Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant, evocative, emotionally wrenching animation
Review: For anyone who is a fan of samurai films, wrenchingly emotional love stories, or just beautifully detailed animation, this film is highly recommended. For fans of the "Rurouni Kenshin" series, this is essential viewing, as we see Kenshin's past and learn about how he came to be the man he is in the TV show, set ten years after the end of this film.While the film is essential, I'm not sure that this version is really better than the earlier one. The "Director's Cut" combines all four episodes of this story, released earlier as two separate DVDs ("Trust" and "Betrayal"). The film has been letter-boxed for this edition, and there are some slight changes-- an added battle scene, bits of additional dialogue, etc. The biggest advantage of owning this version is being able to see the whole story without interruptions from credits or having to switch discs. At the same time, there are some things about the "Director's Cut" that are annoying. First, ADV films chose to remove the option of watching the English dub of the film with the English subtitles on. Granted, most people would chose either just the dub or the Japanese version with the subtitles, but keeping the subtitles on while watching the English dub can be helpful in showing additional detail about what's going on, and can point out where the English version changed things from the Japanese (which is occasionally important; in at least two scenes, characters give very different motivations for their actions in English and Japanese). ADV also chose to remove the extras which were present on the previous edition of this film-- the screenwriter's notes on the process of preparing the English edition, and a set of introductions to the historical characters in the film. I don't understand why they took these features out; they were both interesting and useful for an audience which probably doesn't know a lot about nineteenth-century Japanese history. Usually, one would expect a Director's Cut to have more extra features, not fewer. Because this was done by a different studio than the one that did the English version of the TV show, there are also some historical details or references to things that are important for the TV show that don't show up here in the dubbing. The English version wasn't aimed at an audience that would already know the show, while the original Japanese version was. Since this was done by a different studio, this also means that the English voice cast for "Samurai X--Trust and Betrayal" isn't the cast from the "Rurouni Kenshin" shows; this is only relevant for three characters, and is usually not too distracting.
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful addition
Review: Simply put, this DVD is a must own for Kenshin fans and new-comers alike. Having seen the OVA episodes in the past, the seamless combination is wonderful and in turn makes it somewhat easier to follow for all the nuances that die-hard fans are usually keen to pick up on later in the series and in the Seisouhen. The letterboxing, although technically pointless, is a nice touch for a cinematic feel. Definitely worth the purchase, I'm glad I added it to my collection and you will be too.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloody & violent, yet beautiful & well-told samurai drama.
Review: SAMURAI X is probably better referred to as the OAVs for a popular franchise called RURONI KENSHIN, as some fans detested the retitling of this four-part very much adult drama Anime. I am not a huge fan of samurai-inspired flicks with blood-spurting violence (NINJA SCROLL gave me a huge stomach ache from its opening sequence of men getting sawed in half and/or ripped of their arms), nor did I ever see the TV show that this show is inspired from, however, this story about a young assassin whose murderous ways are transformed by his dealings with a beautiful woman (whose husband-to-be he unknowingly killed) is surprisingly decent. The animation is spectacular, rivaling that of Miyazaki's best works, and the characterizations are complex and deep. The OAVs were made after the TV show of the same title, however, this 2-hour tale is far from the lightheartedness of that show. This is a dark, brooding, and emotionally gripping effort that could almost be passed off as a live-action movie. In addition to which this is not a story for young children; there is plenty of violence and, yes, bloodspurting -- and some of the killings are often brutal to watch. However, the violence is artistically portrayed without ever being gratuitous, pretty much in the same treatment as PRINCESS MONONOKE. And I was very much moved rather than sickened by the time this show came to a close; it's no wonder SAMURAI X has such a loyal following. I do not own this title; I merely watched it at an Anime club at college. The version I saw was dubbed (and not the "Director's Cut" as this title is labeled; just the four uncut OAVs). Considering that this dub was recorded by Monster Island Studios, who made the wonderful dub for NADIA: THE SECRET OF BLUE WATER, this dub for SAMURAI X sadly doesn't reach the same level