A TOEl Production
ELEVEN SAMURAl
Producer: Shigeru Okada
Script: Kei Tasaka, Takeo Kunihiro, Norifumi Suzuki
Photography: Sadaji Yoshida
Music: Akira Ifukube Film set: Ryuji Tsukamoto
Starring:
Isao Natsuyagi
Kotaro Satomi
Koji Nambara
Eiko Okawa Junko Miyazono
Kei Sato Kantaro Suga
Ko Nishimura
Ryutaro Otomo
Directed by Eiichi Kudo
What happened to the big game?
Nothing since this morning!
My lord!
I'm a real hunter!
Watch the border!
My lord!
Don't cross the border!
My lord!
Come back!
Border between Tatebayashi and Oshi territories
Scum!
Darling!
My lord! Come back!
I'm coming.
Wait!
Sir Nariatsu Tatebayashi, Why did you act like this?
The fool was on my way.
He had it coming!
You're in Oshi.
You have no right on my land.
Even though you've been adopted by Tatebayashi,
you still are the son of the former Shogun,
and the brother of the current Shogun.
Sir, this act is unworthy of your rank!
What?
But I'm willing to forget it.
Leave my land.
My lord!
Mitamura, no!
Stay here!
Todo, wait!
Mitamura, no!
Chamberlain!
Don't do anything, Tatewaki!
My lord!
Edo Castle
This matter shattered the central government.
Oshi's complaint.
The former Shogun
and the current Shogun
ordered us
to take severe measures.
Minister Mizuno!
I fully agree with you.
As this complaint explains it,
received from Tatewaki, chamberlain of Oshi,
Nariatsu's cruel behavior
is unworthy of his rank.
It's obvious.
But...
listen to me.
Remember that Nariatsu
has the favors of his father, the former Shogun.
Suppose that Nariatsu
really acted as described in this complaint,
then the Tokugawa clan
would lose its moral authority
on its supporting vassals.
Nariatsu would never act like that.
Indeed, his rank forbids him any form of violence.
Chamberlain Tatewaki of Oshi, earn the verdict.
Lord Abe of Oshi,
regardless of border laws,
went to Tatebayashi and insulted Lord Nariatsu,
brother of the Shogun.
It's unforgivable!
Even more unforgivable,
you accused Nariatsu
of killing your lord,
even though his death was accidental.
Sir Mizuno!
Insolent! Silence!
Oshi clan made a serious offense.
Hereditary right to Oshi territory
is removed from Abe clan.
Oshi goes under shogunal control.
It's not fair!
This verdict is unfair!
The Shogun has spoken!
Sir Mizuno...
Step back, insolent!
I have a question.
The arrow shot on our lord
is a proof.
What do you do about it?
Quiet.
Sir, at least, hear my request.
Speak.
Any sentenced person has the right to say his last will.
Here's my mine!
Report the legal notice of the verdict
until the beginning of the end of the year festivities.
Why?
Because some vassals could act rashly
after learning about the dismantling of our clan.
Give me some time to let them accept the verdict.
I'm asking you to give me a month.
If you refuse, then I'll also refuse your verdict
by committing seppuku in front of you.
Is it a threat?
I accept to report the legal notice
of the verdict by a month.
A month, not more.
Let's act wisely.
If one of you tries something against Nariatsu,
we'll be subjected to retaliation from the central government
and Abe clan will be deprived.
You must convince all our vassals
to overcome their desire of vengeance.
Punish any rash act with harakiri.
Understood?
I managed to climb as you asked me.
But how can I go back down?
Darling...
Can you help me instead of laughing?
Darling, I'm going to jump.
Are you ready?
Careful!
Tatewaki!
Lovebirds, as always.
My wife is still a child.
Right.
We're equally skilled with a sword, but when it comes to women,
you're better than me.
You found the best girl of our clan.
Tatewaki,
what brings you here?
We don't have the same social rank.
What is the chamberlain doing at a small vassal's house?
It's hard to believe unless there's an important matter.
Tell me, Hayato,
what about a horse ride?
This verdict is more than unfair. It's illegal.
They had to prevent Nariatsu, brother of the Shogun, of being dishonored.
Mizuno knows it very well.
