AnimEigo
Director: Kon Ichikawa
Writers: Daisuke Itô (adaptation), Teinosuke Kinugasa (adapt)
Stars: Kazuo Hasegawa, Fujiko Yamamoto and Ayako Wakao
(From imdb.com)

What they say: Kon Ichikawa’s powerful story focuses on a female impersonator in a 19th-century kabuki troupe who takes the matter of revenge in his own hands when he attempts to murder three men responsible for the death of his parents. The film features a superb performance from Kazuo Hasegawa in the lead. AKA: “An Actor’s Revenge.” 113 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English. In Japanese with English subtitles.

What I say: Revenge of a Kabuki Actor is perhaps one of the most lush films I have ever seen. The colors are vibrant and fantastic. The entire film is structured like a Kabuki play and this gives the film a unique and very Japanese feel. The performances are all incredible as is the camera work and the direction is flawless.

A female impersonator spots the three men who were responsible for his parents deaths in an audience of their play. He then concocts his revenge, one he has waited on for over 20 years. As he moves toward his goal, things become complicated. Add in a group of thieves and that keeps the story moving and the film does a great job of making you care for the characters and what happens to them. This is truly a unique and stunning film and one I cannot recommend enough!

Film: 9/10
DVD: 9/10
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!