Admittedly it is with some bias that I rate this movie a 9--because Masakazu Tamura as well as Takao Kataoka are my two favorite actors to portray Nemuri. So that bias might have influenced my rating.
Tamura is quite elderly, well into his 70s, maybe even 80s, so I was astonished to see him return in his signature role again. At least a token nod of the head is given to the background of including the priest who raised him during his childhood.
In trying to give an honest review of this film I have to admit that Tamura's age affects his performance. Because in the dialogue-scenes his voice is quite raspy, which makes it difficult sometimes to understand and appreciate. But that can be remedied by a repeated viewing, which is what I did.
The scene in the Buddhist temple is quite well done and enjoyable. That kind of setting is quite appropriate for the Nemuri character because for me the character has always been known for his stoicism and serenity. Somebody watching this film for the first time might think Tamura's performance as wooden but it's not that at all. Because the titular character was always meant to be shown as impassive, which fittingly reflects the stoicism and serenity of a master swordsman facing death at every turn.
