Is Tenpo suiko-den: ohara yugaku Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1976)

📖 The Core Premise

Tenpo suiko-den: ohara yugaku stands as a 1976 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the History, Drama landscape. 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. "A great famine struck all of Japan: the so-called Great Tenpō famine. It was a time when there were frequent uprisings in rural areas due to farmers losing their land as a result of strict tax collection. The Tonegawa area of ​​Boso was a lawless area for a generation, as two major forces fought against each other: Sukegoro of Iioka, who wields power with his industrial capital behind him, and Shigezo of Sasakawa, a rising yakuza. Furthermore, the successive floods of the Tone River, which could be called fate, forced the farmers into even more poverty and despair. Meanwhile, farmers in Nabe Village continue to live a lethargic life, but agricultural reform is about to begin under the hands of Yugaku Ohara, a ronin who has settled in the village."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Mikijiro Hira attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good History. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Tenpo suiko-den: ohara yugaku worth your time? If you appreciate History, Drama 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, Tenpo suiko-den: ohara yugaku misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 147 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.