@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Tatsuya Nakadai, the world’s greatest living actor, returns to the screen in a brilliant adaptation of a story by novelist Shuhei Fujisawa. A traveling gambler known as “Funeral Uno” he is now 86 years old and returning to his hometown for the first time in 30 years. Partly told in flashbacks, he is forced to face his lifelong nemesis, Boss Kyuzo, a vile yakuza portrayed by another superstar of samurai cinema, Atsuo Nakamura! Before the two old gamblers can settle a 30-year-old score they must put their lives on the line in a game of dice that can only lead to a bloody sword duel the likes of which has never before been seen! Superb performances all around in a film loaded with surprises and exciting swordplay!
Quick Stats
7.3
TMDB Rating
9
Votes
1h 59m
Runtime
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Budget
—
Box Office
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Return
Key Crew
DirectorShigemichi Sugita
WriterShigemichi Sugita
CinematographyShôji Ehara
ComposerTakashi Kako
Production DesignTomoko Kurata
Produced by
Jidaigeki Senmon Channel
Where to Watch
No streaming information available for The Return yet.
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Tatsuya Nakadai
Takako Tokiwa
Kazuki Kitamura
Misato Tanaka
Aki Maeda
Ayumi Tanida
Atsuo Nakamura
Jiro Sato
Yoshiko Mita
Naoto Ogata
Isao Hashizume
