Is Flowers of Chivalry Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1961)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Flowers of Chivalry (1961), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama, Comedy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Kayama Ichinoshin (Raizo Ichikawa) has been traveling for ten years in search of revenge for his father. One day, Ichinoshin reunites with his younger brother Shinjiro (Yukio Hashi), who has completely changed. Shinjiro abandoned the quiet samurai life and began to lead a Yakuza lifestyle. The older brother is angry at the younger one for his depravity, and the younger one laughs at him for being tied to old-fashioned traditions. As a result, they quarrel. Ichinoshin hears that the person he has to take revenge on has become a Yakuza, and in order to get a hint, he takes care of the Otsu family, to which Shinjiro owes, but later discovers that the boss of Otsu Kanemon is the one he is looking for."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Flowers of Chivalry, even the presence of Raizō Ichikawa struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Flowers of Chivalry worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Flowers of Chivalry misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 86 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.