47 Ronin, Part 1

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47 Ronin, Part 1 ★★★ The Loyal 47 Ronin; 47 Samurai 1942

Turn of the 18th-century epic chronicling the samurai legend. The warriors of Lord Asano set out to avenge their leader, tricked into committing a forced seppuku, or harakiri. The photography is generously laden with views of 18th century gardens as well as panoramic vistas. This is the largest and most popular film of the Kabuki version of the story by Seika Mayama. In Japanese with English subtitles. 111m/C VHS, DVD . JP Yoshisaburo Arashi, Utaemon Ichikawa, Chojuro Kawarazaki, Kunitaro Kawarazaki, Mantoyo Mimasu, Micko Takamine; D: Kenji Mizoguchi; W: Yoshikata Yoda, Kenchiro Hara; C: Kohei Sugiyama; M: Shiro Fukai.