Leofwine_draca An understated Japanese historical drama that explores themes of honour, respect, the inevitably of death and the social caste system in the 19th century. THE HIDDEN BLADE, despite the title, is in no way an action film; there's a single swordfight at the climax (and very good it is too) but until that point this is a human drama through and through.The movie is beautifully shot and extremely artistic. Whole scenes and single frames are captured with precision and skill. The characters are subdued and subtle and yet bring life to the screen; the actors are to be commended for giving such precise performances, particularly in the case of Masatoshi Nagase. There's romance here, and plenty of intensity despite the sedate pacing. THE HIDDEN BLADE makes a perfect companion to the similarly-themed TWILIGHT SAMURAI and deserves just as much commendation.

dromasca 'The Hidden Blade' does not reach the picks of beauty and does not fascinate like other samurai films, but is a solid, well filmed and well told story worth watching. The period when the action happens is the same one where 'The Last Samurai' is located, the time when Japan underwent rapid transformation and opening to the Western culture and way of life, but the angle is the one of the traditional samurai world. Like in the more famous movie the centuries old code of honor of the samurais enters in conflict with the rapid pace of change of the society around, but this conflict takes a secondary role here.It is actually the old code of honor that motivates Munezo, the principal character and which prevents him to consume his love to the servant Kie who belongs to another social class, and leads him into a life and death fight with his old friend who revolted against the stagnating system. The moral value of the code prevails and saves eventually the heroes in a kind of happy end, not unexpected, but yet well desired by audiences who identified with the heroes. The film is well acted and uses less the high tomes and interjections that sometimes discourage the Western audiences watching Japanese movies. The cinematography is consistent in approach and dominated by balanced nuances of brown and yellow. Without daring too much 'The Hidden Blade' is a well told story and should not be avoided by fans of Japanese films, or even as plain entertainment.

Zmajina Other reviewers said all that needs to be said about the qualities of this wonderful film. I will just cover a plot detail which can easily be overlooked, but which reveals just how intelligent the story really is. That detail is the "hidden blade" itself.When the duel ends, the dying Hazama is pained by two things: that our hero Katagiri did not condescend to use the secret technique of the Hidden Blade against him; and that their master taught the technique to the inferior pupil. In fact, it is confirmed twice during the film - first by Katagiri and then by Hazama - that Hazama would have won their mock duels in the past if they had fought with real blades. Hazama was the better swordsman of the two, but he wasn't allowed to learn the Hidden Blade. Why? We see the Hidden Blade at the end of the film, when Katagiri uses it against his superior, who was a scoundrel. We understand that the Hidden Blade is not a fighting technique, but a murdering technique. It cannot honorably be used against a samurai in a fight. That explains why he didn't use it against Hazama.OK, but why didn't their master teach Hazama the Hidden Blade? The answer is simple: that technique has nothing to do with who is a better swordsman. Since it is so deadly, it can be taught only to a person who will not abuse it, a person of integrity. And Hazama was never such a person.In this way, the ending cleverly ties all the loose ends of this great film.

roland-104 This is a long and, frankly, not very interesting Samurai film, set in the mid-19th century. Shogen Hori (Ken Ogata), the Chief Retainer, is a crafty, self indulgent type who takes advantage of people at every turn. Yaichiro Hazama (Yukiyoshi Ozawa), a Samurai retained by Hori, leaves to join a Shogenate in Edo. But he returns in disgrace, having been mixed up in an aborted palace coup in Edo. Hazama is imprisoned, but then escapes.The central protagonist, another Samurai, Munezo Katagiri (Masatoshi Nagase), is then required by Hori to prove he was not in league with Hazama by killing him. When they practiced long ago, Hazama was the better swordsman of the two. But this time Katagiri buffs up his skills with his old master teacher, who gives him a couple of new tricks to use.The whole business is complicated, and Mr. Nagase doesn't seem to have the chops to sustain his central role in a manner that compels interest. He's not the fascinating character that was played by Hiroyuki Sanada in Yôji Yamada's earlier film, "Twilight Samurai." As in that film, "Hidden Blade" observes a lot about marriage and domestic life of the Samurais but offers very little combat, and that only at the end, so Samurai action junkies are forewarned that this might not be the movie for you. My grade: low B 6.5/10.