A beautiful yarn combining whodunit and history epic about historical lord Araki Murashige and equally historical samurai, and later lord Kuroda Yoshitaka figuring in the film under his nickname Kanbei. Excellent in execution and acting of the main characters it presents three mythical charades, which turn out a part of elaborate power play by the scheming lord Yoshitaka whence in gaol. A real Yoshitaka seems to be less noble and self-effacing than the character in the movie being Talleyrand of his age -- betraying his overlords as soon as opportunity had arisen.
