Very good samurai drama with (almost) nothing of swords nor fighting

Excellent story telling; superb cinematography; compelling protagonist. It is not as strong plot-wise as The Hidden Blade, but there is so much to love about this work. Also, it features a young Sanada Hiroyuki before Shogun fame.

I found this film on, I think? - Netflix UK several years ago, and was transfixed by this truly excellent film depicting life in rural Japan in the dying times of the old Bushido-driven society, when peasants could starve in hard winters and Samurai were often enough poverty stricken themselves. This is a very sensitively directed film with a very effective cast, all of whom played their various parts to perfection. Initially I was somewhat put off by its being a Japanese language film, making it needful to fish out the subtitle system, something I've never liked. But the early scenes in this so charmed me that I did just that and was transfixed throughout the story's deep involvement with its core family, and its st ruffles to survive in those days around the late eighteen hundreds - that's a guess, from memory. After seeing it through despite those subtitkes I hunted down a DVD copy as I knew I'd want to watch it again, it's that good a film. If you enjoy people-centred films with real characters struggling to get through trying situations, I'd urge you to see this very, very excellent film. I'm not one for writing gushing praises for movies unless it's something of exceptional class, but in this case I do urge you to try to view it somehow, even to buy a used dvd on spec. I doubt you'll be disappointed..

Loyalty and love. Very meditative.

As much as I love Japanese cinema I've never been a fan of the samurai genre. This one is different. It's more of a portrait of a man struggling to support his family and just happens to be a samurai and it's very well done. Add this one to the handful of samurai movies I like.

I loved it! If you want a deep dive, and understanding into the culture of the samurai this is the movie for you! I thought it was magnificent, and I was completely immersed in the movie with the beautiful scenery.

A slow paced, beautiful and detailed look at transitional period of samurai, as they gradually become obsolete in 19th century Japan. From the point of view of a lowly samurai, nicknamed by his co-workers 'Twilight', who has found contentment and happiness, not in following the bushido code or serving the system, that doesn't care about him. But in his family and simple pleasurers of life. It is a very poignant and well thought out character study of great person, with little to no ambitions besides making the ends meet. The biggest bummer about this great film is the persistent narration of his daughter. That really doesn't add anything to the film and almost every scene, where it present would've been immensely improved if it wasn't there. It really feels like it was not in the original script at the times.

Japanese period film directed by a Japanese cinema veteran that enthralls with it's premise and evolving plot but lacks a truly satisfying conclusion.

it follows the life of one humble low income samurai. it has good pacing and i love how the narration was done. one such as myself can empathize with the protagonist and his family as i have been there (still in there) trying to make ends meet as the sole provider of his family. although it is a samurai movie, this is not one of bloodshed and violence, it is a drama. if you have a hard working father who loves you and provides for your family, i would recommend watching this so you'd have some idea what daily living means for us fathers. it shows what hardships fathers have and what joys we feel.

one of the best samurai movies ever

One of my all time favorite samurai films. This has it all. great characters, heart rending story of poverty, love, historical transition, as well as two of the best realistic sword fights on screen. An instant classic.

We're used to samurai being portrayed as superhuman warriors, but here's a very different take, and a very different kind of hero, who couldn't be more reluctant to unsheathe his sword. Hiroyuki Sanada's performance in the title role is mesmerising - he's so ridiculously likeable that I found myself hoping NOT to see full-throttle sword fighting because I didn't want him to get hurt. I wouldn't recommend the film to those watch samurai films for the fighting as there's hardly any of that kind of action - instead there's a very real, interesting character, who happens to be a samurai, and whose fate is far more interesting than any number of beautifully choreographed battles.

No chop-socky nonsense, no flying fighters, just an excellent film.

Touching and powerful yet humble. A story about a samurai who knows who he is and what he values. His unique perspective allows him to find happiness in the wake of personal tragedy and within the confines of feudalistic Japanese hierarchy. I can't articulate just how heroic this character is. The swordwork really serves the story well and is as always, a treat to watch from Sanada Sensei.

Not an epic, but a simple story of love, suffering, family, death full of humanism. You will be pleasantly surprised. "A serious fight, the killing of a man, requires animal ferocity and calm disregard for one's own life. I have neither of those within me now."

This film along with The Hidden Blade (same director) are two of the best samurai movies out there. When I say samurai movie, I mean one that is not only historically accurate, but the story is deep and moving. If you rather watch action rubbish, then go google some ninja vs samurai crap.

There's nothing more heartbreaking than to see a samurai at the end of his rope. Though the concept of the Bamboo Sword is similar to the film 'Harakiri'.

A very well done Japanese film. A story about a simple samurai who doesn't want to fight but is obliged to do it by his clan leader. Something about Edo period Japan that I love.

75% Saw this on 18/12/15 An above avg Samurai drama with effective performances from Hiroyuki Sanada and especially Rie Miyazawa. The setup is predictable, but it's emotional and fast paced. The story could have been better, but it captures the life of a samurai as a common man living in a changing era.

Life could be simple yet bring us happiness. Colours are not the best to keep you going as day go by. The Twilight Samurai, takes us into mid 19th century's Japan and makes us fall in live with the civilization. Like the era it represents, the direction is very clean yet effective. Although movie is shot in 2002 but it actually takes us to centuries ago into the era Yoji Yamada is telling story of. Power of a creator. Everything is in aspect and very real. From emotions to the sword fight, there is nothing fantasized or emotionalized. A perfect movie for a Sunday afternoon.