A SHOCHIKU PRODUCTION
THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI
Coproduced with SAMURAI PRODUCTIONS
Produced by GINICHI KISHIMOTO and TETSURO TAMBA
Screenplay by KEIICHI ABE, EIZABURO SHIBA and HIDEO GOSHA
Cinematography by TADASHI SAKAI
Edited by KAZUO OTA
Art Direction JUNICHI OSUMI
Starring:
TETSURO TAMBA
ISAMU NAGATO
MIKIJIRO HIRA
MIYUKI KUWANO
YOSHIKO KAYAMA KYOKO AOI
KAMATARI FUJIWARA TATSUYA ISHIGURO
HIASHI IGAWA ICHIRO IZAWA, JUN TATARA
TOSHIE KIMURA YOKO MIHARA
Directed by HIDEO GOSHA
Stay back or she dies!
What's going on?
She appears to be of high rank.
Kill me!
Did you rape her?
No, nothing like that.
The magistrate's daughter may look on us peasants as worms,
but even a worm has a soul!
Magistrate's daughter?
We took her hostage so we could command negotiation.
An appeal by force?
Due to a string of poor harvests, peasants are dying.
The magistrate won't even listen to our pleas.
I understand.
But even if the magistrate gives in and grants your plea,
you'll be punished for abducting his daughter.
We're prepared.
Even to die?
Peasants in eight villages are anxiously waiting for this to be resolved.
Please. Don't interfere.
For financial reasons, I was going to sleep outside,
but let me stay here tonight and I promise no trouble.
No, get out!
Three peasants against the magistrate, with a pretty girl just for interest.
Well, now that I'm here, I'll enjoy the show.
Damn you!
Fool! Keep your swords trained on the girl.
If you're not careful,
you'll lose your life for nothing.
Magistrate, sir!
Sir!
- We found your daughter. - You did?
Yes! In a mill near the bridge.
She's being held by three peasants: Jimbei, Gosaku and Yohachi.
Jimbei? Gosaku?
Is Aya safe?
They've abducted her to make an appeal.
For them, she's a valuable hostage.
They wouldn't dare harm her in any way.
Stupid peasants!
Everyone to the mill, at once.
Hurry!
Yasugoro!
To the mill. Hurry!
Kikyo!
Kikyo, the magistrate needs you. Let's go.
No need for me to go.
It's an emergency. This is what you're here for.
Fighting peasants is a waste of my skills.
That's more your job.
Tell that to the magistrate.
What will happen to Jimbei and the others?
They will most likely be beheaded.
Even if the mistress is released?
It makes no difference. Stupid peasants!
It won't help bring about reform.
Jimbei has been kind to me ever since I was a child.
Is there any way to save him?
I think not.
You won't last long if you don't calm down.
Shut up! You're not going to catch us off guard!
You're so suspicious.
So careful, and yet you leave the door unguarded.
Not very smart.
- Father! - Damn!
Again, not very smart,
all of you leaving the girl unguarded.
Gosaku, stay with the girl. Yohachi, the door.
Now that's better strategy.
Next thing is to eat.
Do you have any food here?
Don't be stupid.
How can you think of food at a time like this?
True, we can't fight if we're hungry.
There's some millet in the bucket.
Make some porridge.
They've come.
Father!
What'll we do?
Do what you want.
I'll watch the game from here.
Don't worry. Stay near the girl.
Stop!
Don't come any closer!
Peasants, release Aya immediately.
We refuse.
We won't return the girl until our appeal is heeded.
You think you're strong enough to see this to the end?
We know we'll be beheaded, so we'll take the girl with us.
Maybe that will help open the clan officials' eyes.
I understand.
Let's settle this now.
Your appeal will be given a fair hearing,
so set Aya free.
Do it promptly and you'll be pardoned.
Do you hear me?
What about our demands?
I don't want the whole clan to hear about this.
Return Aya. I won't punish you.
Does he really mean it?
What's so funny?
What's happened to your resolve? Afraid of being punished?
I suppose that's human nature.
Then why do you laugh?
Do you think for one minute you'll go unpunished?
Fear of death has weakened your resolve.
You doubt my father's word?
Believe your father if you wish,
but can the peasants trust him?
He's right.
Without our hostage, we have nothing.
We'll be killed just like dogs.
They've always deceived us...
with trickery!
It won't happen this time.
Idiots!
If you want Aya back, give us the clan's response!
Bring a written promise to reduce taxes,
signed by the lord himself!
