Rusty Blade

Good fighting moves shown by both adversaries and heroes. Skillfully and smoothly enacted evade and attack sword fight circling with some muscly shoving and hilt punches.

The plot serves well to drive the action as well as to show quieter, behind the fight-life, scenes where character's are rounded out and home life or personal motive is put forward. Plot effectively reveals haves and have-nots cultural setting without overuse of costumes, bureaucrat's posing, and palacial sets to weigh-down the story.

Crew of four swordsmen make a trim, mobile, cohesive force to carry out a key mission needed to sustain each man.