[4] The Shibata clan's historic betrayal in Niigata occurred during the intense Boshin War, Japan's most ferocious conflict.
However, Shigeru Okada, the head of Toei Kyoto Studio, was dissatisfied with the ending, so the project was shelved.
Sixty years later, the script was finally brought to life on screen, directed by Kazuya Shiraishi.
Closing review Ide wrote, The film focuses on its intense and violent action scenes, rather than subtlety.
Ide added, It excels in its production quality, showcasing impressive design work and beautifully rendered 19th-century Japanese architecture amid the extensive bloodshed.