Sansho the Bailiff

"Without mercy, Man is like a beast. Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others. Men are created equal."

Sansho the Bailiff was based on a previous story, a fact that is hinted at by the way the film is prefaced. The story of the film gives it a larger-than-life feel, and helps us accept the scope of the plot. One of the film’s strengths is its characters. The film lets us empathize with these characters who have gone through incredible hardship. This is a family that we truly want to see reunited.

The film tells us at the beginning that the story takes place in “an era when mankind had not yet awakened as human beings." This is a fascinating statement alone, but it is pushed further when coupled with the philosophy of the top quote. This film itself could be viewed with a philosophical lense, as it features characters who attempt to be merciful to all, even the most sadistic.

Finally, this film is visually beautiful. While we see this throughout, in the pictured scene it is paired with restraint from the filmmakers that is appropriately haunting.