Celebrated 1950s Japanese film from director Teinosuke Kinugasa that won praise for its use of colour photography and the dramatic tension of its storyline. When samurai warrior Morit (Kazuo Hasegawa)'s quick thinking saves the life of the ruling empress during an attempted coup he is offered his choice of reward. Morit declares that he desires only the hand in marriage of one of the court's ladies-in-waiting, Lady Kesa (Machiko Kyô), who helped him execute the plan. Morit is told that Lady Kesa is already married but this doesn't prevent him from pursuing her with a relentlessness that threatens to end in disaster for all concerned.