Shogun's Samurai (1978)

Shogun's Samurai 1978 / 柳生一族の陰謀 1978 / Yagu ichizoku no inbo , The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy , Intrigue of the Yagyu Clan

At the death of the second Tokugawa Shogun,rivalry is born to know who'll succeed him. His eldest son, Iemitsu Tokugawa is ugly, stutters, and seems to lack of charisma to take his father's place. With the help of chancellor Doi, his mother seems to have a preference for her youngest son, Tadanaga. But the Shogun's fencing master, Tajima Yagyu, and some court members support Iemitsu. Each side manage to convince their protégés to fight for the position as Shogun. Thus the two brothers end up by fighting with each other in war that mixes up battles and treasons.