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The alchemy that would occur when the dynamic element of Mifune’s raw talent was combined with the base elements of imaginative and powerful film directors most often resulted in a fission that produced lasting and immovable classics of cinema. The Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Stray Dog, Yojimbo, The Hidden Fortress, The Samurai Trilogy…all still heralded as pinnacles of the filmmaking craft generations after their production. But just behind these popular and prolific masterpieces lies an enormous collection of lesser known works that are no less relevant to the chanbara (samurai) and the greater jidaigeki (period films) genres. Shinsengumi is one such film. Depicting a pivotal moment in Japan’s history and a historical story that is both treated with reverence and methodically examined for its patriotic lessons and cautionary message, Shinsengumi details a Japan caught in the tumultuous throws of change. As Western influence began to seep its way through Japan’s streets one shipload of top hats, firearms and Bibles at a time, the proud nation found itself being torn in two. While some began to push aside the strict rigidity of a society virtually unchanged in thousands of years to embrace a culture which promised to cast off its “oppressive” ideals, others saw only a destruction of a proud nation and an unnecessary and obtrusive interference from barbarian foreigners. Add to all of this general unrest a major shift in the ruling class and government of Japan and you have a powder keg of emotions which threatened to destroy the country as a whole. As acts of violence and protest broke out across the major cities of Japan, a temporary police force was put in place; primarily to protect traveling shoguns. Out of that organization was formed the Shinsengumi (lit. newly chosen group), a police force tasked with keeping order amongst those who violently opposed the Western influx. True believers in the established Shogunate, many of the Shinsengumi shifted their focus from simply protecting their countrymen from themselves to actively expelling Westerners and those that would stand with them. In the city of Kyoto, Isami Kondo was the last of the Shinsengumi leaders to dig in his heels and remain true to his original duties…protecting those within his city. While his peers were committing their own acts of treachery and abusing the power under their control, Kondo set about cleaning up not only the city he loved so much but the Shinsengumi force itself. But with half of the country against him, and more than half of his own group seeing him as an unyielding antique, Kondo would not find success so easily. The country he once belonged to wholeheartedly was on the verge of collapse and his ever attempt to prevent this led only to greater sorrow for his men and himself. Like so many stories of honor and duty, Kondo’s story would be both a tragedy and a tale of heroic selflessness. Kondo exemplifies the ideals of bushido and the staunch moral code that had guided Japan for so very long, but while one man might chose to stand against the tide…he very rarely comes out without drowning. Under the hands of a more skilled director, the role of Isami Kondo could have ranked amongst Mifune’s most important and dramatic works. As it stands, director Tadashi Sawashima manages merely to tell a beloved folk story, staying historically accurate and casting his subjects in a realistic and honest light. Mifune brings much of the same seriousness to this character that we are used to, but is never asked to reach into those wild-eyed emotional outbursts or that intense bag of stares that can back an audience into their seats. Without the proper direction leading him to fully showcase his talents, Mifune’s inclusion wouldn’t bring Shinsengumi the sort of critical success that perhaps could have been; however, the importance of the historical events depicted have ensured Shinsengumi a place in the “must see” category of Japanese cinema. As always, AnimEigo has presented this classic with better than expected audio and visual results. While, at times, this digital remastering still leaves a little to be desired in the clarity department, the film is overall very clean and avoids the plague of most chanbara film releases by being bright enough. Of course, those wonderful (and still best in the business) subtitles by AnimEigo are present; helpfully translating not only the dialog, but signage and text as well…and still dropping in bits of language and cultural trivia to help Western audiences understand what is occurring on screen. The story of the Shinsengumi has spawned television shows, books, anime series, video games, action figures and more, and has been told on screen more than a few times. Still, with its directorial failings, Sawashima’s version stands as my favorite. It may not get blood n’ guts samurai fans on their feet, and it won’t satiate your craving for badass that only full-bore Toshiro Mifune can fill, but Shinsengumi is important enough to see; and I believe quality enough to own. Of course, I’d be remiss to not give a tip of the hat to AnimEigo for continuing to procure and release the stuff that we not only want to see…but need to see also. -aaron-
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