Similar to Kobayashi’s Harakiri (1962), Samurai Rebellion is a masterclass in building tension. You feel it from the opening scene, right into the final act. I’ll do my best not to go into great details about the complex plot, but will just say it ultimately comes down to a choice between love, and duty.

Mifune plays the vassal Isaburo Sasahara, who has lived his life honorably during a time of peace. He is in an unhappy marriage, but is shown to be a keen samurai who plans to retire, and let his son, and new wife, Ichi, head the family going forward. Lady Ichi is played by Yoko Tsukasa, and it’s her vulnerable, and sorrowful performance that dominates the first half of the film. When a sudden turn of events throws their dynamic into array, the family has to make a painful decision that could result in their ruin.

Isaburo steps out from the shadows in the second half. Tired of being a dutiful father in a loveless marriage, something has awakened inside of him after seeing the love shared between his son and his daughter-in-law become threatened. This is where Mifune really shines, transforming from a somewhat reserved vassal into a boastful, if not excited samurai that’s ready to die for his beliefs. There’s a great scene where Isaburo and his son are preparing their home for battle, and a servant stops by and questions why he’s removing the mats, and he just nonchalantly says “The mats? A custom at these times so our feet won’t slip in the blood.”

Like Harakiri, all of that tension needs a release, and like that movie, it is explosive. Isaburo erupts in the last act, taking down numerous enemies one after the other, and it’s all pretty thrilling. The film also stars Tatsuya Nakadai in a limited role, though he still brings so much with his piercing eyes, and presence. He also compliments Mifune’s character perfectly. Both are clearly great friends, but because of their talents, are seen outwardly as rivals.

It often takes me a couple watches to really get familiarized with a film, so I still need to process my thoughts after this first viewing, but I can say I was very impressed by it, and hope to see it on Blu-ray one day.