Critics score:
Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
Bosley Crowther, New York Times: Read more
Michael Sragow, New Yorker: The film has a steady, hypnotic momentum; the director, Masaki Kobayashi, wrings as much drama out of facial twitches as he does out of sword fights. Read more
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: A devastating, emotionally intense critique of the feudal system's hypocrisy and the warrior's code. Read more