待ち伏せ (1970) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1970, 待ち伏せ is an action and drame film directed by Hiroshi Inagaki, running about 117 minutes.

What it’s about. In the Edo period, a nameless ronin accepts an assignment to go to a mountain pass and wait. Near the pass he stops at an inn where a collection of characters gather, including a gang set on stealing shogunate gold that's soon to come over the pass. When the Ronin's assignment becomes clear, to help the gang, he's ordered to kill the inn's residents, including a woman he's rescued from an abusive husband. He's reluctant to murder innocent people; then he learns that the gold shipment is a trap and he's part of a double cross. How he sorts through these divided loyalties tests of his samurai honor, and perhaps of his love for a woman.

Who’s in it. 待ち伏せ stars Toshirō Mifune as Yojimbo, Yūjirō Ishihara as Yataro, Ruriko Asaoka as Okuni and Shintarō Katsu as Gentetsu, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, 待ち伏せ has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 待ち伏せ page.

If you liked it. Fans of 待ち伏せ tend to enjoy The Dark Knight : Le Chevalier noir, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and Le Seigneur des anneaux : La Communauté de l'anneau.