"There’s an openness to Muragishe (symbolized by his hobby as a diligent tea master and tea urn collector) that Kurosawa admires, something fairly rare in his dark, disorientating filmography. It’s this admiration—not to mention the film’s patience and detail—that makes THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER a delightful detour for the genre master." - Rory Doherty, The AV Club
"In each mesmerizing move of the camera or precisely-framed shot, he draws us in closer and closer until we can practically feel the grass under our feet while he simultaneously keeps his sharp eye on the bigger picture." - Chase Hutchinson, The Wrap
"THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER offers a master class in framing and blocking, with Kiyoshi Kurosawa continually finding new ways to render the story’s self-contained setting as a source of rich visual pleasure. - Marshall Shaffer, Slant
Opens August 7 | Kiyoshi Kurosawa's stately adaptation of the novel by Honobu Yonezawa set in 16th century Japan marks his first foray into chanbara. When Lord Murashige Araki rises up against the tyrannical Nobunaga Oda, he finds himself besieged within the walls of his own castle. Isolated, he is confronted with a series of mysterious crimes that shatter the fragile order of his court, plunging the fortress into fear and suspicion.With Oda’s army closing in and a traitor hiding among his ranks, Murashige is forced into an uneasy alliance with Kanbei Kuroda, a brilliant yet dangerous strategist held prisoner in his dungeon. Helped by his wife Chiyoho and his most loyal generals, Murashige must uncover the truth before the castle falls. THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER is a painstakingly-composed and philosophical thriller that proves Kurosawa’s auteur vision can master any genre. Siskel Film Center exclusive.
Awards & Nominations
2026 Cannes Film Festival - Official Selection
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu