# The Hidden Blade (2004)

> A compassionate samurai faces caste prejudice, political betrayal, and a deadly order to kill his oldest friend as feudal Japan begins to modernize.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/21272

## Facts

- Runtime: 132 min
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Director: Yoji Yamada
- Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Tomoko Tabata, Chieko Baisho, Kunie Tanaka, Sachiko Mitsumoto
- TMDB rating: 7.4/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442286/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: slow
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: moderate
- Mood: austere, wistful, intimate, quiet evening, historical cinema night

## Synopsis

In a time of upheaval, honor and love collide in a world of samurai tradition.

## Movies like The Hidden Blade

- [New Tale of Zatoichi (1963)](https://ember.film/movie/11149)
- [The Sword of Doom (1966)](https://ember.film/movie/11990)
- [Love and Honor (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/12377)
- [Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)](https://ember.film/movie/19616)
- [Three Outlaw Samurai (1964)](https://ember.film/movie/40506)
- [The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)](https://ember.film/movie/10078)
- [Samurai Rebellion (1967)](https://ember.film/movie/16210)
- [Gate of Hell (1953)](https://ember.film/movie/28205)
- [Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)](https://ember.film/movie/19618)
- [Taboo (1999)](https://ember.film/movie/12433)

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