, kenji mizoguchis version of the oftfilmed seika mayama story the 47 ronin was too big to be confined to a single film. The story of the 47 ronin is a japanese national legend, one that has been adapted into just about every conceivable medium innumerable times since the historical events it is based on occurred at the dawn of the 18th century. In a shocking clash between the warriors and the merchant class of seventeenth century japan, there emerged the most unlikely set of heroesthe fortyseven ronin, or exsamurai, of ako. The same definition would apply to the rough band of killers who assemble in a paris bistro at the beginning of john frankenheimers ronin. I havent watched the movie yet but this was certainly a better to get acquainted with the story of japan, as they say to know this story is to know japan.
From ancient japans most enduring tale, the epic 3d fantasyadventure 47 ronin is born keanu reeves leads the cast as kai, an outcast who joins oishi hiroyuki sanada, the leader of the 47 ronin. A novelization based on the film starring keanu reeves from legendary author joan d. The film historian misono kyohei has counted a total of sixty chushingura. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and restore honor to their people. The movieclips channel is the largest collection of licensed movie clips on the web. Its an ambitious film that utilizes grand cg effects and backdrops, along with elaborate sets, to create a tangible authenticity to the films time period. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and reclaim their honor. Under him were a number of regional lords, the daimyo, each of whom employed a contingent of samurai warriors. This vfxheavy take on the japanese legend of selfsacrifice goes all in for a bit of eastern mystery, but just feels bland and plodding. Turnbull wrote a book on the hidden christian communities of japan, outcastes or nonhuman ninja. Schlattbooks, laudakonigshofen 2003, isbn 3937745122 englisch. The ronin of japanese legend were samurai whose lords were killed. Oishi is by far the more compelling character as well as the legends legitimate protagonist, and sanada gives the films most nuanced performance.
My first introduction to 47 ronin by the way of the film produced by keanu reeves. Samurai warriors have for many years been the subject of some of cinemas best films. Keanu reeves stars in the 3d actionadventure epic, 47 ronin. Asano was ordered to kill himself by ritual seppuku. The classic tale of samurai loyalty, bravery and retribution john allyn. He served as the historical advisor for the universal pictures film 47 ronin. The book contains a new foreword by stephen turnbull, the historical advisor for 47 ronin and the author of more than 50 books on military history. I hope that if people see this post and they havent read the trilogy its actually 6 stories. Japan has already had films, theatre productions and tv series based on this story, so having a new hollywood block buster that diverted from the original story so much probably didnt excite them as much as universal were hoping. Lord kira is the main antagonist of the of 20 film 47 ronin. I always thought it was a young adult book and avoided it as i only read adult. The raid of the forty seven ronin holds a unique place in japanese history.