Three Samurai: Heihachiro Komaki (Toshirô Mifune), Jutaro (Jurota) Karibe (Akira Takarada), and Akaboshi (Akihiko Hirata), all in love with the same woman: Lady Ochii aka Princess Chiyo (Yôko Tsukasa).
Komaki is a Japanese version of Cyrano. he has a big nose and knows that no woman would approach him, so he becomes the clown. Jurota is the one who the Princess loves, and, as a childhood friend of Komaki, asks him to protect her love. Akaboshi is in the shadows just hoping for a chance.
It is 1621 and a great war occurs. During the war Komaki writes many letters in Jurota's name. Jurota doesn't survive and Komaki goes into hiding as the Shogun never rests and continues to seek out his enemies - even 10 years later. Akaboshi is determined to remove the one remaining rival for his love and is a spy for the Shogun.
Mifune is spectacular in a beautifully done remake of Cyrano that has all the great elements of a Japanese movie. There are many fights, and a great battle, but there is no blood, as this is a love story. It is beautiful.
