11 Rebels
Set during the Japanese Revolution, 11 Rebels offers a fictionalized account of the Shibata clan's betrayal. Attempting to mollify both sides, the clan prepares for envoys of the current government, it sends a smattering of soldiers in a group made up mostly of pardoned convicts to defend an outpost outside the city, delaying forces from the other side of the war until the current envoys have left (allowing the clan to appear as if they are backing both sides).
11 Rebels follows the classic theme of a small group holding position against a much larger enemy. Tasked with protecting the small fortress, the group fight to defend each other believing, if they survive this suicide mission, they will earn their freedom. While exploring themes of loyalty, honor, and betrayal, the film is mostly interested in increasingly gory fight sequences which are well choreographed and shot.
Even if the larger politics at play are a bit unclear, 11 Rebels delivers what you would expect from the genre but with a definite style and care from director Kazuya Shiraishi which is better than expected, elevating the film from just another period action piece. It's not a must-see, but it is worth a look for audiences not put off by the foreign language setting or the copious amounts of blood and severed limbs.
- Title: 11 Rebels
- IMDb: link
