Superficially, The Sword of Doom might be classified as an “action” film, but it’s also a character study. And, strangely, while its subject is unlikable, he’s wholly fascinating.
While browsing Criterion Collection titles at my local Barnes and Noble, a fellow shopper recommended The Sword of Doom. His opinion was totally unsolicited but I entertained him by looking at the cover. I am by no means knowledgeable about samurai films but the synopsis on the back of the Blu-ray sounded compelling enough. I recognized Toshiro Mifune’s name. So, I figured I’d try something new and I bought it.
The plot description read something to the effect of “a swordsman who kills without remorse or mercy leads a life that ultimately turns to madness.” That swordsman, Ryunosuke Tsukue (Tatsuya Nakadai,) is a samurai who knows he is gifted with a blade. Confident and cruel, he uses his talents to kill at almost any opportunity. Challenging other samurai to combat provides little challenge.
When Ryunosuke is set to face Bunnojo Utsuki (Ichiro Nakatani) in a tournament, Utsuki’s wife, Hyoma (Yuzo Kayama) begs Ryunosuke to let her husband win. She says she’ll do anything to get him to throw the match. So, the soulless Ryunosuke takes her up on her offer and rapes her. When Utsuki discovers his wife’s infidelity, he immediately divorces her. He later attempts to kill Ryunosuke in their duel but is fatally dispatched. Utsuki’s death puts into motion an intricate series of events which culminate in The Sword of Doom’s unforgettable final reel.
I’ll be honest. As someone who is not at all familiar with the overall history — much less the finer points — of the shogunate era of Japan, there were many times when I found the film hard-to-follow. But, once it was over, those little details did not prevent me from understanding the story. Superficially, The Sword of Doom might be classified as an “action” film, but it’s also a character study. And, strangely, while its subject is unlikable, he’s wholly fascinating.
Watching The Sword of Doom can be compared to watching a train wreck in slow motion. Each fatal stroke of his blade pushes Ryunosuke closer to the edge of sanity. Tatsuya Nakadai is nearly flawless in his depiction of the nihilistic samurai. Most notably, his haunted eyes and deliberate body movements reflect the dual threat of a man possessed as well as extremely powerful. Even his smile, while rarely seen, indicates that his psyche is damaged. Coupled with Kihachi Okamoto’s kinetic direction, effective but simple set design, and Hiroshi Murai’s impeccable cinematography, Nakadai’s performance is unforgettable.
Unfortunately, The Sword of Doom was conceived as part of a trilogy that never materialized. As a result, some story elements are left unresolved. It’s a minor annoyance but it does render at least a quarter of the movie unnecessary.
Yes, Toshiro Mifune does indeed appear in the film. It’s a small but ultimately pivotal role as a samurai who provides a glimpse of what Ryunosuke could have been had he chosen a more virtuous path.
The Sword of Doom isn’t a movie I’d have sought out on my own. I’m glad I took the advice of a random stranger and added it to my movie collection. And, now, I pass that recommendation on to you.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