If our clan is brought down, our 500 vassals will become vagabonds.
Without mentioning the farmers.
Look over there, the ruins of this castle.
We can here the moaning of a whole people.
The moaning of the ones who came before us.
I'll keep the Shogun's verdict secret.
Nobody must know the fate of the clan.
Let's be discreet for the time being.
We still have a month before the verdict is enforced.
In the meanwhile, kill Nariatsu.
So, you're asking me to die.
Hayato...
I'll leave the clan and become a ronin.
Hayato!
If his brother is killed by a ronin,
the Shogun will hide the truth to save his honor.
He'll say that his brother passed away from an illness.
And if we're lucky,
our clan will be spared.
I'm proud of you.
If no one denounce the absurdity of this world,
then our descendants will keep suffering.
It's a desperate situation.
Someone has to do it. It will be me.
I need ten men to succeed.
Choose the ones you want.
Todo, over there,
will be our contact.
I'll talk to him.
There's a man we must beware of.
Tatebayashi's chamberlain. His name is Gyobu.
He's the Shogun former great inspector. A fearsome fighter.
Gyobu! You again?
I've been told about your intention to go to the capital city.
Is it true?
You need the Shogun agreement.
Quiet!
Stop following me like a dog.
My lord!
Listen carefully.
Fukui, Owari, Kishu...
are the wealthy fiefs that my brothers inherited.
Whereas me...
I only inherited Tatebayashi.
Should I content myself with such a pathetic fief?
Yes, I'm going to Edo, and I'll tell you why.
It's to ask my father to give me the Oshi fief.
If I annex Oshi to Tatebayashi, I'll triple my incomes.
Gyobu!
I'm going to Edo.
I'll kill you if you try to stop me.
I'm only asking you
to avoid the Nikko road to Oshi,
and to follow the Okawa river to Kasukabe, just to be safe.
What?
Minister Mizuno warned us that some Oshi vassals
might try to kill you.
I don't care. I'll go through OShi as usual!
Gyobu!
Quit your faithful dog look!
Don't escort me to Edo!
It's the last time that I come here with my spears lowered.
Oshi castle will be mine soon.
Are you ready?
Rush the palanquin.
And kill everybody on your way.
Understood?
I feel good.
I'll get Nariatsu's head.
And I'll show it to the cowards of the fief.
Not you.
I'll be the one who'll get it.
What? No way!
Stop it!
Stop it! It's not the time. They're coming.
What about Shizuma? Did he chicken out?
Forget it, he's a coward.
Sir Mitamura!
Lady Nui!
My brother Shizuma is a man of honor.
But his tuberculosis...
got the better of him.
Is he dead?
I came instead of him.
Please accept me, Sir Mitamura!
Sir Hoshina!
Please!
- My brother! - Calm down.
Are they coming?
Sirs, death awaits you.
- Lady Nui! - I'm coming with you.
Hayato!
Move over or I'll kill you.
Damn it!
Death to Nariatsu!
No!
Stop!
You, Mitamura, and your five men.
You ignored my orders.
Disobedience is an unforgivable crime.
Therefore, you're sentenced to commit seppuku.
Except you, you're a woman.
You're to be put under house arrest.
Take her away.
Why am I not sentenced to death?
Treat me like a man.
- I'm replacing my brother. - Enough!
Hayato!
Chamberlain!
With all due respect,
we wanted to give the fief a lesson of honor.
Why... Why is it wrong?
Do you have anything else to say?
Commit seppuku and die alone.
No executioner to cut short your pain.
I'm waiting.
I'm willing to help those who aren't brave enough.
Prepare yourselves!
Stop!
You chose them well.
That's six more men.
Don't take it badly.
It was a test.
What?
Listen carefully.
We'll only get one opportunity to kill Nariatsu.
We can't make any mistake.
Give me your lives
and follow my orders to avenge our lord.
Alright?
Mitamura, Koga, Hoshina!
We're with you.
I'm with you.
Me too.
Chamberlain.
Chamberlain, me too.
My life belongs to you!
Don't cry.
- Mitamura! - Hoshina!
Chamberlain.
I brought Ichihashi, the treasurer.
Ichihashi.
Have you been informed?
