The Samurai and the Prisoner (Kokurojo)

Name: The Samurai and the Prisoner (Kokurojo)
Duration: 2 h 27 min
Rating: 5

2hr 27m

2hr 27m
(1)
3.6/5 (3.8K)
100%

Based on Honobu Yonezawa's novel. Set in 16th century Japan, follows Lord Murashige Araki who, besieged in his castle, confronts mysterious crimes and allies… More Details »

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Movie Details

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AMC Hoffman Center 22

206 Hoffman Street, Alexandria, VA
Film format: . List of Showtime Features:"

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Cinema Arts Theatre

9650 Main St, Fairfax, VA

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Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Producer:

Satoko Ishida

Writer:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Honobu Yonezawa

Runtime:

2hr 27m

Synopsis

Based on Honobu Yonezawa's novel. Set in 16th century Japan, follows Lord Murashige Araki who, besieged in his castle, confronts mysterious crimes and allies with imprisoned strategist Kanbei Kuroda to uncover the truth.

Cast

Munetaka Aoki
Tasuku Emoto
Yamato Kochi
Ryôta Miyadate
Masahiro Motoki
Joe Odagiri
Masaki Suda
Yuriko Yoshitaka

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.6

RATINGS 22 FANS

3.6

Jul 25, 2026

Got extremely excited in the first act when I thought this was going to be purely a murder mystery set in feudal Japan. It isn't, and what it quickly turns into is extremely good, but I can't say I wasn't temporarily disappointed. In any case Kurosawa's style lends itself…

388 Likes

matt lynch

Jul 31, 2026

For Janus: my notes and interview for THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER (黒牢城 / Kokurojo) “Toss him in the dungeon; do not let anyone see him and do not kill him. Keep him alive until I say otherwise.” So begins Honobu Yonezawa’s 2021 novel Kokurojo: The Samurai and the…

282 Likes

Adam Nayman

Aug 4, 2026

Always cool to see a modern master get to flex and play around in a classical form they clearly love, in this case the expertly calibrated ambient dread of Kurosawa’s horror films traded in for a patiently engrossing wartime jidaigeki straight out of the 50s-60s. As much as…

211 Likes

Josh Lewis
Aug 3, 2026

Come for the intriguing murder mystery, stay for the tea

144 Likes

Jared Gilman

Aug 1, 2026

i just know his wife was hitting the smoking duck gif when she heard that guy got struck by lightning

171 Likes

esther

May 19, 2026

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Kokurojo is a bit of Shakespeare and a bit of Samurai Columbo. I could have watched it for hours.

241 Likes

Brian Tallerico
Aug 2, 2026

 ̶R̶e̶s̶t̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶R̶u̶l̶e̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶W̶o̶r̶l̶d̶ ̶ Leave the World Behind Seen at IFC Center followed by an always great Q&A with Kurosawa

108 Likes

Brandon Streussnig

May 19, 2026

From my press notes for Janus : “The master of horror label fits Kurosawa even as it belies the true range of his output, and the deceptive elasticity of his style as well. The movie version of The Samurai and the Prisoner—faithfully adapted by the director from…

210 Likes

Adam Nayman

Aug 10, 2026

Figured this would be a who dun it but it quickly subverts expectations. Very beautiful film. Not my favorite Kiyoshi Kurosawa film but left satisfied.

54 Likes

Tyler Tremble

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Top Reviews

jam jammy jambam liked

The Samurai and the Prisoner

Advance screening at the lightbox followed by a Q&A with Kurosawa!

7D

Lily Harutiunian liked

The Samurai and the Prisoner

“Advance to Paradise, Retreat to Hell!”

4D