忠臣藏 (1959)

While the story of the Ako Clan's vendetta has been told countless times, never before
has there been an array of major motion picture stars to bring new life to this timeless
tale. Starting with the corrup practices of Lord Kira and Yanagi-sawa, the Shogun's
Secretary, which in essence led to the incident of Lord Asano's attacking Kira in the
Pine Corridor of the Shogun's Palace, this is the definitive version. Asano Takumi no
kami was a young lord with high scruples, who refused to join in the general
corruption and bribery which ran rampant in the capital at that time. By not giving
bribes, he angered Kira Kozuke no suke the elder lord in charge of protocol at the
Palace. Refusing to teach the younger man, and giving him false instructions was
only the beginning. Insults followed, and a man of honor had no choice but to draw
his sword in anger. Forty seven masterless samurai are willing to give their lives to
avenge their lord. Nothing could match the courage of these warriors as they show
that truly the sword is the soul of the samurai, and the samurai is the soul of Japan.
This massive story is told in two parts, with an amazing all-star cast, a must see!