A Lavish Retelling of a Classic Tale Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: warnerbros.co.jp/tajomaru (Japan)

Loosely based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short stories Rashomon and In A Grove (most famously adapted for the screen by Akira Kurosawa in his 1950 masterpiece RASHOMON), TAJOMARU: AVENGING BLADE (??????, Tajomaru, 2009) is an epic tale of greed, betrayal, deceit, tragedy and revenge directed by Hiroyuki Nakano (STEREO FUTURE) and starring Shun Oguri (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, CROWS ZERO), Kyosuke Yabe (SAMURAI ZOMBIE) and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (IP MAN, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO). Set during Japan’s late Muromachi period, TAJOMARU: AVENGING BLADE begins with the story of two brothers, Naomitsu (Shun Oguri) and Nobutsuna Hatakeyama (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), born into a wealthy and powerful family and both destined for greatness. However, when the father of their lifelong friend and Naomitsu’s love interest Ako (Yuki Shibamoto, I WANT TO BE A SHELLFISH) dies, a decree is made that has a profound effect on all their lives. The conditions of the decree force Nobutsuna to betray his brother by taking Ako as his own in order to inherit her late father’s wealth and position. However, driven by his love for Ako, Naomitsu gives up his life of privilege and instead flees with her into the remote forested mountain region where he believes they will be safe. During the journey, the lovers are ambushed and attacked by a bandit calling himself Tajomaru (Hiroki Matsukata, 13 ASSASSINS) who intends to kidnap Ako. Fortunately, she escapes and runs away before Nobutsuna manages to kill the bandit, whose identity he assumes. Now calling himself Tajomaru, Nobutsuna sets out on a dangerous and adventurous quest in search of Ako.

Meanwhile, back at the Hatakeyama home, an unlikely protagonist has decided the time is right to make a treacherous move that will place him within striking distance of the country’s most powerful positions of leadership… TAJOMARU: AVENGING BLADE (cert. 12) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by Manga Entertainment on 31st January 2011. Special Features include: Stereo and 5.1 Dolby audio options; optional English subtitles; The Making Of TAJOMARU; domestic trailer; original Japanese trailer. The suggested retail price is £15.99. Label: Manga Entertainment Release date: 31st January 2011 Release type: DVD Certificate: 12 Running time: 131 minutes Pricing: £15.99 Genre: Eastern cinema Director: Hiroyuki Nakano Stars: Shun Oguri, Kyosuke Yabe, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi