The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence

1960 · 102 min · ★ 5.7 · Action, Drama, History

The stormy tale of the Shinsengumi is told from its birth by master filmmaker Sasaki Yasushi, with an all-star cast based on the original story by Shirai Kyoji. The battles between the royalists and Shogunate supporters come to a fever pitch during the Gion Festival as the exclusionists plot to burn Kyoto and kidnap the Emperor. From its earliest beginnings as a group of ronin brought from Edo to protect the Shogun when he is in Kyoto to see His Imperial Highness, the group had to face difficulties both from within and without. Commander Serizawa Kamo's corrupt practices threaten the group's very existence, as they try to recover from the bad reputation he left them with. Their redemption comes when they learn of Katsura Kogoro plans to gather men at Kyoto's Ikedaya Inn for his attack on the city. Along with Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Soji, Kondo leads the group in an attempt to save Japan from the rebels.

Directed by Yasushi Sasaki · Written by Yoshitake Hisa

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Toei On Demand Amazon Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 16m together

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence

The Shogun’s Guard, Shinsengumi

Both from Yasushi Sasaki.

More from Yasushi SasakiSee all →

Heiji, the DetectiveHeiji, the Detective · 1966
Heiji, the Detective
★ 10.01966
Series
Protecting the peace of the Edo Period is the fictitious but cool plainclothes detective they call Boss Heiji, Zenigata Heiji. A friend of the people, he hates corruption and will not take any kind of bribe, which means he lives in total poverty and sometimes it takes two months just to come up with the rent. The ones there to help Heiji are his old, but comical friend, Hachigoro and his beloved wife, O-Shizu. O-Shizu, who always sends Heiji off after a "kiribi" (good-luck purification), is the one supporting Heiji and his heart... it is for O-Shizu's sake that he's tried to hold back on his "coin tossing" and be thrifty.
Case of a Young Lord 8Case of a Young Lord 8 · 1960
Case of a Young Lord 8
★ 9.01960
MovieActionDrama
A family is brutally murdered in their own home and the official government's sake dealer is framed as a rebel by a corrupt member of the Shogun's Council of Elders. Young Lord decides to take on the Shogun's vile chief attendant.
A Prisoner in Search of DaughterA Prisoner in Search of Daughter · 1963
A Prisoner in Search of Daughter
★ 9.01963
Movie
The Shogun’s Guard, ShinsengumiThe Shogun’s Guard, Shinsengumi · 1958
The Shogun’s Guard, Shinsengumi
★ 8.01958
MovieAction
The Shinsengumi is a special unit of ronin commissioned by the Tokugawa shogunate to counter anti-shogunate activities in Kyoto. A sinister plot to overthrow the shogun is set in motion and Kondo Isami and his fellow samurai must answer the call and expose those behind it.
Street of Wandering MenStreet of Wandering Men · 1963
Street of Wandering Men
★ 8.01963
MovieActionDrama
When a group of men from the Hanya clan search his town for a missing geisha, a brave ronin decides to help her and a drunken calligrapher. In doing so, he uncovers a wider scheme.
The Blacksmith of the ForestThe Blacksmith of the Forest · 1929
The Blacksmith of the Forest
★ 8.01929
MovieDrama
A blacksmith is chased out of the village by the sinister village chief and forced to move to the forest with his wife and two sons. The blacksmith's younger son is disabled, and the other children in the village tease him. The older son aspires to become a doctor in order to fix his brother's leg. The film depicts the bond between a father and his sons. Only 18 minutes survive.
Happily Tied to the RoadHappily Tied to the Road · 1959
Happily Tied to the Road
★ 7.51959
MovieDrama
With flashing swordwork and a terrific story, wandering gambler Kusama Hanjiro inspires the wrath of Boss Jirotaro who has been terrorizing travelers along the route through his territory. When Hanjiro steps in to gamble with him one-on-one it leads to a deadly vendetta that will show no mercy. Along the way Hanjiro is called upon to help sisters with no one else to depend on. Will the feud end in tragedy, or can the honest wanderer prevail against the bloodlust of an angry yakuza boss whom he had scarred for life?
Mr. Thank YouMr. Thank You · 1936
Mr. Thank You
★ 7.11936
MovieDramaComedy
In Depression-era Japan, a courteous bus driver carries an eclectic group of passengers from the mountainous Izu to Tokyo.
Official with a TattooOfficial with a Tattoo · 1960
Official with a Tattoo
★ 6.51960
MovieDrama
Kinnosuke of Toyama sets out on a private mission to clear his father’s name for a crime he did not commit.
Japanese Girls at the HarborJapanese Girls at the Harbor · 1933
Japanese Girls at the Harbor
★ 6.31933
MovieDramaRomance
Set in the port city of Yokohama, two girls, Sunako and Dora who attend a Christian school, pledge to be friends. But when a youth named Henry appears on his motorcycle and offers to take Sunako for a ride, we know that this friendship won't last and that the lives of both girls will change in ways they are barely able to comprehend, and can do little to change.
A Spectacular ShowdownA Spectacular Showdown · 1959
A Spectacular Showdown
★ 6.31959
MovieAction
One of the great stories from Japan’s rich history comes to life in this true tale of the bloody showdown between two rival yakuza gangs in the 1840’s. The battle between Boss Sukegoro of Iioka and Boss Shigezo of Sasagawa has been portrayed many times, most notably in the first Zatoichi film, where the blind man befriends the tubercular ronin Hirate Miki, before cutting him down in one of the great duels in cinema history. This all-star extravaganza pulls out all the stops, with appearances by virtually all of the great actors and actresses from Toei’s studio at the time. Ichikawa Utaemon’s portrayal of the kind-hearted, noble yakuza boss Shigezo of Sasagawa contrasts sharply with the devious Sukegoro of Iioka. Corrupt as he may have been, his men were all willing to give up their lives for him.
The Lady and the BeardThe Lady and the Beard · 1931
The Lady and the Beard
★ 6.01931
MovieRomanceComedy
Graduate Okajima finds his old-fashioned beard makes life difficult in a comedy exploring the tension between tradition and modernity.
Detective DuelDetective Duel · 1958
Detective Duel
★ 6.01958
Movie
A friendly rivalry turns into romance for Yukiko, an elite female detective, and a handsome private eye named Mitamura while both are investigating the missing person's case from a wealthy family.
Law in Ghost IslandLaw in Ghost Island · 1961
Law in Ghost Island
★ 6.01961
MovieAdventure
Upon his arrival to Dragon Island, ronin Yagi Hanzo, is propositioned by various shady individuals representing rival gangs to lend his services to them. Branded an enemy for his refusal to become involved with either side, he soon finds himself caught up in an intrigue extending beyond petty gang rivalries, involving a plot by Daimyo in Kyoto to overthrow the government.
Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji ConspiracyBored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy · 1959
Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy
★ 6.01959
MovieDrama
Master swordsman and loyal vassal Saotome Mondonosuke goes on a mission to find a missing princess.
Benten KozoBenten Kozo · 1960
Benten Kozo
★ 6.01960
MovieDramaAction
Orphaned Kiku was raised at a Buddhist temple and learned theatrical arts and martial arts as a child, which were used to put on stage productions to raise money for the temple, but also to display young lads who were essentially for sale to the highest bidder. When Kiku gets fed up with how the temple uses the orphans and wants to leave he gets accused of a double murder and has to flee for his life and liberty.

