by Jack Nilan            EMail : jacknilan@yahoo.com


  1. The Seven Samurai (1954)
  2. Samurai Rebellion (1967)
  3. Ran (1985)
  4. Ugetsu (1953)
  5. Rashomon (1950)
  6. Kagemusha (1980)
  7. Throne of Blood (1957)
  8. The Hidden Fortress (1958)
  9. The Great Killing (1964)
  10. Three Outlaw Samurai (1964)
  11. The Thirteen Assassins (1963)
  12. Harakiri (Seppuku) (1962)
  13. Silence (2016)
  14. The Twilight Samurai (2002)
  15. Revenge (1964)
  16. Chushingara (1962)
  17. Gate of Hell (1953)
  18. Sword of Doom (1966)
  19. The Crucified Lovers (1954)
  20. 13 Assassins (2010)
  21. Samurai 1 - Miyamoto Musashi (1954)
  22. Eleven Samurai (1967)
  23. The Hidden Blade (2004)
  24. The 47 Loyal Ronin (1941)
  25. Samurai 3 - Duel on Ganryu Island (1956)
  26. Samurai Vendetta (1959)
  27. Shogun (1980)
  28. Zatoichi (2003)
  29. Sword of Desperation (2010)
  30. Yojimbo (1961)
  31. Love and Honor (2006)
  32. Sanjuro (1962)
  33. When the Last Sword is Drawn (2003)
  34. Miyamoto Musashi (1944)
  35. After the Rain (1999)
  36. Sword of the Beast (1965)
  37. Samurai Assassin (1965)
  38. Samurai 2: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)
  39. Shogun Assassin (1980)
  40. Unforgiven (2013)
  41. Bushido (1963)
  42. The Last Samurai (2003)
  43. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)
  44. Onibaba (1964)
  45. Ichi (2008)
  46. Ambush: Incident at Blood Pass (1970)
  47. The Shogun's Shadow (1989)
  48. Samurai Banners (1969)
  49. The Shogun's Samurai (1978)
  50. Red Lion (1969)
  51. Lady Snowblood (1973)
  52. Heaven and Earth (1990)
  53. Taboo (1999)
  54. 47 Samurai (1969)
  55. Red Sun (1971)
  56. Azumi (2003)
  57. G.I. Samurai (1979)
  58. The Secret of the Urn (1966)
  59. The Sea is Watching (2002)
  60. 47 Ronin (2013)
  61. Ronin Gai (1990)
  62. Samurai Fiction (1998)
Zatoichi Movies
  1. Tale of Zatoichi (1962)
  2. The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962)
  3. New Tale of Zatoichi (1963)
  4. Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)
  5. Zatoichi on the Road (1963)
  6. Zatoich and the Chest of Gold (1964)
  7. Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (1964)
  8. Fight, Zatoichi, Fight (1964)
  9. Adventures of Zatoichi (1964)
  10. Zatoichi's Revenge (1965)
  11. Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965)
  12. Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965)
  13. Zatoichi's Vengeance
  14. Zatoichi's Pilgrimage (1966)
  15. Zatoichi's Cane-sword (1967)
  16. Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967)
  17. Zatoichi Challenged (1967)
  18. Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968)
  19. Samaritan Zatoichi (1968)
  20. Zatoichi Metts Yojimbo (1970)
  21. Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival (1970)
  22. Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1970)
  23. Zatoich at Large (1972)
  24. Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)
  25. Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
  26. The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)



This site is attempting to list, review and create some discussion about the best movies ever made about samurais, the warrior class that served, and helped shape the philosophies and culture of Japan for almost 1000 years.

     Although five of my top ten samurai movies were directed by the great Akira Kurosawa, there are also movies by the most of the greats of Japanese cinema including, Masaki Kobayashi, Kenji Mizoguchi, Hiroshi Inagaki, and Kon Ichikawa.

     The samurai movies are particularly interesting because they show the shifting values of the Japanese culture between the pre-World War 2 years and the post-World War 2 years. Before the war the focus of the movies was on loyalty to one's lord and one's clan. The family was not a priority and was only important in helping the samurai do his duty.

     In the post-war years we start to see a re-interpretation of the samurai story. Now the samurai world view could be criticized. Movies like Samurai Rebellion and Harikiri could point out just unfair the system could be. Those in positions of authority could be portrayed as being villains, forcing their capricious will on good and loyal samurais and their families.

     We also see the samurai used in a reporting role. They see what is going on in society and they will then give their views on it. The samurai, particularly in the post-war movies, begin to take the side of the peasants against the establishment. This is also done by ronin, who have lost their place in society, but we also see samurais like Kikyo in Three Outlaw Samurai, who are on the inside, switch over to the peasant side because it is the right thing to do.

     The samurai movies are really interesting because they serve as metaphors for Japanese society in the post-samurai world. Should one's family or one's corporation be most important? What is the role of the individual in society? Are those in positions of authority always correct? What is more important: what is best for the country or the rights of the individual?

     I've also added on the Zatoichi movies. The blind masseur and master swordsman wasn't a samurai, but most of his fighting involved samurai and ronin, so I am adding him in.


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Jack Nilan                   The Best Samurai Movies                  2009 - 2012