Yes, but
I've never been good with a sword.
You got it wrong.
We need money to fulfil our goal.
You will be our accountant.
You're singing very well this morning.
I never dared to tell you.
I don't know how to do my hair,
but my grand-mother always told me
that I'd find a good husband
with such beautiful hair.
Will you be back late?
No, as usual.
Or, maybe a bit late.
But not too much.
- Nothing to report? - No.
Hand out the travel expenses.
For two.
Let's travel separately to be unassuming.
Do you know where we'll meet?
In Edo, in two days.
Edo Nariatsu House
What are you doing here?
It's not the time to have fun.
You seem to forget
that Oshi vassals will try to kill our lord.
To your stations!
My lord, it's Gyobu.
Guards!
Yoshiwara's pleasures district
Great courtesan!
Let's drink somewhere else.
Come on.
He's here.
Calm down.
Let him go up.
No mercy.
Pierce him.
He's here!
The lord just came in!
Come in, sir.
I'm inside.
I came in with my courtesan.
Courtesan!
Move over!
Gyobu, you again?
What are you doing here?
Fool!
My lord!
You've got nothing to do here.
I'll never let you die in such a place.
What?
BRing back His Highness.
Mitamura!
Stay here.
This chamberlain Gyobu
is a tough customer.
Everything is fine.
We lost those following us.
I have to talk to you.
Answer me.
Why did you stop us earlier?
What?
We could have done it.
But you stopped us.
We're already dead.
We're not of this world anymore.
But our soul will roam as long as Nariatsu will live.
Why did you stop us?
You're not like us.
You only left the clan.
Something made you hesitate.
It was the right opportunity!
You're really dead?
What?
You keep saying it.
Stop getting drunk on words.
Remember.
You gave me your lives.
You'll be dead only when you'll get Nariatsu's head.
There's no hurry.
Our plan will work.
Believe me.
Who's there?
- Pay me. - What?
Pay me the rent.
Did you come to my home to chat?
I heard your conversation.
Nariatsu... This name reminds me of someone famous.
Shogun leyoshi's younger brother, for example.
Let me handle it.
Get lost!
Take me with you.
I'll join you if you're going to kill the Shogun's brother.
I always dreamed of killing this moron.
We must kill him!
A man like him
doesn't deserve to live.
We must kill him.
Oshi fief house in Edo
Orie, sister!
Kyonosuke.
Don't stay outside.
She must not come in.
Why not?
My sister didn't commit any crime.
Her husband is a coward.
And you, you're the brother-in-law of this coward.
Listen.
Hayato is a nobody now.
He's just a coward who ran away with another girl.
His wife isn't allowed in here.
Send her away!
Move away!
Welcome.
Forgive me.
I know I shouldn't have come.
But I had to.
I've been in Edo since a few days.
You should have come sooner.
Kyonosuke.
Your comrades are treating you badly.
It was the same in Oshi.
It's not the reason I came.
I know that Hayato is in Edo.
I was feeling so lonely.
But then,
Hayato didn't tell you anything?
The other day,
he took care of the bird longer than usual.
I should have suspected something.
I'm stupid!
Don't say more.
Come in.
Come.
Give us some cakes.
They're still hot.
Thank you!
It's me, Nui.
I warned the others.
Thank you.
Is the next meeting ready?
Yes, but Ichihashi said something strange.
What do you mean?
Nariatsu still goes to Yoshiwara
without a reinforced personal guard.
I have a feeling they want to attack Nariatsu.
Probably.
Nui.
Mitamura must control himself.
Don't worry.
Everybody understood.
I bought a second-hand kimono.
You don't have any change of clothes...
I hope it will suit you.
We'll see.
Kyonosuke!
Nui, let him in.
Indeed, it's not a very welcoming place.
Come in. Don't pay attention to the mess.
Serve us something to drink.
Kyonosuke loves sake.
You and Nui are childhood friends, aren't you?
Brother-in-law!
You're hardly recognizable.
Are you really my sister's husband?
What do you mean?
Explain yourself.
Our lord is dead.
The prince succession is taking a long time.
Our fief is weakened.
And you, you're leaving with a girl?
I thought it was only a rumour.
Kyonosuke.
