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Bookmark this pageLove and Honour (2008)
Director: Yoji Yamada
Movie review
From Time Out London
Japanese journeyman Yamada achieved late recognition with his 2002 costume drama ‘Twilight Samurai’, and he’s now rounded that film out into a trilogy, all sourced from the same prolific novelist Shuhei Fujisawa – and all dealing with low-level samurai facing crises in the waning days of Japanese feudalism. Here, former pop star Takuya Kimura proves adequate as the food-taster who saves his lord from death by toxic shellfish yet is blinded in the process. Unemployment and poverty loom, and the situation’s exacerbated when a scheming official takes advantage of his loyal wife (Rei Dan). How can a blind man effect revenge? It’s a satisfying story, played out in decorous period surroundings of the classic warrior tale but Yamada’s 79th film lacks any hint of surprise or excitement.Author: Trevor Johnston
Time Out London Issue 1999, Dec 11 - 17, 2008
Cast & crew
Director: Yoji Yamada
Cast: Takuya Kimura, Rei Dan, Mitsugoro Bando full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 122 mins
UK Release: Dec 12 2008
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