Part one of Kobayashi's epic trilogy is a bold, intelligent and deeply moving anti-war message, gripping like a vice for more than three hours. To be honest the second and third parts - while still impressive and boasting memorable individual scenes - did not hold together as well, and at times seemed rather repetitive/derivative of the first film.

One thing which did not disappoint across the nine hour tale was Tetsuya Nakadai's performance, magnetic throughout.