Lord of Steel Heart (1961)
A classic Japanese samurai film of loyalty, betrayal, and one warrior's fight for survival in feudal Japan.
Lord of Steel Heart - Movie Information
- Original Title: 鉄火大名
- Release Year: 1961
- Directed by: Kokichi Uchide
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 9, 1961 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Tekka daimyo (JP)
- Production Companies: Toei Company
- Production Countries: Japan
Lord of Steel Heart - Plot
A Tokugawa Daimyo rebels against his lord after the battle of Sekigahara. Samurai Matabei, a famous spear fighter and warrior, is a vassal of lord Honjo. One of Honjo's most trusted under-lords is Sanzaemon. He has designs on Matabei's fief, and he plots to kill Matabei. He finally convinces Lord Honjo of Matabei's guilt. Now Matabei must fight to survive.
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Lord of Steel Heart - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kokichi Uchide
Main Cast
- Utaemon Ichikawa
- Jūshirō Konoe
- Sentarō Fushimi
- Kensaku Hara
- Hiroki Matsukata
- Isao Yamagata
- Keiko Okawa
- Shingo Yamashiro
- Shunji Sakai
- Kenji Susukida
Writers
- Hyōgo Suzuki
Lord of Steel Heart - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Lord of Steel Heart?
The film stars Utaemon Ichikawa as the heroic spear-fighter Matabei Goto, with Jūshirō Konoe, Isao Yamagata as the scheming Kuroda Sanzaemon, Keiko Okawa, Hiroki Matsukata, and Sentarō Fushimi rounding out the principal cast.
What is Lord of Steel Heart about?
Set in the turbulent aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara, the film follows Matabei, a renowned samurai spear-fighter, who becomes the target of a treacherous under-lord's deadly scheme. Falsely accused before his own master, Matabei must fight with everything he has just to stay alive.
When was Lord of Steel Heart released?
Lord of Steel Heart was released on January 9, 1961, in Japan. It was produced by Toei Company, one of Japan's most prolific studios during the golden age of the jidaigeki — or period drama — genre.
Who directed Lord of Steel Heart?
The film was directed by Kokichi Uchide, working within Toei Company's prolific samurai film output of the early 1960s. The screenplay was written by Hyōgo Suzuki, with cinematography by Ko Matsui and music composed by Eiichi Yamada.
Is Lord of Steel Heart based on a true story?
The film draws on the historical setting of the Battle of Sekigahara (1600) and features a character inspired by the legendary samurai Matabei Goto, a real historical figure known as a master spear-fighter. The specific plot of betrayal and survival, however, is a fictional dramatization.
How long is Lord of Steel Heart?
Lord of Steel Heart runs for 92 minutes — a tight, well-paced runtime that keeps the tension high from the political scheming of the opening act right through to Matabei's climactic fight for survival.
What language is Lord of Steel Heart in?
The film is entirely in Japanese, reflecting its origins as a Toei Company production made for Japanese audiences. It is an authentic piece of Japanese cinema from the early 1960s, deeply rooted in the country's rich jidaigeki storytelling tradition.
What are some movies similar to Lord of Steel Heart?
If you enjoy Lord of Steel Heart, you might also like Blade of the Immortal, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, and Gintama. These films share a love of samurai action, feudal Japanese settings, and stories of lone warriors facing overwhelming odds.
More About Lord of Steel Heart
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