Hidden Fortress, The (1958)

[bunniefuu]

Stay away from me!

You stink of dead bodies.

Stop it!
We both smell of corpses.

And it's all your fault.

Your smell gets me to vomit.

Though shitworms can't smell sh*t.

What?

You're a shitworm.
You make me sick.

And you said we'd make a
fortune if we went to the w*r.

What's so funny, you idiot?

It's all funny.

First, we arrived late to the w*r.

Then they mistook us
for the defeated side

and forced us to bury the dead.

We finally escaped,

and now it's been two days
that we've only had water.

But the funniest thing is
your stupid crybaby face.

Let's go home.

Don't you have any pride?

We've even been stripped of
the arms we sold our homes for.

We can't go home like this.

Then take it off this dead guy.

Even if I'm desperate,
I'm not a thief.

Do what you want.
I'm going.

Go. I'll come home
after I make a buck.

Don't come crying to me then.

Get caught again
and be a gravedigger.

Fool! Go away!

It'll be a blessing to see you go,

you shitworm!

We can't cross the border
from this road.

It's a Yamana checkpoint.

Not even a mouse could pass
through those barricades.

If they find us, we're dead.

What now?

Unless a fog rolls in,
we can't move.

What does it say up there?

It's a notice about a reward
for 10 pieces of gold.

Read it to me.

“Wanted."

Princess Yuki of Akizuki.

A reward of 10 ryo for her capture.

3 ryo

for information as
to her whereabouts.

By order of the Lord of Yamana.”

Move! Walk!

What are you doing?
Move!

Walk!

He's running away.
Get him!

I'm not one of them.

I'm thankful for the fog,
but I can't see anything.

Which way is Hayakawa?

Shut up and follow me!

What was that?

Who goes there?

Not grave digging again.

Keep walking!

Hey, it's Matashichi!

Matashichi!

Damn you!

Walk!

Listen!

There is 200 kan of pure
gold hidden in this castle.

Until you find it, you're no
longer men but moles.

So dig!
Dig until you drop, moles!

Matashichi, this is hell.

It's the end.

If we're going to die,
let's die together.

That way!

Thieves! Rice thieves!

What shall we do now?

Find the princess.

The princess?

The sole survivor of the Akizuki clan.

I think the reward
on her head is 10 ryo.

Ten pieces of gold?

Informers get three.

Three pieces of gold?

It's no good.
That's only a dream.

If we get greedy and get
caught, we're done for.

I guess we'd better go home.

But how will we cross the border?

Bang and we're dead.

Let's eat.

I can't think on an empty stomach.

Not ready.

These don't burn at all.

What's this?

Why? It's gold.

You're right. it's gold.

But...

a piece of gold inside a stick?

I've heard of a rich man hiding gold
in the pillars of his home, but...

What's this? An insignia.

Looks like a crescent.

The crescent is the Akizuki crest.

That's the reserve gold they
were digging for in the castle.

Tahei, you made the fire.
Where did you get the wood?

Let's split up and look.

I'll go this way. You go
over there to the marsh.

Hey, Tahei!

The same piece.

What are you doing?

One's mine.

I found both.

I found the stick first.
I threw it.

I picked up the gold.

Liar! I'm the one who
noticed it was gold.

Let's go back.

Back?

There must be more.

If someone else notices it,
we're done for.

He's following us.

Watch out. Maybe he's a bandit.

He's not a bandit.
He has no sword.

You can't be sure.
He may work for one.

He stopped following us.

Let's go back.

No, better be careful.

It's late, anyway.
It won't hurt to wait one night.

It's a big job.
Better safe than sorry.

We haven't seen that guy since,
so maybe we didn't need to worry.

Probably a lumberjack
or a charcoal maker.

So, let's get this straight now.

What?

Don't play dumb.
How to split up the gold.

Let's be fair and divide it equally.

You don't like it?

But I... Then it's settled.
All right?

Let's sleep.

Sleep tight, and let's dream
of mountains of gold.

Hey!

Good eve...

Hey!

Cold, isn't it?

What are you doing here
in the mountains?

How about you?

Us?

