Past Film/Video | Classics

Samurai Assassin

(Samurai, Kihachi Okamoto, 1965)

35MM Print

Black-and-white still of a fight scene; the person in the middle is lunging with their sword toward the person in front of them; the third person in the back is facing the other direction, their sword and head pointed toward the ground.
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May 12, 2022 7:00 PM
Film/Video Theater

$7 members and seniors
$9 general public
$5 students

Click here to view our latest COVID-19 safety protocols.

FREE GALLERY ADMISSION
Don’t forget: gallery admission is free with a ticket to any same-day Wexner Center event. Simply show your ticket at our Visitor Experience Desk.

ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation such as CART captioning or ASL interpretation to participate in this event, please contact Accessibility Manager Helyn Marshall at accessibility@wexarts.org or via telephone at (614) 688-3890. Requests made by two weeks in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the Wexner Center for the Arts will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.

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In this marvel of widescreen cinematography, Toshirō Mifune stars as Niiro, an impoverished ronin (or masterless samurai) who joins a group of assassins in hopes of improving his status.

The assassins are bent on killing Lord Ii, who is trying to open Japan to the West. Nothing goes right for Niiro. A first failed attempt on Ii’s life leads the group to suspect him of betrayal, and he remains haunted by a troubled childhood where he never knew his father. The assassins’ second attempt to kill Ii leads to a shocking twist ending that closes the door on Niiro’s unsettled past. The film is based on the real-life 1860 Sakuradamon Incident in which a band of samurai assassinated Chief Minister Ii Naosuke. (122 mins., 35mm)

See the complete Mifune + Okamoto lineup.

Black-and-white still of a fight scene; the person in the middle is lunging with their sword toward the person in front of them; the third person in the back is facing the other direction, their sword and head pointed toward the ground.

Samurai Assassin © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

Black-and-white still of three people wearing kimonos and looking at something as if surprised; the person in the middle is pulling their eyebrows together in confusion.

Samurai Assassin © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

Black-and-white still of a fight scene in the snow; two people in front are falling to the ground while being chased by people with swords.

Samurai Assassin © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

Tag(s)

Prints courtesy of The Japan Foundation.

FILM/VIDEO PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Cardinal Health
Kaufman Development

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Rohauer Collection Foundation

WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
The Wexner Family
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Columbus Foundation
Ohio Arts Council
American Electric Power Foundation
L Brands Foundation
Adam Flatto
Mary and C. Robert Kidder
Bill and Sheila Lambert
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Nationwide Foundation
Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Mike and Paige Crane
Pete Scantland
Axium Packaging
CampusParc
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
President Kristina M. Johnson and Mrs. Veronica Meinhard
Nancy Kramer
Huntington
Lisa Barton
Johanna DeStefano
Russell and Joyce Gertmenian
Liza Kessler and Greg Henchel
Ron and Ann Pizzuti
Joyce and Chuck Shenk
Bruce and Joy Soll
Jones Day

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Past Film/Video

Samurai Assassin

May 12, 2022 7:00 PM EST
Film/Video Theater

$7 members and seniors
$9 general public
$5 students

Click here to view our latest COVID-19 safety protocols.

FREE GALLERY ADMISSION
Don’t forget: gallery admission is free with a ticket to any same-day Wexner Center event. Simply show your ticket at our Visitor Experience Desk.

ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation such as CART captioning or ASL interpretation to participate in this event, please contact Accessibility Manager Helyn Marshall at accessibility@wexarts.org or via telephone at (614) 688-3890. Requests made by two weeks in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the Wexner Center for the Arts will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.

Become a Member