Cineasia DVD Synopsis: Set in the ancient Kingdom of Ayothaya, this incredible true story brings to life the adventures of a young Japanese Samurai warrior, who gave up his homeland to protect the sovereignty of the Thai people. Betrayed and left for dead by treacherous Japanese forces, he finds a new family in a remote village and masters the devastating fighting art of Muay Boran (Thai Boxing). Fearless, he ascends to the royal bodyguard of King Naresuan The Great, but will soon face his greatest battle against the elite Japanese warriors he once regarded as brothers...

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Views: Based on a true historic figure during the Ayothaya Era, Yamada: Way Of The Samurai tells the tale of Yamada Nagamasa, a Japanese warrior who was betrayed by his own people yet went on to gain considerable influence on Thailand. Set in the 17th century, Nagamasa has adopted Thailand as his new home, along with a host of Japanese and former samurai's who were then hired by the king of Ayothaya to protect him and the country from the invading Burmese and Spanish armies. As he learns the ways of the people, Yamada is trained in the art of Thai Boxing which he combines with the best of his own martial arts knowledge in a bid to protect his new friends and new home from the enemy. Later on, Nagamasa went on to become the Governor of the Nakon Si Thammarat province in Southern Thailand and was highly regarded among the people of Thailand as one of their own...

 

It's been some time since I last watched this film and although I remember enjoying it back then, I just never had the urge to go back to it too soon. But I'm sorry I didn't, as Yamada: Way Of The Samurai is a pretty good film and was as entertaining the second time around as much as it was the first. The films plays like Bang Rajan (2000) with shades of The Last Samurai (2003), although with much less of a budget and probably not as dramatic. While it may be based on a true story, viewers will obviously have to take that declaration with a pinch of salt as I think a lot of creative license was put to good use here. I mean, Ip Man (2008) was hardly 100% true to the man's life story, but everyone loved it enough to encourage enough sequels and spin-off's over the years. This, on the other hand, seems to get a lot of hate in other reviews because it wasn't 'true' to the real history of Yamada Nagamasa. Regardless, the film was made in the name of entertainment and it doesn't fail when it comes to that! While it does have it's flaws (and a stone-faced leading man), Yamada: Way Of The Samurai wins over its audience with some gorgeous cinematography courtesy of Chuchart Nantitanyathada, a beautiful score, and some great fight scenes courtesy of Yuttana Muenbaja, Thanawut Kasro, Ramai Moriphan. With displays of some solid Thai Boxing, fast swordplay against gangs of ghost-faced ninja, and violent take-downs during one-on-one fight scenes as well as brutal battles, Yamada: Way Of The Samurai can be forgiven for being a little melodramatic at times for what it offers up. That said, my only complaint in the action department would be the cranking of certain 'impact' moves, which slightly take away from the genuine skills of the fighters involved!

 

The film was written, produced, and directed by Nopporn Watin in what would be his third (and so far) last feature film to date. Watin's feature debut was with Dangerous Years (1996), a well received teen-gang drama that was soon followed up by Ang Yee: Luuk Chaai Phan Mangkwan (2000) – a Triad drama that featured Jimmy Lin, a Taiwanese actor who appeared in films such as Butterfly & Sword (1993) with Michelle Yeoh, Flying Daggers (1993) and Boys Are Easy (1993) with Jacky Cheung, Shaolin Popeye (1994), and the unfortunate Ultracop 2000 (1993) with Yukari Oshima. It would be another decade though before Watin returned with Yamada: Way Of The Samurai, and it's a shame we haven't seen anything else from him since. While the film also stars renowned Muay Thai boxers Buakaw Banchamek, Saenchai Kingstar, Yodsanklai Fairtex, and Anuwat Kaewsamrit, the leading man is played by Seigi Ozeki; a Japanese model who moved to Thailand in 2003 to pursue his acting career. His first role would be in The Odd Couple (2007) (Khuu Raet) with Yamada: Way Of The Samurai coming only a few years later, and probably proving to be a much more challenging role than his first. He doesn't really offer up much emotion in his role as Yamada Nagamasa, but Seigi certainly has the moves when it comes to the fight scenes and looks great in action. He is joined by popular Thai actor Sorapong Chatree, a popular face who has appeared in over 80 films to date including the likes of the embarrassing 18 Golden Destroyers (1985), Beautiful Boxer (2003), Ong Bak 2 & 3 (2008), and BKO: Bangkok Knockout (2010) as well as many others.

 

Overall: While it has its flaws, Yamada: Way Of The Samurai still proves to be a beautifully shot and entertaining martial arts tale!

 

DVD Extras: Audio Commentary by Bey Logan, Masters Of The Ring Feature, Deleted Scenes, Trailers

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