Best movies like The Pass: Last Days of the Samurai
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The last year of Ryotaro Shiba's life, as he tried to achieve peace and independence without joining the armies of East and West.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 92
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: period drama
Best tv shows and movies like The Pass: Last Days of the Samurai (2020):
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Top Knot Detective (2017)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of how a failed Japanese samurai series, became an instant cult classic.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 401
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, History, Mystery
Country: Australia, Japan
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: mockumentary
Similar in 76%
The Revolt (1962)
Plot Summary:
In the year 1637 in Shimabara of Tokugawa-era Japan, oppressed peasant Christians revolt against the shogunate with the aid of a charismatic Christian rebel leader Shiro Amakusa.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 197
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Irezumi (1966)
Plot Summary:
In this elegant proto-feminist shocker from Yasuzo Masumuro, a woman forced into prostitution wreaks her spidery revenge. A mysterious tattoo artist puts his masterpiece, a human-faced spider, on a kidnapped woman's back. She and her lover are then forced into a conspiracy-born nightmare, where they face the danger of becoming the very evil they seek to escape. With each new bloody incident, the spider's face seems to redden with ever-growing hunger….
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, masterpiece
Similar in 76%
Kakekomi (2015)
Plot Summary:
Kakekomi tells the stories of Edo women in the 1800s that escape abusive husbands and lovers by taking refuge in Tokeiji, a monastery in Kamakura.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 453
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Shogun's Shadow (1989)
Plot Summary:
Iemitsu, Tokugawa Shogun III, hates his eldest son Takechiyo; all his love is given to his younger son Tokumatsu. One day, he orders Takechiyo to an initiation rite in Yedo (today's Tokio). Takechiyo lives far away under the surveillance of Hotta Masamori, head of the Skura clan, where he was also raised. Hotta does suspect some kind of treachery, but he can not ignore the direct command of the Shogun. Therefore, he starts on his travel with Takechiyo and seven accompanying samurais. A large army under the command of Iba Shoemon, a vassal of the Shogun, attacks their night camp in the vicinity of a copper mine. Hotta dies in this first battle, but Takechiyo and the samurai manage to escape. They are chased by the army, and several skirmishes between the small force and the larger army follow.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 670
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
Ninja 6: The Last Iga Spy (1965)
Plot Summary:
[Period covered: 1637-1651] This is one of the most complicated plots of any of the Shinobi no Mono films! This film tells the story of Saizo’s son, Kirigakure Saisuke, who after seeing his father die at the Battle Of Shimabara, grows up to be an expert ninja. Before he dies, “Mist” Saizo tells his children Saisuke, and Yuri that they are not really brother and sister. She, in fact, is the daughter of the late lord Sanada Yukimura, and must be saved from the shogun’s forces. In the chess match of spy versus spy, can Saisuke defeat the shogun’s chief strategist, Matsudaira Izunokami at his own game? Showing many exciting ninja tactics, it is not to be missed.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 129
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 80%
Strategist KANBE (2014)
Plot Summary:
July 1590, Odawara. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army had surrounded the Odawara Castle for over 3 months, hoping to conquer this last obstacle to his dream of the country's unification. Standing at the gate of the castle, a lone man facing the menacing guards shouted out: "Do not throw your lives away. Treasure living!". Not long after, the castle gates opened and the reigning lord surrendered. The name of that man is Kuroda Kanbee. An excellent military strategist, he worked hand-in-hand with Hideyoshi to unify the country.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 116
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka (1967)
Plot Summary:
The disturbing story of a physician who conducted the first operation with general anaesthetic, and the women in his life who are both so determined to win his love that they volunteer as subjects for his experiments.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 213
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: jidai geki
Similar in 79%
Ninja 4: Siege (1964)
Plot Summary:
[Period covered: 1614-1615] 4th film in the shinobi no mono series Tokugawa Ieyasu is now the ruler of all Japan. But one last loose thread must be tied up before his domination is complete -- the destruction of the Toyotomi clan, now beseiged in Osaka castle. Ieyasu's ninja are the only ones who can penetrate the fortress, but unfortunately for Ieyasu, Kirigakure Saizo (Ichikawa) and the other Toyotomi ninja can just as easily get out. As armies of samurai maneuver for battle, the fate of the nation will be decided by a desperate struggle in the dark!.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 230
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Sakurada Gate Incident (2010)
Plot Summary:
A film about the assination of Ii Naosuke at the gate of Edo castle in 1860 by ronin from the mito domain.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 85