We intend to cross the border.

The border?

We want to go to Hayakawa.
Hayakawa?

But beyond the mountains
it's Yamana.

Yes... but you see...

to go to Hayakawa...

This is Hayakawa.

And this is

Akizuki where we are now.

This is...

Yamana.

We want to go from
Akizuki to Hayakawa.

But the border is guarded
by Yamana soldiers.

So...

we'll cross first to Yamana

and then slip into Hayakawa.

See...

there's no way that survivors
of the Akizuki clan

would go to Yamana,
the enemy territory.

So the border between
Akizuki and Yamana

should be open.

That's right.

The Hayakawa-Yamana
border must be easier to cross

than the Akizuki-Hayakawa border.

Anyway, we're just peasants.

Even if anything happened,
we'd still make it.

All right.
I've made up my mind.

Going through Yamana
is a good idea.

The 200 gold pieces are useless here,

but with three men and three
horses, we can carry it out.

200 gold pieces?
What are you talking about?

Be honest.

I've got an eye on that place.

Don't kick the stones.

You stop grabbing my leg.

What now?

What's he doing?

He's not here.

Where did he go?

That guy can't be trusted.

What is this place?

It's what they call a hidden fortress.

A hidden fortress?
The Akizuki one?

Look. You can see all of Yamana.

But...

for a fortress, it's strangely empty.

Someone's there!

What are you doing?

Oh, it's that guy.

Come down quickly!

How did you get down here?

What are your names?

I'm Matashichi.

I'm Tahei.

Matashichi, put the rice down.

Tahei, you put the
rice in the pot.

Hurry UP!

Where's the water?

I need a drink before the food.

Me too. I can't even
spit anymore.

Hey! What's your name?

Me?

I'm Rokurota Makabe.

Rokurota Makabe?
I've heard that name before.

Makabe...

Rokurota Makabe...

Get out of here!

Rokurota Makabe is a legendary
Akizuki samurai general.

You take us for fools.

We shouldn't put up with this.

Hey!

Stop fooling around. You're
no general. You're just a bully.

What's with the big attitude?

Don't make fun of us!

Damn you!

What?

That wasn't very nice.

You could have told us there
was a secret passageway.

We've been partners since last night.

Besides, just because
you found this place first

doesn't mean you're the boss.

Let's decide now how
we're going to divvy it up.

Fair and square, we share it
in three equal parts. Deal?

There's the water.

Tastes great!

Excellent.

This is some fortress,
with water like this.

What the hell?

Don't bother.

I already went through there.
Just prepare the rice.

Shut up! I can't take it anymore.
You can stuff your orders.

You want to fight?
Don't hold back!

Do him in!

Cook the rice.

It's a girl.

Where is she? Who is she?

I don't know.

She's really quick, though.
She's already gone.

Look. She's mine, okay?
I'll k*ll you if you go near her.

Cook, and then it's work.

What are you waiting for?

Don't touch me, fool!
It's uncomfortable enough.

It's your face that makes
me uncomfortable.

Leave my face alone.

I hate the way you
blink all the time.

There you go again.

Shut up!

Put your filthy teeth away.

Show them to me once more
and I'll bash them in.

I'm quitting. This is idiotic.
I dig and dig and nothing.

It's his fault.

Damn it! Gone again.

He's on his high horse
watching us do all the work.

Right. He's probably running
around looking for that girl.

Maybe he already found a place
and is sleeping with her.

We agreed to split everything in
three. The girl should be the same.

That bully isn't just anyone.

I can't figure out what he's up to.

He may already have found the
200 pieces of gold and moved them.

That's very likely. I'm sure of it.

That means he's hiding
the gold right now.

So if he's not in this fortress...

Look! There's something
suspicious about that spring.

Pretending like he's already
checked it out. Damn!

Where do you live?

Hey, lady, don't be mad.

Damn it!

You...

Wait!

What are you doing?

Shut up!

I told you I'd k*ll you
if you touched her!

Wait, boss. it's not fair.

Look.

The girl dropped this.

Don't go behind our back.
She's worth 10 ryo.

This does not belong
to a mountain girl.

