You are here:
The Great Killing

The Great Killing

1964

Not Rated

Director

Eiichi Kudō

Runtime

118 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A cynical samurai is left as the sole survivor to fulfill a plot to assassinate the puppet of a villain intent on usurping the shogunate in the 17th century. A Shogunate Elder connives to rule Japan by making his puppet, the Shogun's brother Tsunashige, the next Shogun. The best strategist in Japan, Yamaga, leads a plot to stop the Elder, but his cabal is betrayed and most of the conspirators are captured and tortured.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.8/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks discernible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The focus remains on the violent, male-dominated political and delinquent spheres without queer-coded subtext.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative operates within a rigid masculine framework. Women are largely relegated to the periphery, serving as objects within the characters' pursuit of power or gratification.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

As a period piece set in 17th-century Japan, the cast is ethnically homogeneous. The story is deeply rooted in a specific historical and cultural context.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film excels in its critique of established institutions. It portrays the Shogunate as corrupt and manipulative, disrupting traditional concepts of authority and social order.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no significant evidence of characters with disabilities being afforded agency. The plot focuses on the physical prowess and political maneuvering of central protagonists.

Strengths

  • Provides a sophisticated critique of established institutions and corrupt authority.
  • Embraces complex moral relativism and situational ethics.
  • Effectively deconstructs traditional social hierarchies through a historical lens.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks meaningful agency or presence for female characters.
  • Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative characters.
  • Fails to include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

AI Analysis

The Great Killing is a period drama that prioritizes historical authenticity and political nihilism over demographic diversity. While it fails to provide meaningful representation for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities, it succeeds as a cultural critique. The film uses the 17th-century Japanese setting to deconstruct institutional legitimacy. It replaces traditional moral certainties with situational ethics and a rejection of state authority. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its sophisticated subversion of social hierarchies rather than its breadth of character identities.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.