Chûshingura 1/47

I really like this film! This is a TV film, so it is made in typically TV dramas style - few action and many talks. But anyway, it is very interesting, captivating and well made - smart and intense psychological drama about real events of late 17th - early 18th century in Japan. Sad, wise and intelligent film that speaks about very complicated and serious matters - value of life and death, honor and self respect, price of urging perfection and ideals... that sometimes to go on living is more difficult than to die.

It is well directed, with picturesque national and historic flavor, good rhythm, excellent dialogs. Special edition that I've bought, has English subtitles, so there were no problems with understanding.

There is a very good acting in this film, too. Sato Koichi as Ohishi was simply excellent! So delicate, so intelligent acting! But especially I was impressed by actor in leading role - Kimura Takuya as Yasubei. I saw this actor before only once, in Kar-Wai Wong's "2046" (he played there a small supporting role, but it stuck in my mind). In "Chushingura 1/47" I watched him in a big role for the first time. And I have to admit that he is a really good actor: vigorous, charismatic performance in dramatic scenes and very subtle, moving in lyrical ones; in the 3d part of the film he even made my cry twice!

Also I can recommend Chushingura 1/47 to all who is interesting in Japanese history. I've read about this historic incident before, but the film helped me to understand better Japanese customs of that time, reasons and mentality of the people involved in the events.