You're too young to understand.
Spare me with that!
I never
believed it.
I thought
it was a rumour to hide your plan against Nariatsu.
I didn't want to believe anything else!
And now I discover the truth.
Brother-in-law...
What about my sister?
And you, what's your opinion?
Shame on you!
Enough!
Shame on you!
Give up the sword if
you want to live selfishly.
You're not a samurai anymore!
I'll show you a real one.
I'll kill Nariatsu.
Nui.
Don't cry.
Someday, he'll understand.
Where were you?
You mustn't go out.
I went to Ueno. There are many ronins.
Sister.
Why are you still thinking about Hayato?
He doesn't deserve your love.
He's not a samurai.
Kyonosuke!
Watch your words.
You're wrong about my husband.
It's a misunderstanding.
No, it's not.
He's not the man you knew.
He's a coward.
Kyonosuke!
Do you know him better than I do?
Probably not.
I'm Hayato's wife.
Whatever he's doing, he's not a coward.
I know.
Orie.
If I tell you
that he's with another woman, do you still think the same?
Orie!
Do you love Hayato so much?
Who told you that I was here?
My darling...
It's Kyonosuke?
What's with him?
I'm writing to you before leaving.
You will take care of my sister.
I'll go to Yoshiwara tonight to kill Nariatsu.
I will avenge our lord
and denounce the government's verdict.
My poor sister will be without family.
That's the only regret I'll have after my death.
I want you to take her back with you.
In exchange of my life.
Wait!
Who are you?
Kyonosuke!
Fine.
The hell with your name!
Where are your accomplices?
What?
Answer!
Hayato and his men
want to kill our lord. Where are they?
I don't understand.
You'll see.
This tenderfoot?
I'll get you, Nariatsu!
Fool!
Here you are, at last.
I forgot again.
I wanted to prepare your sake.
I bought some nearby.
I know you like that.
Orie.
Yes?
It will be hot in a minute.
Orie...
Kyonosuke...
I already know.
Nui told me everything.
What?
Please.
Forget me and fulfil your duty.
Orie...
I'll go back home tomorrow.
I want you to know that I'm happy.
Because you're still the man that I knew.
Here. It's a bit frugal, but...
We're again as we used to be.
Hayato!
Todo!
I'm listening.
I've got a message from the Chamberlain.
Nariatsu will leave Edo the 26th to go back to his fief.
The day after tomorrow?
The chamberlain wants to talk to you.
Fine.
Farewell.
They killed him.
They killed Kyonosuke.
The man who brought back his body
thtreatened us of retaliation.
Hayato.
Your brother-in-law made a big mistake.
Our fief could be brought down right away.
I never imagined he would act alone.
It's my fault.
I should have killed him
when he came to see me.
Why?
Mizuno's promise to wait for the end of year,
can you confirm that he'll really respect it?
If Nariatsu leaves Edo the 26th,
then that's the day I'll kill him.
Hayato.
Will you be able to do it?
Are you sure?
Yes.
I won't do it in Edo.
I'll ambush him on the road.
Look.
Nariatsu, to go back to Tatebayashi,
should take the Nakasendo.
But this road goes through our fief.
Now that Nariatsu is aware of our presence
he will avoid this road.
He'll take the Nikko road to Koga,
or the Onari road.
In both cases, he'll pass through Satte.
After Satte,
a deep forest is waiting for him.
The best place for an ambush.
We'll chop down trees to block the road.
I'm sending Mitamura immediately.
Because Gyobu is a cunning man.
He might bring forward the departure.
Chamberlain,
I'll get
Nariatsu's head.
Orie!
Why?
Not you.
Samurai's wife: Sad destiny.
Nothing will change as long as there will be the mighty.
I'm a loner, I have no feelings.
But one day, a prostitute told me
that she was dreaming of a world without lords.
Hayato,
my sister was raped by a lord.
My father and my brother committed suicide.
Please, understand me.
Take me with you.
I want to get one of these lords.
I want one!
My lord!
I have something to say.
Calm down, you're in the castle.
Shut up!
Mizuno, I've almost been killed!
Me, the brother of the Shogun.
Do you realize?
If you had brought Oshi down, it wouldn't have happened.