Maybe you think she's
the Akizuki princess?

You're right.

That comb does
belong to Princess Yuki.

But now it belongs to me.
Give it back.

I took it from the princess
and gave it to her.

What?
I don't lie.

Then where is Princess Yuki?

I captured her and handed her
over to the Yamana authorities.

Careful. I think he's full of crap.

Here's the reward of 10 ryo.
Still think it's a lie?

Tell me!
Where did Matashichi go?

I don't know.

What are you plotting? Tell me!

To the town.

The town? To do what?

He went to report.

Report who?

The princess, of course.
The princess?

We're not as stupid as you think.

You thought you had us fooled,
but we're not that gullible.

I know your game.

The ten gold coins you
promised as a reward

are just part of the hidden gold
you've got stashed away.

You're greedy on top of it.

You want to capture the princess
yourself so you can have all the reward.

It won't go so smoothly.

I made a mistake by relying on scum.

You think you're better, scum?

Matashichi,
did you see the officers?

Fool! Do you think
I'd be back so soon?

It's the talk of the town already.

The princess was captured a while back,
and she was beheaded yesterday.

Boss, we're sorry we doubted you.

It's Rokurota Makabe.

Welcome back.

Any news?

Kofuyu served her duty.

The enemy will relax their guard now.

Now is our chance to escape.

What happened to Kofuyu?

As a dutiful servant, my sister
went in place of your Highness.

This assures the safety
of your Highness.

Rokurota!

Fool! What are you
saying, your Highness?

Kofuyu was 16... I am 16.

What difference is
there in our souls?

It is our duty as servants.

Kofuyu was honored...

Lies!

If I were Kofuyu,
I would curse this princess.

Your words are too harsh.
Rokurota is in an awkward position.

Be quiet!

I don't even want
to see your face.

Your nobility doesn't
let you shed a tear...

even when you've k*lled your sister.

Princess!

I hate it.

I hate it.

I don't know what to
do with her Highness.

It's the lord's fault.

Even if he was lacking an heir,

it was cruel to raise
her Highness like a boy.

Say right and she'll go left,
say left and she'll go right.

And though she is a girl,

she has never shown me a tear.

The same with her present behavior.

Insensitive to your pain of
having sacrificed your sister,

she herself doesn't shed a tear,
but she still criticizes you.

It's too much.

Her Highness is the real sacrifice.

Her suffering is having
to rebuild the Akizuki clan.

The Yamana soldiers are here!

There are horses at the spring.

This is good.

To fool the Yamana by
going through enemy lines.

This was the peasants' idea.

Depending on their answers,
I was ready to k*ll them.

But hearing their plan to go
through Yamana to Hayakawa,

I was stunned.

Sometimes even moss can be smart.

How long can we rely on them?

We can rely on their greed.

Make them carry gold and
they'll put up with anything.

That takes care of the gold.

But we cannot take a
chance with the princess.

But staying here isn't safe either.

This hidden fortress will soon be
discovered by the Yamana too.

And our deal with Lord
Hayakawa may not last either.

Understood.

But what shall we do
with the princess?

We can disguise her looks,
but not her class.

And her speech...

Her Highness will have to be a mute.

A mute?

Isn't there any other way?

There isn't.

I don't know if the
princess would agree.

Leave it to me.

I hadn't ridden in a long time.

She runs fast. She's too
good to be a packhorse.

Just in case you need to ride.

So we finally pass
through enemy lines.

Speaking of which,
could you play mute?

Mute?

I'm sure you couldn't do it.

To go through Yamana, my
greatest concern is your speech.

We were discussing
how you could be mute,

but I think it's impossible.

I was captured once and
had to pretend to be a mute.

It was agony.

Your Highness couldn't take it.

I'm not biting.

When you say right,
I say left.

I'm a handful.

Very well.

Let me use reverse psychology.

Princess.

Just like you.

All right. This once
I will let you fool me.

Otherwise your plan will be foiled.

Princess!

Your noble face again.

If you need anything,
tell me now.

Once I'm a mute, I'm not
talking until Hayakawa.

We have to tell him.

The bully? Never mind him.

Idiot, be quiet!
We'll get caught.

You too!

Where are you going?

Boss, run! The Yamana
soldiers have found us.

There were horses

by the spring.

Idiots. I stole those.

We can't carry 200 pieces
of gold without them.

Gold?

We'll climb down today.

Where's the gold?

Hey, where's the gold?

Hey, where's the gold?

Don't hold out on us.
Come on.

I knew it.

Don't fool around with us.

You said you had already
gone through there.

Why did you make us
dig at the fortress?

I was testing you.

We'll need a lot of backbone
on the road. You did well.

Lift the gold out of the
water and onto the horses.

The three of us will
carry the rest.

Gold!

Leave the gold in the wood.

Hey, Tahei!

Damn it!

Where did you hide this?

You're so suspicious.
That's just firewood.

It's a bad idea to take the girl.
She'll slow us down.

What if she blabs?

She's mute. Don't worry.
Mute?

Stop!

This will be an easy
border to cross.

Wait.

Better be cautious.

Don't move till I come back.

If we want to get rid of him,
now's our chance.

Don't worry. She's mute.

She's mute but she can hear.

Stupid.

A mute can't speak
because she's deaf.

This is where we have to think.

He's sly, so we can't trust him
even if we cross into Hayakawa.

He'll cheat us.

Let's run away.

What about his load?

We can't carry it.

We'll take his horse.

There's no time to argue.

Let's tell her we're taking
the horses for a drink.

Fool! They're not drinking sake.

Hurry!

What are you doing?

Where are the horses?

What shall we do?

Princess!

Princess!

It's frustrating to be a mute.
All I can do is watch.

The two of them?

Out of greed, they
took the horses.

Then the enemy spotted them.
Fine allies.

You!

We can't cross that river.

There's a firing squad
on the other side.

I know your game.

Take the gold and get lost!

He's gone.

He's not here.

Boss!
Where are you, boss?

There he is.

Boss, the other side is
lined with Yamana soldiers.

What would you do?

What do I care?

What are you doing?

Wait and see at the fortress?

Shut up! Go away!

Please, take us with you.

We promise to behave.

What's that?

The Yamana found it.

What will we do?

We're leaving.

Which way?

Straight ahead.

You're joking!

Leave it to me.
I have a plan.

Your pass?

Your pass!

Wait!

Boss!

Next!

Your pass.

What's your problem?

I picked up something.

What? it's just a piece of wood.

I found it at Mt. Suribachi.

He found this.

Gold!

The Akizuki crest.

You really found it
at Mt. Suribachi?

Bring me my horse!

That gold is mine.
Give it back. No.

Give me the gold or a reward.

Shut up.

Get lost.

Give me a reward.
I won't move.

You b*stard!

A reward! Give me a reward!

A reward!

Greedy!

Two or three loaded horses,
several men and a girl.

If you see such a group,
arrest them immediately.

There are signs that Princess
Yuki's party has been here.

But she was beheaded.

Using a double is nothing new.

You also saw the smoke
rise on the mountain.

That was Akizuki's hidden fortress.

It was guarded by an old
soldier and two others.

They could have escaped.

Instead, they burned the fortress
and fought to the end.

It appears they wanted to signal
and gain time for others to escape.

The princess and a few men
escaped with the gold for sure.

There are traces on the road.

Don't slack off. Catch them
and you will be rewarded.

Boss.

Are you okay, boss?

Let's take a back road.

Stop sneaking around.
It invites suspicion.

But...

What are you doing?

We're staying here tonight.

Here?

You've got to be kidding me.
Let's hurry through the night.

It's a long way. Let's not push it.

Then let's camp out.

Hide a stone among stones
and a man among men.

Where will we hide the gold?

Leave it out in the open.

You're so slow!

Pay attention and bring some water!

Always crying, but you
refuse to take johns.

You were a lousy deal.

Where did you get her?

In Akizuki.

Lose a w*r and plenty
of women go on sale.

How much?

Five silver pieces. Want her?

Idiot! I'm not a dog like you!

You're bluffing.

No, sorry.

Look here.

