Chushingura movie

Japanese: 忠臣蔵映画 - ちゅうしんぐらえいが

In the film industry, there was once a saying that "if you're having trouble planning a hit film, try Chushingura," and Chushingura films were considered to be a surefire cash cow if they were made. This was obviously due to Chushingura's national popularity, but it should also be noted that the variety of characters, each of whom had their own moment to shine, made it suitable as a show to introduce the stars of each film company, a so-called all-star film. Furthermore, whether or not a Chushingura film could be produced as an all-star blockbuster was also seen as a barometer of the rise and fall of a film company, and each company made Chushingura films not only during the New Year and Obon seasons, but also as various commemorative works.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

かつて映画界には〈ヒット作の企画に困れば忠臣蔵〉という言い方があったほど，忠臣蔵映画は，つくれば必ず大ヒットするドル箱とされてきた。これは明らかに〈忠臣蔵〉が国民的人気をもつゆえであるが，登場人物が多彩で，しかも人物それぞれの見せ場のあることから，各映画会社のスターの〈顔見世番組〉，いわゆるオールスター作品としてふさわしいとされたことも見逃せない。そして，オールスター大作としての忠臣蔵映画を製作できるかどうかは，映画会社の盛衰を示すバロメーターともみなされ，各社は正月と盆の稼ぎ時のほかに，さまざまな記念作品として忠臣蔵映画をつくった。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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