The UCLA Film and Television Archive concludes its series on Japanese directory Kenji Mizoguchi with the screening of “The 47 Ronin” on Feb. 15 in the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum.
In the early years of the 18th century, the retainers of slain Lord Asano, led by the loyal Oichi, set out to avenge themselves against the man whose treachery was responsible for their master’s death over a matter of court protocol. Mizoguchi's epic film of this most famous of Japanese tales was produced at the behest of the military government with propagandistic intent, but was made with a conviction, humanity and graphic genius that transcend the circumstances of its production.
The two-part film, in Japanese with English subtitles, runs an epic 241 minutes. Find information and order tickets here.