Sanjo is a senior figure within the house of the high commission. When he hears a cry of murder he wakes and rushes outside of the city walls where he kills a ninja and recovers the stolen seal of his employer. However when no ninja body can be found, he is arrested for the crime himself and sentenced to death. He demands his own sword to allow him to do the honourable thing but a note from the lovely Saki stays his hand until he has heard what she has to say.
Although this is very much a genre homage rather than a strong film in its own right, it is still an effective Japanese short film or at least, Japanese in style since it is actually British. The plot is one of honour and betrayal within period Japan and the plot has just enough going for it to keep things moving without ever threatening to engage in a complex or detailed story. The action scenes are OK but the lack of budget shows in how simple the moves up, however this is covered by the atmosphere and feel of the whole film. Boothby may well not be doing his own thing but this acts as an effective homage to the genre and he directs it well to produce a great look and some nice touches with blood spray and such. The accusation of homage is not necessarily a complaint though Kill Bill I & II lacked its own voice but everyone seemed to be clamouring to love those films maybe this will have the same appeal? Overall, a nice genre homage that is worth seeing on that basis even if the plot, acting and action are not all they could have been.
Although this is very much a genre homage rather than a strong film in its own right, it is still an effective Japanese short film or at least, Japanese in style since it is actually British. The plot is one of honour and betrayal within period Japan and the plot has just enough going for it to keep things moving without ever threatening to engage in a complex or detailed story. The action scenes are OK but the lack of budget shows in how simple the moves up, however this is covered by the atmosphere and feel of the whole film. Boothby may well not be doing his own thing but this acts as an effective homage to the genre and he directs it well to produce a great look and some nice touches with blood spray and such. The accusation of homage is not necessarily a complaint though Kill Bill I & II lacked its own voice but everyone seemed to be clamouring to love those films maybe this will have the same appeal? Overall, a nice genre homage that is worth seeing on that basis even if the plot, acting and action are not all they could have been.