Chushingura

Hiroshi Inagaki's 1962 epic Chushingura is based on an oft retold (and filmed) dawn-of-the-18th-century true story about 47 loyal samurai retainers who--at great personal cost and dedication--avenge their wronged lord (who is forced to commit hari kari after taking a few knife swipes at a crotchety old corrupt official). Beautifully filmed in TohoScope (widescreen), Chushingura is often called Japan's Gone With the Wind, which perhaps explains why the Japanese rank company loyalty so high, while Americans seem to have an inordinate fondness for soap operas. Although extra-less, and presented in Dolby Digital mono, the picture is sharp with solid color. Recommended. (R. Pitman)