Lord Mito: All Star Version

Synopsis

Lord Mito: All Star Version (1960), originally titled 水戸黄門 (Mito Kōmon), is a classic Japanese jidaigeki (period drama) film starring Ryūnosuke Tsukigata. The movie centers on the legendary Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the retired vice-shogun, who travels incognito throughout Edo-period Japan accompanied by trusted retainers to expose injustice and right wrongs. Blending drama, action, and a touch of humor, the film highlights themes of honor, loyalty, and social justice. Its rich production captures the aesthetics of samurai cinema during Japan’s golden age of historical films, offering viewers an engaging window into feudal-era challenges and the enduring virtues of its hero.

Cast

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  Ryūnosuke Tsukigata

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  Chiyonosuke Azuma

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  Katsuo Nakamura

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  Chiezō Kataoka

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  Utaemon Ichikawa

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  Kinnosuke Nakamura

Reviews

Lord Mito: All Star Version holds a respected place in the jidaigeki genre but has relatively limited reviews in major Western movie databases due to its age and regional focus. On IMDb, it maintains an average rating around 6.8/10, reflecting a positive but modest reception primarily from enthusiasts of classic samurai films. Reviewers frequently praise Ryūnosuke Tsukigata's commanding performance and the film's faithful depiction of Edo-period settings, emphasizing its cultural and historical resonance. Critics appreciate the film's straightforward storytelling and action sequences, which retain a charm emblematic of 1960s Japanese cinema. However, some find the pacing deliberate by modern standards and note that the film’s episodic structure may feel dated for viewers accustomed to contemporary storytelling techniques. Unfortunately, the film does not have sufficient reviews on Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic to form aggregated scores, but specialized Japanese cinema critics often laud this version for its ensemble cast and production value. Overall, it is recommended chiefly for fans of period dramas or those interested in the Mito Kōmon folklore, offering a solid, if somewhat traditional, samurai narrative.