Look.

Average-looking, but excellent body.

How about it?

For one silver piece,
she's yours for the night.

What's the use of buying a woman
who won't take customers?

How much is she?

She's a looker!

She's not one of yours?

I'll buy her.
Who does she belong to?

Whose girl is she?

I'll buy her!
I'll buy her for a piece of gold!

Enough!

She's a mute.
Mute?

That's too bad. I'll pass.

Who owns the horse outside?

Is it yours?

Do you want to sell her to me?
I'll give you whatever you want.

But my load...

She's too good for a packhorse.

Five silver pieces.

You can buy five horses.

Boss, what shall we do?

Two horses aren't enough
for everything.

It's hard to find another one.

Damn, this really stinks.

There's no time for girls.

Buy that girl back.

I cannot.

Why not? I am the
Princess of Akizuki.

I can't bear to see one
of our own in trouble.

No, you're the one in trouble.

Your kindness will
be your downfall.

I don't care.

Buy her back.

No!

You cannot make
my heart mute too!

A cart was a bad idea.

We're the horses now.

And we've even taken in that girl.

Stop following us. Go away.

Go back to Akizuki.

Don't stop! Keep going!

Have you seen four people,
three horses and a girl?

If you do,
report them immediately.

It went well. We're lucky.

Who said a cart was a bad idea?

You were grumbling about the girl.

But those men are stupid.
Why not check the wood?

What shall we do now?

Keep calm!

Put it down!

Report them!

Run! Wait on the hill.

Damn you!

Why, if it isn't Rokurota Makabe!

Hey, Hyoe Tadokoro!

Stand aside!
You're no match for him.

A rare meeting.

I regret not meeting you on
the b*ttlefield this time around.

I regret it too.

How about a duel?

With pleasure.

With what? A spear?

Sounds good.

All of them are inferior,
but choose one.

I lost!

Wait!

We will meet again.

Rokurota!

Rokurota!

Firewood? What about firewood?

Apparently there's gold
hidden in the wood.

They're hiding here with all that.

Four of them.
One girl with 3 men.

She's Princess Yuki from Akizuki.

The reward is 20
pieces of gold for her.

Five pieces just for information.

Don't jump the g*n.
It won't be easy.

A strong general,
Rokurota Makabe, is with her.

It's cold!

It's been three days now.

More rain. More rain.
What?

We can't move even if it stops.

We go out there and
we'll get beheaded.

You madman!
Are you glad to be beheaded?

Why not?

It's better than putting up with this.

Then give up the
gold and get lost.

Good idea.

I'm leaving.

But I'm taking all I can carry.

I'll be set for life.

I'm leaving too.

Great.

What's left is all mine.

Take what you want and beat it.

But we're not getting anywhere.

Where are you going?

I'm going to find something
to put the gold in.

Whoever draws the shorter
one disappears for a while.

He's late.

I'm sure he'll be back soon.

What's going on?
Everyone's carrying wood.

I know.
It's the Fire Festival.

Haven't you heard of
the Yamana Fire Festival,

where the villagers dance
around a bonfire?

We lucked out.

They're going in our direction.
If we join the crowd...

I don't get it.

Why do we have to
patrol a Fire Festival?

Look. There's a lot of
wood at the festival.

The Akizuki clan may hide here
with their gold hidden in firewood.

What's this?

What's wrong?
We'll push together.

There's too much wood to check.

We'll inspect the suspicious ones...

who stray from the crowd.

Where is everyone?
At the festival.

Marching with the crowd.

The life of a man

Burn it in the fire

The life of an insect

Throw it into the fire

When you realize

The world is dark

Life is just a dream

Lose yourself

Burn it!
Throw the cart into the fire!

No!

Don't be stingy, fool!

No!

They're suspicious.

Move!

Burn it!

Make room!
Here we go!

No, don't!

Dance!

That's enough.
Let's pack it up.

But, boss, there's more.

Don't be greedy.

There's no point taking
more than we can carry.

You two carry 30 kan each.

I'll carry 40. With the two
women, that's 20 more.

What?
I can carry 40 kan too.