Don't kill them! Capture them!
Guard this hostage with your lives.
The situation is as it was before.
Carry on.
Who are you?
A roving samurai named Sakon Shiba.
Why did you help the peasants?
No reason.
Perhaps because I spent a night under the same roof with them.
Kill him!
Magistrate, this may endanger Aya's life.
Let's leave for the time being.
We'll leave.
You said your name was Sakon Shiba? I won't forget you!
That's very kind.
But think instead of saving your own neck.
Magistrate.
Aya!
Go, go!
Peasants in eight villages are carefully watching the outcome.
This could lead to a rebellion.
Let's ask the clan for reinforcements.
And make my disgrace known to everyone?
No, this must be settled locally.
In ten days, the lord of our clan will be passing through this hamlet.
Shut up!
That's why this must be settled quickly.
Call Kikyo.
Heita.
Are these three men the burglars?
They killed two menservants.
They will surely be beheaded for that.
Why should we be beheaded just for killing a couple peasants?
Your sentences could be revoked.
Are you confident you could kill a skilled samurai?
He's asking if we're confident.
Has there been anyone we couldn't overcome together?
Kikyo. Take these three with you.
If they try to escape, cut them down.
So that's it.
A case of using poison to fight poison.
Let them out.
Hurry up!
Wait.
Who's that?
A vagabond samurai we caught for traveling without a pass.
What's his name?
I believe he said it was Kyojuro Sakura.
Is he a good swordsman?
We couldn't tell. He didn't put up any resistance.
Test him.
Get up!
What are you doing?
You execute people without even a trial?
Trial's over. Come out of the cell.
You letting me go already?
That's all right.
Let me stay a little longer.
Here there's a roof over my head...
and no worries about food.
Idiot!
This isn't a hotel.
We could provide better accommodations.
I must say that's generous of you.
You seem to have a lot of rice in your storehouse.
I feel hungry.
This won't last very long.
We will send them more.
Mosuke.
We drew lots. Don't say anything.
The mill is surrounded, isn't it? Be careful.
Don't worry. I'll slip through somehow.
Hey, mister.
Many thanks.
What's wrong?
Where's yours?
It's all right.
There was only a handful of millet left.
I'm sorry, but that's all there is.
Why didn't you tell me?
You must be hungry too.
We're used to being hungry.
You helped us. I'm sorry we can't offer more.
Why don't you eat?
Not appetizing?
For someone accustomed to a life of luxury,
it may be hard to believe people actually eat millet porridge.
Nevertheless...
though they don't even have enough to feed themselves...
they've offered this porridge to you.
Better have some.
Eat it!
Then maybe you'll realize why all this has happened.
Our guest seems to have had enough.
You can have the rest.
Do they disgust you?
I picked this up outside.
For better or for worse, I don't know.
But anyway, it brought me here.
Damn it! They're headed for the mill.
What made him do that? Reckless fellow.
Maybe he's a food thief.
Come on. Hurry up.
Yohachi, hand me my sword.
Are you going outside?
That's a group of tough-looking samurai.
It won't be like last time.
Five of them against us.
If it looks hopeless, forget about us.
Don't worry. I'm not about to risk my life.
When I leave, bolt the door behind me.
Watch the back, and guard the girl, all of you.
Understand?
If you kill that man, you'll get five ryo as a reward.
All right. I'll collect the reward.
Wait. Let me go first.
Not bad.
Are you a burglar too?
Don't be foolish.
That's one thing I've never tried.
Did you take this job for a reward, then?
Partly that, yes.
But you see,
when I meet a strong opponent,
I can't...
restrain myself!
Do you know why the magistrate wants me killed?
His daughter's been abducted.
The peasants did it because he wouldn't heed their appeal.
It's a case of three peasants fighting for justice.
Is what he says true?
Something like that.
What?
You knew that, and still you came?
I had to come.
I'm sponging off the magistrate, you know.
Damn it!
I quit.
I'm originally from a farm myself.
Starting now, I'm on the side of the peasants.
Traitor! You want to go back to jail?
Be quiet.
This country bumpkin samurai won't be going back there too easily.
No more jail for me. I'm moving into this mill.
How about it? Will you let me stay?
All right.
But we're facing a food shortage. I hope you don't mind.
I happened to pick up some food on the way.
That's great.
How about you, Mr. Freeloader?
Care to enjoy some porridge for a change?
No, thanks.
I prefer good food and wine, and plenty of it.
We've got a strong ally.
