The civil war ongoing the Japan in 1863 when the Shogunate was in clash in Kyoto against the nationalists to take the power, in this belligerent environment a young idealistic Ronin Yamasaki (Raizô Ichikawa) is willing joints forces with Shinsengumi clan due he has deeply admiring by one their leaders former peasant Kondô (Wakayama) the chemistry between them reaches fast, then Yamasaki is accept in the clan, although some unethically ruling of the boss scratches the straight-lace vision concerning the virtuosic leader.

In this entanglement of betrayals and plottings unfold the storyline, the upcoming facts will expose to newbie Yamasaki about his early feelings, meanwhile a slight wavering he has at your trail a lovely young lady Shima (Shiro Fujimura) pleading him drop out the shogunate, in other hand Yamasaki didn't get any reliability from the second-in-command Tochizô (Shigero Amachi) keeping on the shadow of Kondô only.

This chanbara picture is part of early Kenji Misumi commonly known by the legendary Lone Wolf series, with the same Wakayama a long partnership, take a peek in some western modern objects an older photography camera, also they quote about the Dutch already there as historic accurate events.

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First watch: 2024 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25.

An early pairing of director Misumi and actor Wakayama who would later be part of the team behind the legendary "Lone Wolf" series.

The film purports to tell the historical turning point of the Shinsengumi as the clan is transformed from a feared band of ruffians working for the Shoganate to the saviors of the city of Kyoto when they prevent arson by anti-Shoganate mercenaries. The story follows a young ronin has he joins the clan to fulfill his dreams of being a full fledged samurai. Initially suspicious of the clan, the ronin is impressed by the number three samurai, Kondo (played by Wakayama) who, despite starting out as a lowly farmer, shows the most integrity of any samurai he's met. The clan's drunken, brutish leader is soon killed by his own men and Kondo is put in charge. The ronin, already unsure of his decision to leave his beautiful wife- to-be, is tormented by the harsh contradictions in the realities of samurai life.Despite the good intentions of the new leader, the clan's roguish ways gets them in trouble with the Shoganate and they are given one last chance, uncover and avert a plot to burn Kyoto and kill the Shogun.

Well shot with the Misumi touch, the film is a little slow and dense if you are not familiar with the historical account. There is more intrigue then sword work but when the finale comes about the action is brutal and harsh. The ronin's side story is good if sort of a cliché. Wakayama' acting is very good and unexpected if you are only familiar with his dour Ogami Itto.

Well done if typical samurai drama.