A personal favourite of mine for many years this movie involves a highly trained old samurai (Mifune) during times of peace who has been in a loveless marrage of convenience for many years. Due to social circumstances his son is forced to accept the rejected wife of the Shogun as his own wife as a favour. His father initially complains about this (as he himself did this many years ago). His son initially rejects this woman at first but slowly he falls in love with her and vice versa. However, his wife is later forced to return to her former husband and the father (Mifune) stands up to defend his sons honour and love for this woman, opening old wounds from his own loveless marriage. A complicated will they? wont they? style movie with a energetic final battle as the father and son stand up to an army of soldiers, determined to not let his wife be taken away. Emotional and violent. They dont make them like this anymore. Highly recommended!