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A decades-old unproduced screenplay set during Japan’s 1868-’69 civil war has been dusted off and given thoroughly modern action-movie treatment in Kazuya Shiraishi’s “11 Rebels.” A highly entertaining and highly blood-drenched take on the trusty old tale of crooks and miscreants embarking on a military suicide mission on the promise of being pardoned should they happen to survive, “11 Rebels” has just the right balance of spectacular swordplay, revenge-fueled drama and double-crossing political intrigue.

After opening the Tokyo Film Festival, Shiraishi’s lusty samurai slash-’em-up will march into Japanese cinemas on Nov. 1. A slightly different version of the film has been acquired for North America by specialty distributor Well Go USA. Fans of FX’s smash-hit “Shogun” series should find plenty to like about this handsomely produced tale set in the dying days of feudal Japan. In the broader scope of samurai cinema, it combines the chamber...

Imagine an intrigue thriller mated with a forged identity comedy set in early 1700s Edo. Hayato Kawai's “Don't Lose Your Head” (formerly known as “Migawari Mission”) fits that description perfectly by its story. The story itself might be enough to secure it some festival exposure either at genre festival circuit in East Asia or at international festivals specialised in Asian cinema, such as Toronto Japanese Film Festival, but positive reviews should not be taken for granted.

Don't Lose Your Head is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival

Takaaki Kira (Tsuyoshi Muro) did not have any luck in life. Born as a nobleman's youngest son, he did not inherit anything, so he wanders the world begging for money and food, while his older brother Kozukenosuke (played by the same actor) enjoys all the privilege with little responsibility. When Kozukenosuke oversteps every boundary and insults rival clan leader Lord Asano (Ukon Onoe...