Kill! (1968) [Film Review]

Kill!; or, The Last Boy Scout

     Win or lose, it won’t matter much...

This week’s review will be about not so popular and often underrated samurai film (or rather samurai comedy) called Kill!, directed by Kihachi Okamoto, with kick-ass Tatsuya Nakadai in the leading role.

Release Info

Directed by: Kihachi Okamoto Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Etsushi Takahashi, Shigeru Koyama, Yuriko Hoshi
Language: Japanese Original Title: 斬る Runtime: 115 min

Synopsis

Nakadai plays Genta, an ex-samurai who, disappointed with the deceptive and rotten samurai lifestyle, became a wandering yakuza (in the Edo period: protector of peddlers, armed with wakizashi sword). One day, on the desolated outskirts of Joshu Province, Genta meets a penniless farmer called Hanjiro (Etsushi Takahashi) and also several samurai of the local clan. Shortly afterwards, Genta witnesses an act of rebellion from the side of the samurai group, allegedly supported by the clan’s superior, Ayuzawa (Shigeru Kōyama), against their chancellor. However, it turns out that the superior only wanted to get rid of the chancellor quietly and now turns his back on the faithful samurai, calls them traitors, and sends other members of the clan to kill them. Due to an unfortunate course of events, Genta and Hanjiro end up on the opposite sides of the conflict, which leads to many hilarious situations.

(Anti-)Samurai Film

It should be mentioned that Kill! was based on a novel by Shugoro Yamamoto called Peaceful Days and, paradoxically, the book was also a primary source for Akira Kurosawa’s Sanjuro (1962). Thus, those who have seen both films can spot some similarities in the plot lines; however, both movies are contradictory with their messages. Sanjuro is more serious in tone and, although its main character is a masterless samurai, the movie in fact celebrates the samurai lifestyle. Yes, some samurai may be bad, but the resistance of a few good men can work miracles.

Whereas in Kill!, the case is completely opposite. From the very start, we have a strong critique of samurai. Sure, not all of them are villains, but the villains are so powerful that they can easily control the weak-minded idealists at the bottom. That is why the seven samurai get into trouble, because they are loyal, honourable and follow the code. Genta saw that tragic irony in his own clan and, therefore, chose to become a renegade. In addition, his friend Hanjiro blindly glorifies the samurai lifestyle, because he remembers how inefficient in a fight his fellow farmers were during the war. Genta constantly warns Hanjiro that “samurai are no good,” but the farmer refuses to believe him, even when considering the travesty of the situation the two have found themselves in.

What is more unique in Kill! is that, in contrast to other samurai films of its time, the overall tone of the movie is very comical. I would not say that the film can be classified as comedy per se, but it has noticeable undertones of subtle mockery and light humour, exemplified especially by the leading characters of Genta and Hanjiro. For instance, for most of the time Genta resorts to playing an absent-minded fool, which allows him to infiltrate enemy areas and stir things up. Hanjiro, on the other hand, tries to become a real samurai so hard that often screws up even the simplest tasks. Additionally, the farmer has exceptional muscle strength that only wears off after a an intimate encounter with a lady...

Tatsuya Nakadai may not be Toshiro Mifune but he does a flawless job as a disillusioned ex-samurai. Genta does not care for himself, but still has faith in the goodness of others and hence struggles to stop the vicious villain Ayzuwa from massacring innocent people. All in all, the message of the movie (at least in my opinion) is that it is better to be a shabby renegade than just a noble ronin. Then, not only will you provide sufficient justice but also find true friendship!

Recommendations

Apart from the comedy vibes, chanbara connoisseurs will not feel disappointed. Kill! is filled with lots of fighting sequences and some good action. When we add to this humour, engaging plot, and brilliant performances of Nakadai and Takahashi, the film will keep you entertained from beginning to the end. If you have already watched some of the samurai flicks and still have not seen Kill!, check it out now!

Overall score: 9/10