A young lord attempts to combat the official corruption endemic to the Shogunate, only to be placed in an impossible conflict of duties. He refuses to bribe a Chancelor who is responsible for teaching him the etiquette to receive the Shogun's envoys. The Chancelor goads him into drawing his sword when the envoys are present, a crime punishable by death. The young lord's vassals are ordered to break up his estate, and his samurai to disband. To obey the Shogun, they must follow orders, but to be loyal to their master and to elemental fairness, they must revenge him. The conflict of obligations is the essential dilemma of Japanese society, which is why this is their national epic. The story is richly woven. Worth seeing just for the supremely gorgeous art works, buildings and costumes of 18th century Japan.

In March of 1701, the incorruptible young Lord Asano of Ako is appointed to receive and entertain imperial envoys calling on the shogun in Edo. Lord Kira, his supervisor, expects graft payments for every bit of advice, but Asano will have no part of bribery. Kira goads Asano beyond endurance, and the young lord finally draws his sword and wounds Kira. Asano is ordered to commit harakiri and his fief is forfeited. Chamberlain Oishi, Asano's chief retainer, calls a meeting of Asano's men, and they swear to avenge the injustice to their late master. To insure his family's safety, Oishi divorces his wife and sends her away with their children. Oishi then moves to Kyoto and descends to a life of debauchery to mislead Kira, who surrounds himself with bodyguards, fearing a vendetta. Twenty-one months later, after much spying on both sides, the group of 47 avengers acquire the plans of Kira's mansion, complete their plot, and attack. After decapitating Kira they march to Lord Asano's grave where the populace greets them as heroes. After deliberation, the sentence of death is passed on the 47 retainers, but in recognition of their loyalty to their lord and the approval of the populace, they are not executed like common criminals but are allowed to die by their own hands as befits true samurai.