Red Lion

Original title: Akage

1969
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

808

YOUR RATING

Toshirô Mifune and Shima Iwashita in Red Lion (1969)

Action Comedy

Impersonating an Imperial Army officer by wearing a "red lion's mane", a poor servant returns to his village after 10 years of absence to end the village's suffering caused by corrupt offici... Read allImpersonating an Imperial Army officer by wearing a "red lion's mane", a poor servant returns to his village after 10 years of absence to end the village's suffering caused by corrupt officials and businessmen.Impersonating an Imperial Army officer by wearing a "red lion's mane", a poor servant returns to his village after 10 years of absence to end the village's suffering caused by corrupt officials and businessmen.

Director
- Kihachi Okamoto
Writers
- Sakae Hirosawa
- Kihachi Okamoto
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

808

YOUR RATING

Director
- Kihachi Okamoto
Writers
- Sakae Hirosawa
- Kihachi Okamoto
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The White-Hair group decapitated 3 people, one of whom was Sagara Sozo.The scene with three heads can be seen towards the end. He was a real person who led the Sekihotai. He was executed on March 26 1868 in Nagano Prefecture.

Quotes
Gonzo: Taxes cut in half? Wow! Now that's some kind of world renewal!

Connections
Referenced in Why Not? (1981)

User reviews9

Review

Featured review

10/10

Perfect Blend of Comedy, Drama, Samurai Action and more...

I must agree with another review of this movie in that it is one of the best Samurai Films in America. I consider myself now a long time veteran of Samurai movies, and I own more than thirty of this genre. Red Lion has a perfect blend of quick-witted comedy, physical comedy, heart-wrenching drama, and in your face action. I have not seen a samurai movie yet to have such great humor and yet leave room to tear up at the end. This movie is not just for lovers of Samurai films, it is for everyone. There is a lot of violence and I don't recommend it as a family movie but if you love film, DO NOT MISS THIS MOVIE. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be at the edge of your seat, and you will be cheering "It's Alright! It's Alright! Forget it!"