Drama, Mystery, Thriller

The Samurai and The Prisoner

NOT RATED
2026
2 HR, 27 min
SEP 18 → SEP 24, 2026

Details

NOT RATED

Released 2026, Japan

Drama, Thriller, Mystery

2 hours, 27 minutes

Janus Films

Japanese with English Subtitles

Starring

Masahiro Motoki
Bando Shingo
Masaki Suda
Yuriko Yoshitaka

Director

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

When Lord Murashige (Masahiro Motoki) rises up against the tyrannical Oda (Bando Shingo), he finds himself besieged within the walls of his own castle. Isolated, he is confronted with a series of mysterious crimes that shatter the fragile order of his court, plunging the fortress into fear and suspicion. With Oda’s army closing in and a traitor hiding among his ranks, Murashige is forced into an uneasy alliance with Kanbei Kuroda (Masaki Suda), a brilliant yet dangerous strategist held prisoner in the dungeon. Helped by his wife Chiyoho (Yuriko Yoshitaka) and his most loyal generals, Murashige must uncover the truth before the castle falls.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no screenings of THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER on Saturday, September 19 due to the home Football Game.

Film Stills

Full Cast

Masahiro Motoki Lord Murashige

Bando Shingo Oda

Masaki Suda Kanbei Kuroda

Yuriko Yoshitaka Chiyoho

Additional Credits

Kiyoshi Kurosawa Director

Reviews

“Kurosawa’s highly entertaining adaptation knows that just because you are chained does not make you a prisoner, any more than having wealth and power can reliably make you free.”

Jessica Kiang

Variety

“Kurosawa has made one of his best films, a work that feels a bit like Agatha Christie, a bit like Shakespeare, and even a bit like Samurai Columbo.”

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

“In each mesmerizing move of the camera or precisely-framed shot, he draws us in closer and closer until we can practically feel the grass under our feet while he simultaneously keeps his sharp eye on the bigger picture.”

Chase Hutchinson

TheWrap