He's brought food.
Is that the girl?
Here's some food. Don't eat it all at once.
Say, isn't this Mosuke's wrapping cloth?
- Mosuke? - He's one of us.
A peasant?
Where'd you get this cloth?
Yes, where?
I found it.
Damn it!
It must have been the magistrate's mercenaries.
- Who's there? - It might be the magistrate's spy.
The magistrate's begun gathering roughnecks.
We must be careful.
Ten more mercenaries. That makes twelve in all.
They look rather thin. Are they strong?
We may be thin, but we're samurai. It's nothing to kill starving peasants.
Good.
Keep up your spirit and kill those peasants!
Be clever and make it look like the work of prowlers.
Sounds interesting.
The pay is two ryo?
You'll be paid when the job is done.
Be on your way.
I have a different task for you.
Go fetch a certain woman from the Ume.
A woman?
We'll use a hostage too.
I'll teach those peasants a lesson.
"THE UME"
You found her so quickly, ma'am. I'm amazed.
Send a fox to catch a fox.
It cost a lot of money to buy her back.
Tell the magistrate.
Get the palanquin.
This is Gosaku's daughter, who was sold to a brothel three years ago.
You're from a farm too.
Traitor!
Selling farm girls is my business.
Even among farm girls,
those who sell and those who are sold come from different stock.
Dog! Dirty snake!
What?
Damn it! Bitch!
How dare you!
Stop! She's a hostage!
Just look at what she's done.
The palanquin is ready.
- Take the girl and leave. - But-
- Go. - Very well.
Bitch.
It's Father's writing.
What does it say?
"This samurai's name is Kyojuro Sakura."
"He's on our side, along with Sakon Shiba."
"Do whatever he says."
That's not right.
I didn't come to give anyone orders.
I offered to maintain communication between you and the mill.
We're most grateful for your help.
Thank you.
How is Oine? Has she recovered from her illness?
She's so determined to avenge her husband's death that she got up from her sickbed.
Oine, you shouldn't be here.
I intend to follow my husband and die too.
What are you saying?
But...
I won't die
until the man who slew my husband...
You see, Oine...
I mean to say...
In other words, it's just that...
If I can be of any help,
please let me know.
Sakura!
Who are you?
What have you got against the peasants?
Crushing worthless worms requires no explanation.
What? Worthless worms?
What do you think you are?
Vermin with two sticks you call swords.
Very well.
No need to waste words on vermin like you.
I'll just destroy you.
Oine.
- Are you all right? - Sakura!
You will continue to help us, won't you?
Of course.
I'm ready to risk my life for your cause.
Ouch! That hurts!
It's me!
Let me in!
Who do you think you are?
The magistrate has hired more killers.
If he makes it look like prowlers attacking the peasants,
he'll have an excuse for this mess.
The lord passes through here in four days.
And the magistrate is worried.
How many fighters?
Ten to fifteen, I think. Something like that.
As long as the three of us continue to hold out,
they'll never be able to overcome the peasants.
This is our petition to the lord. We put our hearts into it!
You in there! We've got something for Gosaku.
Show your face.
I'm Gosaku. What do you want?
Father!
Yasu!
Father!
What are you doing with Yasu?
We're going to show you how we treat dogs.
Watch this!
Damn it!
Wait!
Stop!
Yasu!
Wait a minute.
I'll kill them.
I'll see that every one of them dies.
Hey, freeloader, why don't you stop them?
How can you just stand there?
You can stop them.
Just return Aya.
We will. Just don't torture Yasu anymore!
Then send Aya outside.
Gosaku!
No, Father! You need her to save the peasants.
Let them kill me!
Yasu!
She's bitten off her tongue.
What are you doing?
Keep away or I'll kill her!
Stop!
Have you gone mad?
I'll treat her like they treated Yasu.
Keep back!
Leave Gosaku alone.
Are you out of your mind? This will ruin all your efforts.
Never mind. It's too much. We can't endure this anymore.
That's right! One step closer and she dies!
Stop it!
You're acting like animals now.
I can't leave her here.
What will you do with her?
There's only one thing to do.
We'll let her go.
But promise that the peasants will not be punished.
- Otherwise the girl stays. - Wait!
You promise?
This is no small incident.
If we don't punish those criminals, we'll lose all credibility.
We must punish them in some way.
How?
A hundred strokes with a club.
I'll take them.
Shiba, don't let him fool you.
Punish me and let the peasants go.
Very well.
I promise not to punish the peasants.
