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Poster for When the Last Sword Is Drawn

When the Last Sword Is Drawn

Seen it?

2003 | 137 min | Action, Drama, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for action fans and history buffs. If you loved The Bridge on the River Kwai or Empire of the Sun, start here.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 17 min.
What might put you off
It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Kanichiro Yoshimura is a samurai and family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the low pay he receives from his small-town clan. He is forced by his love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $2 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 10K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Yojiro Takita

  • Kiichi NakaiKanichiro Yoshimura
  • Koichi SatoHajime Saito
  • Yui NatsukawaShizu / Mitsu
  • Takehiro MurataChiaki Ono
  • Miki NakataniNui
  • Yuji MiyakeJiroemon Ohno
  • Masato SakaiOkita Soji
  • Atsushi ItoYoung Chiaki Ono
  • Ryo KaseShûhei Kondô
  • Keisuke HoribeYasunoshin Shinohara