# When the Last Sword Is Drawn (2003)

> A financially desperate samurai enters the Shinsengumi and struggles to reconcile family devotion with loyalty during Japan’s turbulent regime change.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/8546

## Facts

- Runtime: 137 min
- Genres: Action, Drama, History
- Director: Yojiro Takita
- Cast: Kiichi Nakai, Koichi Sato, Yui Natsukawa, Takehiro Murata, Miki Nakatani, Yuji Miyake, Masato Sakai, Atsushi Ito
- TMDB rating: 7.4/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359692/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: moderate
- Mood: solemn, melancholic, compassionate, historical drama night, samurai cinema marathon

## Synopsis

A gripping tale of honor and sacrifice unfolds as a samurai struggles to provide for his family amidst turmoil.

## Movies like When the Last Sword Is Drawn

- [Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)](https://ember.film/movie/19616)
- [The Last Samurai (2003)](https://ember.film/movie/494)
- [Love and Honor (2006)](https://ember.film/movie/12377)
- [Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno (2014)](https://ember.film/movie/127658)
- [Taboo (1999)](https://ember.film/movie/12433)
- [Harakiri (1962)](https://ember.film/movie/8600)
- [Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954)](https://ember.film/movie/19615)
- [13 Assassins (2010)](https://ember.film/movie/40489)
- [Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)](https://ember.film/movie/61091)
- [The Hidden Blade (2004)](https://ember.film/movie/21272)

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