Magistrate, you're a samurai. I, too, am a samurai.
This is a promise made between samurai.
I understand.
Everyone here is a witness.
Be sure to send him back safely.
I promise that too.
We've made a pledge as samurai.
Why should you be willing to do such a thing?
These peasants risked their lives.
A samurai can do no less.
68.
69.
70.
Father, stop it. He's had enough.
This is too cruel.
I did as you asked. He won't be executed.
He's the one who saved me. Please, stop them.
Aya, behave yourself.
If Mother were still alive, she would make you stop too.
This is justice.
Father!
Consider your rank.
Aya!
Shiba...
Throw him in the tank.
- But... - Take him away!
Carry him.
What a fool!
Magistrate, you lied!
Wasn't this a promise between samurai?
Slay the three peasants.
Didn't you promise to let them go free?
Shiba's in the tank. He'll die soon.
What's a promise with a dead man?
But wasn't it a promise between samurai?
He's no samurai.
- But that's... - It's for the best!
Those scheming peasants must die.
I can't use my own men for this. The job's yours.
I'll reward you.
Well? Will you do it?
We could use the money.
Get the petition.
Petition?
They plan to appeal directly to the lord.
We'll do it.
We're sorry. Please forgive us.
Can't you find it?
Never mind.
Petition or no petition,
it won't make the slightest difference.
Well done. Where's the petition?
Rest assured. We have it.
Let me have it.
It can't be handed over so easily.
We put it in a safe place. It's not here.
- A paltry sum won't do. - What?
We could attach the petition to Jimbei's body
and display it when the lord passes this way.
Still, it's not our intention to be unreasonable.
How much do you want?
A nice round sum. A hundred ryo.
All right, then.
I'll pay you here tonight.
We'd prefer a less conspicuous place.
I see.
It'll be taken to the forest.
- By whom? - Two of my men.
We'll be beaten to death.
Eventually we'll all be killed.
We may talk big, but we're still just peasants.
Are you giving up the fight?
You accept this?
We must bow to fate.
What a thing to say!
What did Jimbei die for?
Shiba has been cruelly deceived.
What is he suffering for?
Aren't you angry?
I'm going to the magistrate's place.
You're going alone?
One man's enough.
I can't let Shiba die.
I must rescue him.
Sakura!
Wait!
Don't go alone.
It's like giving yourself up to be killed.
Nevertheless, I must go.
If you should die, I...
Oine! You see...
It's like this...
Oine, I'm the one who killed your husband.
Please, Oine.
Forgive me.
You have to!
Forgive me!
Please, Oine, please forgive me!
Are you the magistrate's messengers?
Yes, he sent us.
And his message?
"Kill!"
What? Who are you?
Gods of death.
You're in a sorry state.
I've never seen a fool like you.
So you think you saved the peasants?
Satisfied you've done a good deed?
Meanwhile, those three peasants have been killed.
Jimbei and his friends have been murdered.
What did you say?
Those hired samurai killed them.
Is that true?
That's why I say you're a fool.
Quiet! Be quiet, will you?
Don't cry out.
Sorry. Please be quiet.
Don't be afraid.
Just look at my face.
Look at my face!
It should tell you whose side I'm on.
Did you know those three peasants were killed?
Jimbei's dead?
That's right.
That liar of a magistrate murdered them.
That's how he is.
I've come to save the samurai in the torture cell.
I'm risking my life to rescue him.
I hope you'll understand.
Magistrate! I'm here to avenge the peasants!
Where are you? Show yourself!
Come out!
Are you Shiba? Sakura's waiting for you by the back gate.
Get the key.
Woman!
A little further.
Hang on.
Just a few inches more.
Don't give up.
You won't get far in your condition.
That mill is your best bet.
Woman!
What?
Shiba!
Shiba! Hurry!
Have no fear, Shiba. You'll be safe in this room.
Thank you.
Leave by the back gate later.
Aya.
Why?
Defying your father...
and hiding me like this?
Why did you do so much to help the peasants?
- Did you find him? - No.
Go that way.
Now's your chance.
Hurry.
I'm grateful to you, Aya.
Why are you helping me?
I don't know.
It's just...
I see people differently now.
I see my father differently.
I even see the world differently.
I wish I could go away with you.
Aya.
Good-bye.
We're almost there.
A strange destiny.
This is like our home now.
Quite so.
We won't be in the way here.
Two stray dogs.
This is a fine kennel.
Does it hurt?
