A ★★★½ review of Sword of Desperation (2010) (original) (raw)

More_Badass’s review published on Letterboxd:

My first Fujisawa adaptation. While I tend to prefer samurai films either seething, western-influenced, or batshit bloody, Sword of Desperation kept me engaged throughout. A low-key solemn jidaigeki of exploited loyalty and clan scheming, starting with a sudden assassination and slowly layering on nuance, backstory, and consequences across the years that follow. No particularly standout performances, with everyone effectively carrying the drama as needed. The very deliberate pace and understated melancholic tone make the final act’s pair of impressively well-staged, grueling, and brutal swordfights even more surprising.