Tabaruzaka (1987): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1987, Tabaruzaka is an action, drama and history film directed by Buichi Saitō, running about 330 minutes.

What it’s about. Known as the ”Last Samurai” Saigo Takamori was a stout giant of a man with a huge head and a neck like a bear. As the leader of Satsuma’s anti-Western faction, he was instumental in establishing the Sat-Cho Alliance dreamed of by Sakamoto Ryoma. After the fall of the Tokugawa, Saigo rose to major prominence before falling in disfavor. In 1876 Saigo Takamori resigned from his government post and went back to Kagoshima. He founded a local military school and dissatisfied samurai gathered around him in large numbers. In late 1876 it came to an open conflict when samurai rebels raided and occupied ammunition and weapon depots of the central government. The samurai rebels urged and proclaimed Saigo Takamori as their leader. While the Tom Cruise movie fictionalized Saigo’s life story, this is history come to life in the most exciting rendition with an all-star cast that is not to be missed!

Who’s in it. Tabaruzaka stars Hiroshi Katsuno, Hisaya Morishige, Kei Satō and Kinnosuke Nakamura, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Tabaruzaka page.

If you liked it. Fans of Tabaruzaka tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.