desalvo_j This is one of the best samurai films I have ever seen, the screen images are out standing and the plot line is solid, this film is truly a hidden gem and should be seen. I have seen this film a few times and have enjoyed watching it each time, which is the mark of a good film. I enjoyed the large battle scenes which rival any scenes from the best Hollywood can produce. It is truly refreshing to see such films from non Hollywood sources. I would have to say that this was the best samurai film in its decade and possibly one of the best films I have ever seen. I would suggest this film to any samurai buff or anybody who enjoys a visually stunning film.

lastliberal No one does spectacular battles like the Japanese; especially when it comes to Samurai. The pageantry, the color, the sound, all frame a battle that is more like a chess match than war.Tsunehiko Watase (Usami) provides outstanding support to Takaaki Enoki (Kagetora) and Masahiko Tsugawa (Takeda Shingen), warriors who are battling for control of Japan in the 16th Century.Ken Watanabe was supposed to been one of the leads according to a source, but had to drop out because of illness. It does not suffer any for his absence as the others do an outstanding job.Some may like their war with blood and guts, but if you like to see war not only as an art of battle, but as an art form, then this is the best you can see.

MartinHafer This movie has great battle scenes--large, intense and seemingly real. The clash between the red and black colored armies is a visual treat. The problem is that for as great as these scenes are, the film lags greatly on the personal level. The dialog just seems as if it is being filmed at a great emotional distance--and OFTEN, the scenes are actually filmed at a pretty great physical distance. If the movie could have been re-edited with new writing and direction for the non-spectacular scenes, it might achieve greatness. Otherwise, it just seems a little too cold and distant to become engaging. In this sense, it looks, at times, more like a documentary on the History Channel more than a film about PEOPLE and events.

dbui72 This was my very first taste of Japanese movie.I enjoyed it very much. Though I have very little understanding of the history, it helped me understand a fasanating period in Japan. I love the scenery and the visual battle scenes.-I dont hold the movie in contempt to history as much as I hold Braveheart to it. So what if it meanders from the hostorical facts, so does a lot of movies and myths we know of.-If you like this period and computer games, I suggest you check out Shogun Total War on the PC gaming section.This is one of my favorite movies and battle scenes that compares to Gladiator. I also like another Japanese film, "Shall We Dance", a lighter side of Japanese filming.