The Samurai and the Prisoner

Opened Friday, July 31, 2026

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

Friday, July 31 at 6:05: Q&A with director Kiyoshi Kurosawa after the screening

Friday, July 31 at 9:25: Extended introduction by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Sunday, August 2 at 2:40: Q&A with director Kiyoshi Kurosawa after the screening

Monday, August 3 at 6:05: Q&A with director Kiyoshi Kurosawa after the screening

When Lord Murashige Araki (Masahiro Motoki) rises up against the tyrannical Nobunaga Oda (Masaki Suda), 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 (Masaki Suda), a brilliant yet dangerous strategist held prisoner in the dungeon. Helped by his wife Chiyoho (Yuriko Yoshitaka) and his most loyal generals, Murashige must uncover the truth before the castle falls.

“Kurosawa has made one of his best films, a work that feels a bit like Agatha Christie, a bit like Shakespeare, and even a bit like Samurai Columbo.” – RogerEbert.com

  • Country Japan
  • Language Japanese with English subtitles
  • Running Time 147 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor Janus
  • Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa
  • Cast Masahiro Motoki, Masaki Suda, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Munetaka Aoki
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

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