Yurusarezaru Mono (15)

Directed by Lee Sang-il

5 Stars

Inspired by Clint Eastwood's Western Unforgiven, Lee Sang-il's clever and gripping remake is set in Japan.

The familiar story of the retired gunman trying to raise his children on a run-down old farm who is approached for "one last job" and a promise of cash this time takes place in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1880.

In a time of strife - the shogunate has collapsed and the imperial troops are on the rampage - the film tells the story of the farmer Jubei (Ken Watanabe), once a cruel samurai, who after the death of his wife lives a quiet life with his two children.

But his poverty plus his anger at a despotic sheriff lead him to take up his sword once more. A vicious circle of violence begins.

Lee, melding his love for Westerns and samurai stories, dishes up an impressive noodle Western in what follows and there are breath-taking vistas of mountains and fields, in the tradition of the great cinematographers of the genre. The martial arts skills are magical.

Issues of loyalty, betrayal and revenge emerge in a film which eschews the usual background history lessons

Darker than Unforgiven, the oriental context makes for an entertaining and macabre experience.

Rita Di Santo