Genere: History
Country: Japan
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
The Legend & Butterfly (2023)
Plot Summary:
Oda Nobunaga and Nōhime were originally married to mend a hostile relationship between neighbouring regions. Unfortunately, they were like oil and water, making for a somewhat unhappy marriage. When Oda's enemy, Imagawa Yoshimoto, attacks Owari with his vast army, Oda is devastated by the overwhelming gap in military strength. However, Nohime encourages him not to despair, and the pair draw up a tactical plan that will allow them to overcome the odds.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 462
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 168 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 80%
Death of a Tea Master (1989)
Plot Summary:
Years after the death of legendary tea master Rikyu, his disciple Honkakubo attempts to resolve the mystery of the master's death.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 370
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: jidai geki
Similar in 84%
Sekigahara (2017)
Plot Summary:
In the year 1600, a battle determines the future ruler for Japan and the beginning of the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 843
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, sentimental, thought provoking, captivating, suspenseful, jidai geki
Similar in 79%
After the Rain (1999)
Plot Summary:
A group of travelers is stranded in a small country inn when the river floods during heavy rains. As the bad weather continues, tensions rise amongst the travelers trapped at the inn. Ihei Misawa is a ronin, a samurai without a master, whose skills with a sword make him a valuable employee but whose brutal honesty and lack of social graces prevent him from staying with one master for too long. One night, Ihei impulsively offers to buy food and drink for the guests at a hotel; he doesn't have the money to pay, and to raise cash he concocts a scheme to take on anyone brave enough to fight him for a prize. Ihei's fighting skills impress Lord Shigeaki, who offers him a position as fencing master in his court. Ihei gratefully accepts, but when Shigeaki challenges him to a fight, Ihei beats the Lord decisively. Ihea is certain that he's managed to throw another opportunity away when a band of mercenaries attacks him, and his skills as a swordsman are put to the ultimate test.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan, France
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: spiritual, jidai geki, atmospheric, serious, captivating, stylized
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Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Fire (1965)
Plot Summary:
Fifth film in the series. When Kyoshiro, in a moment of weakness, saves the life of a woman being attacked on the road, he quickly finds himself entangled in a conspiracy involving a corrupt chamberlain, a wily merchant, the survivors of a pirate gang, and a missing treasure trove.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 182
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, period drama
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The Bushido Blade (1981)
Plot Summary:
A steel samurai blade that was to be given to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan is stolen. American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent to find it.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 436
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: UK, USA, Japan
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: action adventure, independent film, serious, realistic, suspenseful
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Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai (2021)
Plot Summary:
Set in the 19th century, "Moeyo Ken" follows the life of Toshizo Hijikata. He was the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi and fought against the Meiji Restoration.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 257
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 148 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, period drama
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The Floating Castle (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the year 1590, the mighty warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi is close to fulfilling his ambition of unifying all of Japan under his banner when he comes across unexpected resistance in the form of a floating fortress known as Oshi Castle. Narita Nagachika, a frivolous hedonistic fellow and unlikely candidate for the position of rebel general, finds himself in charge of defending the castle. His odds? An army of 500 men to combat Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army of 20,000.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 605
Genere: Comedy, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: captivating
Similar in 78%
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor (1969)
Plot Summary:
Near the end of the nineteenth century, as the balance of power shifts from Shogunate towards the Emperor, Japan restlessly awaits the dawning of a new age. But not all are content...The Shinsengumi, a small army of samurai, farmers and peasants, band together to do battle against the tide of history. Their leader, Isami Kondo (Mifune) is a man who rises from farmer to fighter to head the fierce Shinsengumi brigade. Using a stern hand and a heart of gold, he rallies his men in defense of the tottering Shogunate. But bloodshed and treachery lurk around every corner.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 454
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: jidai geki
Similar in 76%
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011)
Plot Summary:
An tale of revenge, honor and disgrace, centering on a poverty-stricken samurai who discovers the fate of his ronin son-in-law, setting in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against the house of a feudal lord.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan, UK
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: tense, bleak, serious, emotional, realistic, erotic, intense, jidai geki, atmospheric, contemplative
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When the Last Sword is Drawn (2002)
Plot Summary:
Kanichiro Yoshimura is a Samurai and Family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the the low pay he receives from his small town clan, he is forced by the love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, bleak, captivating, realistic, serious, spiritual, jidai geki, stylized, gloomy
Similar in 81%
A Tale of Samurai Cooking (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set within the Kaga Domain in the Edo Period. Oharu is an excellent cook and recognized for her skills. Due to her cooking talents, she marries Yasunobu, who is an heir in the Funaki family. The Funaki family serves as the cook for the Kaga Domain. Nevertheless, Yasunobu himself is a terrible cook. With the help of Oharu's mother-in-law Mitsuru, she begins to teach Yasunobu how to cook.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 568
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, sentimental, culinary, realistic, semi serious, romantic drama, period drama
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The Hidden Blade (2004)
Plot Summary:
Set in 19th Century Japan a young samurai who finds himself in love with a farm girl leaves his home to begin a new life. He has to take stock of his new life when he is put to the test and ordered to kill a traitor who just happens to be his dearest friend.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, stylized, romantic, epic, jidai geki, realistic, gloomy, period drama
Similar in 82%
Silence (1971)
Plot Summary:
Two Jesuit priests encounter persecution when they travel to Japan in the 17th century to spread Christianity and search for their mentor.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: spiritual, existential, atmospheric, bleak, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, stylized
Similar in 77%
Love and Honor (2006)
Plot Summary:
A look at the relationship between a young blind samurai (Kimura) and his wife, who will make a sacrifice in order to defend her husband's honor.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, romantic, poignant, jidai geki, social, epic, period drama
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Rikyu (1989)
Plot Summary:
Late in the 1500s, an aging tea master teaches the way of tea to a headstrong Shogun. Through force of will and courageous fighting, Hideyoshi becomes Japan's most powerful warlord, unifying the country. Rikyu, through the tea ceremony and floral arrangements, tempers his lord, helping Hideyoshi focus on a single flower or be in a simple room where the shape of a cup is of most importance. But other forces fuel Hideyoshi's ambitions: the Portuguese bring a globe and guns, and he believes he can conquer Korea and China. When Rikyu raises doubts about invading China, Hideyoshi demands an apology, and Rikyu himself must find courage in the way of tea.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 813
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, stylized, jidai geki
Similar in 81%
Kagemusha (1980)
Plot Summary:
When a warlord dies, a peasant thief is called upon to impersonate him, in order to protect his clan from appearing weak and vulnerable. But he finds himself haunted by the warlord’s spirit as well as his own ambitions.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: captivating, enigmatic, bleak, costume drama, epic, tense, jidai geki, political, visually appealing, cerebral
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47 Samurai (1962)
Plot Summary:
The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Kōzuke no suke. The ronin avenged their master's honor after patiently waiting and planning for over a year to kill Kira. In turn, the ronin were themselves forced to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 207 min
Plot tags: epic, bleak, harsh, atmospheric, serious, intense, emotional, jidai geki, historical drama, realistic
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Unforgiven (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set in Hokkaido, Japan in the 1880s. Jubei Kamata (Ken Watanabe), who is on the side of the Edo shogunate government, kills many people. His name is infamous in Kyoto. When the battle at Goryoukaku is about to be finished, Jubei disappears. 10 years later, Jubei lives with his kid in relative peace. He is barely able to make a living. Protecting his dead wife's grave, Jubei has decided to never pick up a sword again, but due to poverty he has no choice but to pick the sword again. Jubei becomes a bounty hunter.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: tense, psychological, atmospheric, captivating, period piece, crime drama, serious, realistic, contemplative, jidai geki
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Sakuran (2006)
Plot Summary:
A young girl is sold into the red-light district Yoshiwara and is put under the care of the oiran (lead prostitute) of the Tamakiku house. The girl is rebellious, but the more experienced people in the household begin to think that she will be one day a great oiran, since an oiran needs not only beauty and talent, but she should also have the tenacity to maintain the position.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, emotional, stylized, sweet, manga, artsy, costume drama, realistic, semi serious