bernard rose

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SAMURAI MARATHON Review: A Marathon To Defend A Nation, Turns Into A Race Of Survival Towards A New Era

With the threat of American ships off the coast of Japan, the leader of the Samurai clan Annaka, concerned about the invasion of the foreigners, decides to organize a marathon to prepare his men, who after many years of peace are out of shape. However, and due to lack of communication with one of his spies, the shogun believes that the race is about a coup d’état, and sends a group of assassins to finish off the runners. What was originally a race to defend the nation ends up turning into a bloody battle to survive. Based on a novel of the same name written by Akihiro Dobashi, that was inspired by a marathon held annually in Japan, the film explores a time of change in the history of Japan, through characters that hide different motivations to participate in the marathon, without even being aware that this race will be […]

SAMURAI MARATHON: Well Go USA Makes A Run For U.S. On Digital In May, Blu-Ray/DVD In July

Lee B. Golden III

Bernard Rose’s Samurai Marathon was one of the best and most memorable feats of my festive (at-home) filmgoing summer. The film premiered for the New York Asian Film Festival last June and has since been acquired by the champions at Well Go USA, now formally announced for a Digital release beginning May 12, and for a Blu-Ray and DVD release on July 21. Acclaimed filmmaker Bernard Rose has created a stunning visual feast complemented by a haunting score from iconic composer Philip Glass. Inspired by a race still held annually in Japan, Samurai Marathon is a lively action flick with a samurai twist. In late feudal Japan, a young ninja operates undercover in the court of an aging lord and his rebellious daughter. When the lord challenges his lazy samurai to a punishing marathon—joined covertly by Princess Yuki—the ninja finds his loyalties put to the test. Facing impossible odds, this […]

Bernard Rose’s SAMURAI MARATHON Makes A Run In 2020 For Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is officially warming up and stretching its muscles to release Bernard Rose’s latest period outing, Samurai Marathon. The film just premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival with the company now announcing its acquisition for a 2020 release (read our review). Directed by Rose and scored by Philip Glass, the film is based on a true story about the first-ever marathon run in all of Japan. Set at the end of Edo period, Jinnai (Rurouni Kenshin franchise star Takeru Satoh), a secret ninja residing in Annaka village where he’s been assigned to survey activity. Having acted hastily before the village Lord’s announcement of an intense race to further reinforce pride and discipline in Japan, he’s forced to defy his ninja oath and help stave off the assassins mistakenly out to kill the village Lord for defying Japanese rule. via THR: “Samurai Marathon is such an engrossing, […]

NYAFF Review: For The Destination In Bernard Rose’s SAMURAI MARATHON 1855, It’s All About The Journey

Lee B. Golden III

Times are-a-changin’ in director Bernard Rose’s jidaigeki debut, Samurai Marathon 1855, a 105-minute period epic based on Akihiro Dobashi’s 2014 novel with a story centered around Japan’s very first marathon. A beachfront diplomatic meet-up beteeen U.S. navy officer Commodore Perry (Danny Huston) and the Shogun’s Chief Minister, Ioki Suketora (Etsushi Toyokawa) offsets Rose’s epic tale which introduces us to Annaka village Lord Itakura (Hiroki Hasegawa), and his rebellious daughter, Princess Yukihime (Nana Komatsu), a talented artist with whom, he’s betrothing to Tsujimura (Mirai Moriyama), another of his loyal samurai, to help sustain his bloodline. We also meet a seemingly benign accountant bearing much more than meets the eye in Jinnai (Takeru Satoh), who happens to be secretly loyal to an underground clan of ninja, trained from boyhood and beholden to the shogun. Having long since been assigned to report on any anomalous activity from Annaka village, his mission finally takes […]

SAMURAI MARATHON 1855: The Race Is On In The Newest Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

It all comes down to actor Satoh Takeru to prevent the worst case scenario as a secret government agent in Candyman and Anna Karenina helmer Bernard Rose’s latest, Samurai Marathon 1855. The film is based on Dobashi Akihiro’s 2014 novel, “Bakumatsu Marason Samurai”, and currently sits as one of our Five-A-Day entries of titles to look forward to in 2019. At the end of Edo period, a lord of Annaka clan gathers his retainers and announces to hold a marathon to train themselves for potential attacks from overseas. With a carrot dangled in front of them, retainers join the marathon to get a prize. In the meanwhile, the central Edo government sends an assassin to kill the Annaka lord, after receiving a message from their spy Jinnai who has mistaken the assembly as a sign of rebellion. To straighten out the fatal misunderstanding, Jinnai and other retainers run desperately to […]

SAMURAI MARATHON 1855: Satoh Takeru Makes A Run For It In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Candyman and Immortal Beloved director Bernard Rose is fresh from promoting his latest Vero stint with Franz Schubert musical endeavor, The Hurdy Gurdy man. He now stands at the center of his latest campaign for jidaigeki period pic, Samurai Marathon 1855, taking its cues from Dobashi Akhiro’s 2014 novel for the film’s February 22 release. Inuyashiki, Ajin: Demi-Human and Rurouni Kenshin trilogy star Satoh Takeru stands front and center headlining a story set at the tail end of Edo period when a feudal lord decides to prepare his warriors for incoming invaders with a marathon. Jinnai (Satoh), a central government spy is sent in to investigate and report his findings. But when a grave error convinces the government to deploy assassins to wipe out the Lord in wake of what they deem as an act of betrayal, it’s up to Jinnai and the marathon’s retainers to stop them. Satoh’s fellow […]