Samurai’s Promise (2018) | Region-Free (Blu-Ray) | English Subtitles

Title: Samurai’s Promise (2018)

Alternate Title: Chiri Tsubaki / Falling Camellia

Genre: Period / Jidaigeki / Historical Drama

Plot Synopsis
After denouncing corruption in his han, a samurai is exiled. Years later, his wife collapses and dies, entrusting him with a final wish: return home and assist his former friend, now tangled in political intrigue. He returns to find the clan roiled by infighting, betrayals, and power struggles. As he seeks to clear his name and fulfill his wife’s dying wish, he becomes drawn into a web of loyalty, rivalry, and sacrifice.

Cast and Crew

• Director: Daisaku Kimura

• Writers: Rin Hamuro, Takashi Koizumi

• Cast:

  • Jun’ichi Okada as Shinbei Uryu

  • Hidetoshi Nishijima as Uneme Sakakibara

  • Haru Kuroki as Satomi Sakashita

  • Sôsuke Ikematsu as Togo Sakashita

  • Kumiko Asô as Shino Uryu

IMDb Link: Samurai’s Promise (2018)

Reviews from Letterboxd

1. penel – ★★★★☆
   “With astonishing cinematography, beautiful scenery and filming settings that highlight the four seasons of Japanese countryside, a well-fitted smooth and melancholic tone, beautifully choreographed powerful action sequences and a solid well-written story depicted by skillful cast, ‘Samurai’s Promise’ is a tribute to jidaigeki genre that depicts samurai’s dignified way of living and a painful but beautiful story of love. However, the choice of music sounds a bit off and, for non-Japanese viewers, it is often difficult (especially at the beginning) to figure out who’s who and follow all the plot’s and politics details.”

2. casualwastrel – ★★★☆☆
   “Pretty typical samurai film where the lead confronts notions of honor. The pacing is pretty deliberate but it gradually develops into a solid portrayal of a man stuck in a moral dilemma.”

3. Rifan – ★★★★☆
   “The surprise movie of the year for me. I’m sure that this slow burner is definitely not to everyone’s liking, but there’s just something about this film that captivates me. Beautifully shot, and great samurai battle (although very short).”

4. Colin Gregory – ★★★★½
   “Simply beautiful. Daisaku Kimura may be late to the directing game. But I hope to see more from him.”

5. Trèman – ★★★★½
   “Bit of a special movie in many ways… There’s some Akira Kurosawa inspiration and a bunch from Kobayashi’s Harakiri, but with lots of modern technique. Some questionable use of CGI is its main flaw, but the story, beautiful filming and well crafted characters hold it together. Excellent cast and choreography.”

Meta Description:
A visually stunning jidaigeki drama of exile, honor, political intrigue, and love as a disgraced samurai returns home to redeem himself and fulfill his wife’s dying wish.