Sir Mizuno acted for your own good
and for the Tokugawas.
I didn't ask for your opinion!
Mizuno,
I've got nothing more to tell you.
I'll see my father.
I'll complain about you.
One moment.
- It won't be necessary. - What?
Oshi fief will be brought down
and integrated to the Shogun property.
The incomes will be given to your fief, according to your wishes.
It has already been decided.
But if you're not satisfied,
nothing is stopping you
from complaining to high places.
Don't lie to me.
You must have a hard time with him.
But remember one thing.
Nariatsu isn't the Shogun's only brother.
Of the Shogun's ten brothers,
Nariatsu is always the one making trouble.
As Tatebayashi chamberlain,
show more responsability.
I have an idea.
About bringing down Oshi...
Don't announce it yet to chamberlain Tatewaki.
Nariatsu will leave Edo soon.
If something happened on the way,
for me to commit seppuku won't be enough.
You too, you'll be held responsible,
you're in charge of enforcing the government policy.
Gyobu.
According to Nariatsu's note,
the departure is in two days, the 26th.
I grant you a dispensation.
You'll leave tonight.
Very well.
There's 60 Km to Tatebayashi.
Ordinarily, we have to stop for one night.
Take some horses to get there in oen day.
I'll announce the verdict tomorrow, after your arrival to Tatebayashi.
Gyobu.
If anything were to happen to Nariatsu,
the Tokugawas authority
would be seriously called into question.
Don't worry.
Even if Oshi's vassals attack
I'll do my best to protect Nariatsu.
Everything will be over tomorrow.
We must fool Tatewaki
if we want to win.
I'll take care of Tatewaki.
Gyobu.
It's harder to rule in peacetime
than to win on the battlefield.
I made you wait.
Not at all.
Listen carefully.
A vassal of Oshi fief
almost killed Nariatsu.
The Great Council is deliberating
but hasn't come to a conclusion yet.
The matter isn't settled yet.
Tatewaki.
I feel sorry for the Oshi fief.
Sir Mizuno...
The Shogun and his father didn't appreciate
Nariatsu's high jinks at Yoshiwara district.
I'd also like to shut my eyes on this matter.
Minister...
What about our fief?
We, the ministers, are perceptive.
Then...
Tatewaki.
The verdict will be announced tomorrow.
But rest assured.
Sir,
will the Oshi fief be allowed
to have a new lord?
I just told you to rest assured.
Thank you!
Listen to me carefully.
From now on,
avoid troubles with Tatebayashi.
Hup!
Well done guys.
I, Daijuro, will teach you how to use
cannons of my own making.
You won't fool us.
How can a bamboo stand up to powder?
Bamboo, my friend,
is unbreakable lengthwise.
I reinforce it with these special sheets of paper
to prevent it from cracking.
Round up!
I have a strategy.
A large escort is protecting Nariatsu.
How can we weaken them?
Here's my plan.
Cut the ropes holding the trees
when Nariatsu will pass us.
So?
Nariatsu is leaving tonight.
Sooner than expected.
How? I can't believe it.
What shall we do?
Shall we let Hayato attack Nariatsu?
Chamberlain!
It's strange.
What is Mizuno plotting?
Why is Gyobu leaving sooner than expected?
Do you have the horses?
Yes, 50 as you ordered.
Stop!
The elite guards will ride.
The others will spend the night here.
Move it.
You,
prepare the lord's horse.
But he wants to spend the night here.
What?
You should have refused.
Why do you think we left tonight?
Gyobu!
You know the rule.
We must not travel more than 30 Km a day.
You know it very well.
I'll sleep in Satte as usual.
Warn the inn.
But it's still daylight.
I promised Mizuno to get to the fief during the night.
It will be very easy on horseback.
No!
I'm staying in Satte.
You're in great danger.
What danger?
You're only talking about danger: The moutain, Oshi fief...
Gyobu!
Does Oshi scare you that much?
I had to leave Edo like a thief,
and now I have to ride all night.
Are you trying to make a fool out of me?
His horse.
Bring it.
I'm not riding. I'm staying here.
Forward!
We'll cross the river and we'll be in Tatebayashi during the night!
On with it!
Hayato!
