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The Great Killing

Name: The Great Killing
Director: Eiichi Kudō
Released: 1964
Duration: 118 min

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

1964

Not Rated

Director

Eiichi Kudō

Runtime

118 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Great Killing is a period drama that emphasizes historical accuracy and political nihilism over diverse representation. While it falls short in providing meaningful roles for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or those with disabilities, it excels as a cultural critique. The film leverages the 17th-century Japanese setting to question the legitimacy of institutions. It replaces traditional moral absolutes with situational ethics and a rejection of state authority. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its nuanced critique of social hierarchies rather than its range of character identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Great Killing have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or storylines. The focus is on the violent and male-dominated political and delinquent environments without any queer themes.

How does The Great Killing portray gender?

Limited

The story unfolds within a strict masculine framework. Women are mostly sidelined, serving as objects within the male characters' pursuit of power or satisfaction.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Great Killing?

Fair

Set in 17th-century Japan, the cast is ethnically uniform. The narrative is deeply embedded in a specific historical and cultural context.

How does The Great Killing represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film shines in its critique of established institutions. It depicts the Shogunate as corrupt and manipulative, challenging traditional ideas of authority and social order.

Does The Great Killing include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of characters with disabilities being given significant roles. The plot centers on the physical abilities and political strategies of the main characters.

Present on Screen

Offers a sophisticated critique of established institutions and corrupt authority.
Explores complex moral relativism and situational ethics.
Successfully deconstructs traditional social hierarchies through a historical perspective.

Limited or Absent

Needs to give more meaningful roles to female characters.
Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
Lacks characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official 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.

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