A wet towel should soothe it. I'll go get some water.
This is Jimbei's petition.
It must have floated down from somewhere.
This was Jimbei's resolve.
He was determined to accomplish this task.
You did a good job.
Accept the reward.
Kurahashi.
Your information saved me from paying out one
hundred ryo for a petition they didn't have.
What about the petition?
I think the peasants may have it.
Then again, it may be in Shiba's possession.
The lord is passing through in two days.
Ouchi is coming tomorrow to prepare for the lord's procession.
Dispose of the remaining three by then.
Excuse me.
What are you thinking about?
Kikyo?
Maki!
I had hoped...
with you...
So, you've come.
So you were here. I'm joining you.
I thought you liked luxury. Did you change your mind?
I've had enough of his food. He set his mad dogs on me.
You've become a vagabond like me?
The clan's best swordsman, Ouchi, will be coming to this district tomorrow.
It won't be easy for the magistrate.
It won't be easy for us either.
Where will you go now?
Wherever suits me best.
The trouble is, you calculate the gains and losses too much.
You don't calculate enough.
Try some of our potato porridge.
It's me.
I thought you might be here at the mill.
My group's been wiped out.
I can't let the magistrate live any longer.
You escaped?
That's right.
The sole survivor.
Let me stay with you from now on.
All right.
Porridge will be ready soon.
I hear the magistrate's searching for a petition.
A petition?
I have it.
Why would the sole survivor go back to the magistrate?
Who, me?
Oine?
I thought you would come.
You came to see Oine, didn't you?
Where is she?
Will you come with me?
Where's Oine?
Whether she lives or dies depends on me.
Take me to her.
Stop that!
Where's the petition?
I don't know.
What do you think you're doing? She doesn't know anything.
She'll talk.
But she...
We'll make her talk.
Wait!
Wait.
Oine doesn't know where it is.
Does that mean you do?
Where?
Tell us and we'll let you both go.
In addition, you'll receive a reward of five ryo.
You can go somewhere and start a new life.
You love her, don't you?
Tell us!
Tell us.
Nothing must happen to disturb the procession of the lord.
If anyone tries to, he'll be slain.
Don't try to explain.
You can't even handle a few samurai and peasants?
You're incompetent.
You don't need to appear to greet the lord.
I'll take care of the samurai in the mill myself.
Look.
They're coming.
Shall we?
Halt!
Make ready.
The fools.
Attack!
Withdraw!
Lure them out. Set it on fire.
Let's go on, Sakura.
I feel ashamed.
It couldn't be helped.
Nevertheless, I think I should-
No, you mustn't. Let's go. You said you'd make me happy.
And I meant it, but I've got to-
Please. Let's go on together. Don't leave me alone.
No. I was about to desert a friend.
Sakura! I can't live without you.
Oine,
try to be happy.
Sakura!
I love you!
Don't advance too far! Withdraw!
Don't chase after them!
Come back!
Scatter!
Kikyo.
You know what?
I like you.
Fool.
Understand?
Go!
Break your swords on them! Smash them!
Understand?
Attack!
Shiba!
Hey, Shiba!
I've done you wrong.
Shiba, I deserve to die! Kill me!
I'm busy at the moment.
In that case, leave this to me.
Not bad for stray dogs.
Who wants to die first?
I'll take him on.
Better let me do it.
I'm the least tired among us.
Wait.
This started with me.
I'll finish it.
What is it? What's wrong?
Sakura.
Look after Kikyo.
What are you going to do?
Shiba!
I'll meet you later by the statue.
Where are you going?
Look.
This is Jimbei's petition.
Take it to the lord.
There's still time.
What's the matter?
This is your chance.
What's wrong?
Remember Jimbei!
If you seek a better life, this is your chance.
Don't waste it.
Afraid to risk your lives?
Aren't you ashamed before Jimbei and the others?
How about you?
Will you go?
Will you?
Go!
Take this.
Go!
Take the petition!
Wait!
Die!
Suffer like your victims did.
Wait! Don't kill me!
Help!
Peasants are human beings too.
Remember, even roving samurai are human beings!
- Wait! - Shut up!
Wait!
- Spare him! - Out of the way.
- Please! - I said out of the way!
For his victims' sake, I can't allow him to live.
Please!
Move, or I'll kill you!
Kill me, then.
No matter what he's done, I'm still his daughter.
Let the lord see your disgrace.
Let the peasants see your disgrace!
Where will you go?
How about yourself?
Might as well let this decide.
THE END