Nariatsu is coming. He's riding.
Gyobu planned everything.
Leaving earlier and horses.
There's around fifty riders.
It doesn't change anything.
In position!
Hayato!
What's going on?
The plan is cancelled!
What?
Nariatsu must not be killed anymore.
Tell me why.
Everything is written.
What is it?
According to Mizuno, the situation is turning to our advantage.
Everything will be ruined if we attack Nariatsu.
The chamberlain decided to believe Mizuno.
The chamberlain?
Hayato!
Think about our fief succession.
We'll stop.
Hayato!
Never!
No!
Stop!
The plan is cancelled.
Chamberlain's order!
Obey the orders.
Move away.
I'm going to kill you.
If you don't obey the chamberlain.
So that's how a samurai is.
Don't cry.
Verdict.
"Oshi fief, Abe clan.
"Guilty of an unforgivable crime.
"The Abes are disbanded,
"and their fief integrated to the shogunal property.
"Minister Mizuno Echizen. "
Wait!
Are those really Sir Mizuno's words?
Yes.
The verdict has been decided yesterday.
Yesterday?
Mizuno...
It's going to rain.
We will stop by the river.
Let's hurry!
Hayato.
I don't agree.
Why did you cancel the plan?
Only the fief interests matter?
We're letting this Nariatsu live?
Killing him would mean the end of the Abes.
- Chamberlain's order. - Shut up!
You should have finished the job.
You don't care but think about us.
Don't you know that his wife killed herself?
Is it true?
You're not the only ones to be in despair.
He's the most desperate person.
Hayato.
It's the chamberlain.
Chamberlain!
What do you have?
Hayato.
Forgive me.
It's official. Our fief...
is disbanded.
How?
Mizuno, the old fox, fooled me.
He plotted with chamberlain Gyobu.
I made a big mistake.
I didn't know how to be forgiven.
I had no other way
to express my deepest apologies...
Hold on!
Tatewaki!
Did you commit seppuku?
Forgive me.
It was to apologize to you.
Tatewaki!
My friend.
Rest in peace.
I swear to get Nariatsu's head.
Thank you.
Chamberlain!
Our destiny isn't fulfilled yet.
We must kill Nariatsu!
The vanity of one man destroyed the Abe clan.
Let's spit our hatred
on the government.
Get ready.
This time it's for real.
Give me your lives one more time.
We're with you.
Good.
We must attack them before the river.
It'll be over if they cross it.
- Understood? - Yes!
Keep the pace.
The river isn't far.
We can already see the river.
We'll be home after the river.
Patience, my lord!
Leave me alone!
I'm the one in charge!
I'll wait for the rain to stop.
Your life doesn't only belong to you.
What are you saying?
Don't you ever forget that you represent thousands of people.
And what if I tell you that I insist, at the risk of my life?
Go away! I don't need you.
Did they already cross?
No.
Over there!
Let's leave the horses.
There's about fifty of them.
First a frontal attack group. Show no mercy.
It will be a diversion.
It's a suicide attack.
Who wants to go?
Me.
I'll tie some powder bags to me and I'll throw myself in the fire.
Can you do that?
I'll kill about ten of them.
I'll come with you.
I want to go with them.
I'm counting on you.
Go untie the boats on the pontoon.
They'll probably go there.
And you, wait for them on the shore.
The others will make the second wave. And we'll attack from the back.
Nariatsu is our target.
You must only focus on him.
Go.
Nariatsu, you're gonna die!
Form a shield in front of the lord.
The rest of you, attack!
Don't scatter!
Stay here!
Stay around the lord!
Stay here!
Take the lord to the river.
This way!
Hurry up, here!
Todo!
This way, my lord!
I was waiting for you.
This way, my lord!
It's you, Hayato.
Mitamura.
I'm checking your identity.
Are you Nariatsu?
Impudent!
I'm the brother of the Shogun!
And I'm Hayato, former Oshi's vassal.
We must put an end to this ridiculous world.
Insolent!
Go away!
Guards! Help me!
Gyobu!
This affair hurt the central government.
Oshi fief disbanding wasn't a concern any longer.
Officially, Nariatsu died from an illness.
It was november the 25th of the Tempo era
THE END