This movie Nichiren is basically what you would expect it to be. A 1979 Japanese-made period movie (jidai-geki) about a monk who sets out to establish a purer Buddhist sect in Japans Kamakura period. The actor Yorozuya Kinnosuke gives a walloping performance, at times it feels overly dramatic. The story follows him from when he "graduates" from his local temple in Chiba. He studies in Kyoto but disagrees with mainstream teaching. He resolves to bring a simpler and purer version of Buddhism to the masses but keeps running into setbacks. He is banished several times and there are several attempts on his life. One scene, which is very dramatic, has Nichiren about to be executed but saved through supernatural intervention. The background music is grand and helps indicate the mood. What I liked best in this movie was the historic background: I learned about the Nichiren sect, I could see how the regent controlled the shogun, a Mongolian invasion is mentioned. A good movie for anyone interested in Kamakura period history.