I'll carry 50 kan.

Hurry UP!

It's such a shame to
leave that gold.

Go back?

Where are you going?

No more.

What are you looking for?

Help!

Boss, help us!

If you want to live,
pick up your load.

Follow me!

Matashichi!

Hurry up! We can cross
the mountain overnight.

It's hard. I'd rather be dead.

Then die.

What?

Boss!

Calm down!

Don't stand up!

Listen! I'll run and distract them.
Escape while you can.

Hey!

We're done for.
Let's run!

Farewell!

Did you say something?

I'm not worth it.

Leave me and go!

This is the end.

If we get caught, they'll k*ll us.

Not if we don't have any gold.

We'll turn them in.

You're right. Maybe we'll
even get a reward.

Idiot!

They'll sh**t us if
we're not careful.

I'm sure Yamana's increasing
the patrols at the Hayakawa border.

We can report them there.

Princess!

Your Highness! Hayakawa!

Are you joking? We got
them and their gold long ago.

Go home, fools.

Let's drink up!

Look carefully!

You won't see 200
gold pieces again.

Wait.

I'd rather see Princess Yuki.

She's a sight for sore eyes.

To think she'll be
beheaded tomorrow...

Stay back!
Just a glance.

Let me through!

Tadokoro here to identify them.

Hyoe Tadokoro!

What happened to you?

Where did you get that scar?

You've changed.

Naturally.

Tell me what happened.

We're on opposite sides,
but we're true friends.

Friends'?

Then why did you let me survive
the shame of my defeat?

To defeat an enemy yet let
him live may seem kind,

but it's cruel.

Look at me. Look!

My lord shamed me
before everyone.

See the scar left by the
relentless beating?

Curse you!

Fool!

So this is the great Hyoe Tadokoro?

What you make of another's
kindness is up to you.

As is the lord,
so is the retainer.

To punish you so
for losing to an enemy...

Even I would not
dare such a thing.

I'm the princess, it's me.

That's enough!

I appreciate your loyalty,
but this is it.

I want to die with dignity.

Your Highness, your servant
Rokurota cannot apologize enough.

You endured so much
and it was all in vain.

You're wrong, Rokurota.

I have enjoyed the journey.

The happiness of these days

I would have never known
living in the castle.

I've seen people as they are,
without pretense.

I've seen their beauty...

and their ugliness...

with my own eyes.

Rokurota, I thank you.

I can now die without regret.

Your Highness!

Rokurota.

That Fire Festival was wonderful.

That song has stayed with me.

The life of a man

Burn it in the fire

The life of an insect

Throw it into the fire

When you realize

The world is dark

Life is just a dream

Lose yourself

The life of a man

Burn it in the fire

Let's burn it!

Turn the horses around!

Turn them around, I said!

He's mad!

Get them!

Hurry, Rokurota!
Take the princess!

Let go!

She is a great leader.
Serve her well.

Hyoe!

Don't die in vain!
If you wish, follow us!

Come!

Very well.

Forgive this traitor!

Damn.

When I got to Hayakawa
with the gold,

I imagined I'd be so happy.

We're lucky to have our heads.

Let's stay friends.

We risked death together.

We'll stay friends back in the village.

Stray horses.

Gold!

This is all mine.

What?
Give me one of them.

I found them first.

You're greedy.

You said we should
split everything fifty-fifty.

That was then. This is now.

You shithead!

You.

Are you from the Akizuki clan?

No, we're just peasants.

I don't get it.
Peasants with all this gold?

Arrest them!

Let's stay friends in heaven too.

Matashichi! Tahei!

Look up!

What? it's me.

No wonder.

Even I didn't recognize you.

Your armor becomes you.

Rokurota Makabe.

You look even more handsome.

You don't recognize
your Princess Yuki?

The mute. The mute girl.

Matashichi.

Tahei.

You two went through a lot for us.

However, that gold is indispensable
funds to restore Akizuki.

Not I, not even the
princess, can take it.

I hope you will be
satisfied with this.

Here.

Split it fairly.

No fighting.

You keep this.

No, you keep it.

But...

Don't worry about it.

THE END