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Sword of Desperation

Play trailer Poster for Sword of Desperation 2010 1h 54m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Released from solitary confinement, a swordsman (Etsushi Toyokawa) must now become his lord's bodyguard.
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Sword of Desperation

Critics Reviews

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Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse The most evident trait of Hideyuki Hirayama's film is the way the story unfolds, with the two axes being wonderfully implemented, and the build up to the shocking and violent finale being truly exquisite. Apr 13, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Beautiful. Heart wrenching. Honor. Bushido. Good guy versus good guy climax. I don't think I've ever seen that before. And nothing beats a good katana fight in a courtyard Japanese garden. And that final sword thrust??? Holy sweetness, it caught me off guard. I love samurai movies and if you're the same, add this to the list. Plus, its just a good movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A little slow at time, the end sequence is good but I didn't quite like the ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member There are better movies about samurai around...not bad but it has the feel of a tv production Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member A rather underrated samurai film, Sword of Desperation is a well made bushido movie that really digs into the core of corrupt government back in the day. Lowly swordsman Kanemi Sanzaemon kills the consort of the daimyo, because of her own interests in swaying the lord. After a year of house arrest, Kanemi is re-instated as the lord's bodyguard, to take on a new threat. The movie does a good job with pacing, by having the big event happen at the very start. Then as the main character carries out his sentence, we see in flashbacks the tumultuous time the household had with the corrupt consort by the lord's side, as well as the simple love story with Sanzaemon's dying wife. This character development and the information sets the mood, as we build to a very suspenseful climax, one that is as realistic as it is brutal. Combining themes of honour, loyalty, and corruption, Sword of Desperation is a fine and underrated samurai film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member This is an exceptional film if you enjoy well-acted, well-written Japanese cinema set in the Samurai period. It will reward patience, as it slowly develops an intricate plot of betrayal and power politics, leading to a dynamite ending. Not to miss, if you have a bit of patience, and love a good, tragic sword opera. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member I wouldn't call this a chambara film, but it is a solid period drama about the troubled swordsman Kanemi. It did a good job getting me to empathize with the main character, his situation and the choices he makes. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sword of Desperation

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Released from solitary confinement, a swordsman (Etsushi Toyokawa) must now become his lord's bodyguard.
Director
Hideyuki Hirayama
Producer
Hidehiro Ito
Screenwriter
Hidehiro Ito, Itaru Era
Production Co
AnimEigo, Excellent Film
Genre
Action
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 22, 2016
Runtime
1h 54m
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