of that former title. I cannot comment on any "rewrites", since I was unable to watch the subtitles. I will say, however, that the cast could have done a much better job. The problem isn't that the characters aren't well-voiced -- for the most part, the voices suit the characters quite well -- but the actors sound too much like they are just reading words instead of sinking into character. SAMURAI X's dub is not as horrendous as some purists scream, but it doesn't rank up with the better ones either. That said, the colors on the DVD looked sharp and crisp, probably even better than the only ADV titles on DVD that I own (NADIA, EVANGELION). I don't think I'll add this title to my collection, but I do not at all regret watching it once at an Anime club. In fact, (despite the okay but not great dub) this title passes as a highly recommended title to watch, if but for the beautiful artistry.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: Wow, I didn't actually think that ADV was going to release the directors cut in the USA. Basically its the same thing as Trust and betrayal, except that the two episodes are combined into one 2 hour movie, and put into "wide screen" (Top and bottom are just cut off). There are also a few extra scenes not included in the original version. If you already own Trust and Betrayal I suppose its up to you if you want to fork out another 30 bucks to see a couple extra scenes or not (the whole "wide screen" thing is pointless since they just cut the bottom and top off).
You might want to check your local video rental store first.
Rating:
Summary: If Kurosawa made anime....
Review: I bought an import DVD of this title after having fallen in love with the original version. The director's cut has had all of the section breaks removed, letting the story flow as a continuous two-hour movie. If you've never seen this OVA before, brace yourself. Its look and tone are almost completely different from the "Rurouni Kenshin" tv series and movie, with frivolity stripped away to yield a stunning examination of what happens to idealism when it's used to justify any means used to achieve those ideals. This OVA is not kid's stuff. It's violent and heart-rending and subtle, and you will never look at Kenshin the same way again. It's probably best appreciated after seeing the second season of the tv series, which introduces a number of characters who also appear here. And once you've grown accustomed to the way Kenshin behaves ten years after the war, it's truly eye-opening to see the way he was and how/why he changed to what he later became. However, it can also be watched on its own, without having seen any other RK at all. Some new footage was added to bump the runtime back up, but most of it is in tiny snippets that don't add much, with the spectacular exception of a battle sequence near the end where Kenshin fights his way across a bridge toward an artillery-besieged town. (By contrast, much more footage was added to the director's cut of Seisouhen (Reflections), including Kaoru's wedding and early married life, but no US release date has been announced for that as yet.) Buy it. Watch it. Never forget it.
Rating:
Summary: A True meaning of life
Review: I got this dvd 2 days ago and let me tell you it is the best! The action is quite spectacular and the visuals are stunning.Any anime fan should get or at least see it, even though i'm just an ordinary anime kind of guy! It is suggested 17+ but hey, im 13 and I enjoyed this as much as any person would, Its got blood and alcohol, Damn! They really should stop talking about saki, theyre obsessed with it!^_^ It is about a boy named Kenshin to some of us whose caretakers get killed. He gets saved by a master of the art of sword known as hiten-mitsurugi. Its whole visual style is superb. And as everyone says "they mix real life into it that makes it kind of silly" well, they do but it doesnt ruin the movie. This tells you everything you should know before the rurouni kenshin tv series.It has got hell alot of kick ass action. Of course youd think its all action its not, there is a HUGE chunk thats all romanc.It sucks that Tomoe died.But It is still a good dvd.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...
Review: the 2nd part of the OVA is superb!! We find out what happens to Kenshin and Tomoe as they are hiding from the government as a married couple. But could there be a plot against Kenshin, and is Tomoe a part of that plot or is she being used? Some exciting fight scenes, and beautiful animation makes this story more gripping. The ending is very sad, so be prepared! This is such a great, awesome series!! There's some amazing visuals in here too!! Like real footage of snow falling, water, fire and some real swords!! It's really cool how they did that! I think the English version is very good, the voice-acting is great too. I've never seen the Japanese version, and probably never will since I don't know Japanese, so I still say that the English dub is good. So don't let anyone discourage you from getting this because of ADV's adaption, it's still a remarkable and legendary series, no matter what language its in!! And you'll enjoy watching this over and over again!!
