I really enjoyed this 2010 slaughter-fest action drama from Takashi Miike. Thirteen men, mostly samurai (led by Koji Yokusho—”Shall We Dance”!) including a Ronin and men in training, but also some commoners, band together in 1844 at the behest of the councilor to the Shogun to kill their lord’s evil, sadistic and pathological brother who endangers the peace and stability of all Japan. It places the obligation of the samurai as feudal retainer tied to a lord against the obligation to serve the people and acknowledges the oppressive reality of that regime. Very well done, although the carnage is extreme. Although they are engaged to act as assassins, they serve the system as well. Very much in the tradition of “Seven Samurai” A very good film