This adaptation of the historical novel by Ryotaro Shiba.navigates between, well, adapting the book, and (trying to) find its own footing in history.
A much more truthful take on the turmoil in mid XIXth century Japanese society and the events that led to Meiji Restoration than the more "general public"-friendly Last Samurai, Baragaki focuses on the eventful life of Hijikita Toshizo, the vice-commandant of the Shinsengumi, the elite shogunate militia in charge of the protection of Kyoto when the central shogunate power was crumbling.
Most of the characters in the movie are based on historical existing figures (and props to Harada for including the "real" last Samurai, Jules Brunet, maybe as a small nudge to Last Samurai). Like Harada's previous historical features Sekigahara and the Emperor in August, Baragaki is -packed- with references that casual viewers may find hard to pick. The movie does not pause, things move quite fast, the dumbing down is limited, the background and explanations about the balance of power at the time are left to a minimum (besides a few scenes that are very obvious exposition dialogues). The viewer feels thrown right in the 1860s. The spectacle, even without the references in mind, is enjoyable enough, with a couple well shot swordfights and battles here and there to keep the non-history buffs interested in a flick filled with political talks about the power balance between various factions, treason, and treachery.
The movie is not for everyone. Readers of the novel will find that some characters seem close to their descriptions in the book (Okita Soji, specifically, seemed to jump from the pages) and the numerous aficionados of the Shinsengumi will have a lot to discuss...