Rating:
Summary: Woah!!
Review: I loved this movie. The animation is superb (except in the few small scenes with intertwine real images with animation) and the story dark and chilling. Just for a note, this OVA (Original Video Animation) is properly titled Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Trust and Betrayal. Samurai X is an American title to catch buyers (just a note in case that turned you off).
Storywise, this is basically the story of a revolution against the tyrannical military-government in Japan, the Tokugawa Shogunate, a dictator who over-ruled the Emperor himself. Our anti-hero Kenshin's life is followed from his days as Shinta, and the meeting of his master, Hiko, to the end of his Hirokiri Battousai days. We have Kenshin as a little child, innocent with his top and memories of family, then Kenshin the brutal assassin for the Choshu (I believe that's who he worked for, haven't seen it in a few weeks) Clan, and finally we see Kenshin as the lover of Tomoe, a mysterious woman Kenshin meets after an ambush.
I don't wish to reveal the story any further. To sum up a recommendation, a dark and emotional story, superb animation (save the live action/animation shots which are minimal), a romance between two emotionally scarred people, fantasticly choreographied sword fights, and a two-for-one bundle. If this sounds like you, I bet you'd like Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Trust and Betrayal "Director's Cut" (Samurai X).
Rating:
Summary: Deeper and deeper we go into Kenshin's soul
Review: This movie explains a LOT of questions you might have about the series. (But it doesn't explain the red hair...)
If you have seen the series, then you have seen some of the hidden torment that hides in Kenshin's heart. Despite the goofy "cheerful" animation, there IS darkness there.
Trust & Betrayal takes an innocent child and stains his hands with blood that will never be washed away. Kenshin trusted himself to follow the right path and always defend the innocent (as he himself had been defended) but in the end he learned that he had betrayed his morals and caused suffering in the lives of the true innocents: those who were left to bury the dead.
There is so much more that I could say, but I doubt anyone reading a review wants to hear my philisophical pyschobabble about a movie you possibly haven't even seen yet. Just keep in mind that this is so much more than a "boy meets girl, boy kills a lot of people, girl tricks boy, boy kills no more" story.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Anime
Review: Anime that doesn't focus on action packed futuristic melo-drama is rare. The Samurai X OVAs bring to screen true period depictions of life as a wandering swordsman caught between the hero versus anti-hero manner of the waning Tokugawa Shogunate and the emerging neo-colonialistic Meiji Era.
Packed with soul-renching scenes and dialog, Trust & Betrayal, embodies master story-crafting and animation. Fight scenes, blood and gore are matter of fact and skillfully woven into the story line without being obtusely "required" to add spice to an already rich tale.
Although this Director's cut draws from the origins of the widely popular Rouroni Kenshin TV series, it does not depict the typical slapsticized misadventures with which many are familiar. Trust & Betrayal portrays a serious meta-play of circumstance, chance, discipline, endurance, forgiveness, and love.
It isn't without flaw, however. English dubbing, though masterfully done, doesn't give justice to the emotion that can be detected within the original Japanese script. Setting an English dialog with English subtitles betrays the differences of translation loss, and in a few frames, the re-mastering of subtitles actually fails (some lines of original subtitles can be seen on film). These are minor imperfections, though, and forgivable given the breadth and scope of the story and art.
Trust & Betrayal is best watched in its original Japanese dub with English subtitles. The story flows without distraction, and the souls of a wandering swordmaster and of those around him are given center stage.
This is a masterful tale told with excellent artistic rendition that leaves a longing for more.
Highly recommended for audiences 13 above with parental guidance for swordplay and violence. An excellent buy.
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