When Lord Murashige rises up against the tyrannical Oda, he finds himself besieged within the walls of his own castle. Isolated, he is confronted with a series of mysterious crimes that shatter the fragile order of his court, plunging the fortress into fear and suspicion. With Oda's army closing in and a traitor hiding among his ranks, Murashige is forced into an uneasy alliance with Kanbei, a brilliant and dangerous strategist held prisoner in the dungeon, as he must outwit his enemies and uncover the truth before time runs out.

The Samurai and the Prisoner poster

The Samurai and the Prisoner (2026)

★ 8/10 June 19, 2026 147 min

DramaHistoryMystery

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa  ·  Writer: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

When Lord Murashige rises up against the tyrannical Oda, he finds himself besieged within the walls of his own castle. Isolated, he is confronted with a series of mysterious crimes that shatter the fragile order of his court, plunging the fortress into fear and suspicion. With Oda's army closing in and a traitor hiding among his ranks, Murashige is forced into an uneasy alliance with Kanbei, a brilliant and dangerous strategist held prisoner in the dungeon, as he must outwit his enemies and uncover the truth before time runs out.

Trailer

Director

Kiyoshi Kurosawa Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Cast

Masahiro Motoki Masahiro Motoki Araki Murashige Masaki Suda Masaki Suda Kuroda Kanbei Yuriko Yoshitaka Yuriko Yoshitaka Chiyoho Munetaka Aoki Munetaka Aoki Araki Kyuzaemon Ryota Miyadate Ryota Miyadate Inui Sukesaburo Tasuku Emoto Tasuku Emoto Saika Sagehari Joe Odagiri Joe Odagiri Koori Juemon Yusuke Santamaria Yusuke Santamaria Akioka Shironosuke Mitsuo Yoshihara Mitsuo Yoshihara Kawarabayashi Notonyudo Ryota Bando Ryota Bando Kitagawara Yosaku Yoshiyoshi Arakawa Yoshiyoshi Arakawa Muhen Kiyohiko Shibukawa Kiyohiko Shibukawa Saika Magoroku

User Reviews (1)

Chris Sawin
Chris Sawin August 7, 2026
★ 7/10

*The Samurai and The Prisoner* plants the seeds of an intriguing mystery that is worthy of Kiyoshi Kurasawa’s involvement. Still, it simply doesn’t live up to what you’re probably expecting from the film. The film builds and builds for two and a half hours, and the conclusion doesn’t justify such a long buildup. It’s still a worthwhile film to experience, but it feels like a jigsaw puzzle that you nearly complete yet never find the last missing piece. https://bit.ly/sampris