More Like This

Seven SamuraiSeven Samurai · 1954
Seven Samurai
★ 8.51954
MovieActionDrama
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
ZatoichiZatoichi · 2003
Zatoichi
★ 7.22003
MovieAdventureDrama
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
RashomonRashomon · 1950
Rashomon
★ 8.01950
MovieCrimeDrama
Four people recount different versions of the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife.
You Only Live TwiceYou Only Live Twice · 1967
You Only Live Twice
★ 6.61967
MovieActionThriller
A mysterious spacecraft captures Russian and American space capsules and brings the two superpowers to the brink of war. James Bond investigates the case in Japan and comes face to face with his archenemy Blofeld.
The Last SamuraiThe Last Samurai · 2003
The Last Samurai
★ 7.62003
MovieDramaAction
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.
Gamera, the Giant MonsterGamera, the Giant Monster · 1965
Gamera, the Giant Monster
★ 5.91965
MovieActionHorror
A nuclear explosion in the far north unleashes Gamera, the legendary flying turtle, from his sleep under the ice. In his search for energy, Gamera wreaks havoc over the entire world, and it's up to the scientists, assisted by a young boy with a strange sympathic link to the monster, to put a stop to Gamera's rampage.
Destination TokyoDestination Tokyo · 1943
Destination Tokyo
★ 6.91943
MovieWarDrama
During World War II, Captain Cassidy and his crew of submariners are ordered into Tokyo Bay on a secret mission. They are to gather information in advance of the planned bombing of Tokyo. Along the way, the crew learn about each other as they face the enemy and some of them lose their lives.
Gamera vs. BarugonGamera vs. Barugon · 1966
Gamera vs. Barugon
★ 6.41966
MovieFantasyAction
Gamera escapes from his rocket enclosure and makes his way back to Earth as a giant opal from New Guinea is brought back to Japan. The opal is discovered to have been an egg that births a new monster called Barugon. The creature attacks the city of Osaka by emitting a destructive rainbow ray from his back, along with a freezing spray capable of incapacitating Gamera.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter