In 17th century Japan, Young Lord Masato returns after years abroad to find everything changed: his peace-loving father has died in what he soon finds to be mysterious circumstances, and his mother's married to his uncle, whose ruthless ambition is causing turmoil in the kingdom. Not knowing who to trust, Masato feigns madness, vowing to get to the truth, even though his act causes distress to the girl he loves, who's waited for him all these years. The ghost of his father turns up now and then to show him the way. Meanwhile a peasant revolt is brewing... It all ends tragically.

大川橋蔵主演、名匠・加藤泰監督が、シェークスピアの『ハムレット』を翻案し、瀬戸内海をのぞむ王見城の若君が、父を謀殺し城主となった叔父への復しゅうを誓う時代劇。

瀬戸内海をのぞむ王見城の若君・王見正人。留学先の明から帰国した彼を待ち受けたのは父・勝正の急死だった。叔父の師景が正人の母・時子を妻にして城主となり、悪政によって民を苦しめていることを知った正人は、乱心を装って皆の目を欺き、父の死の真相が師景の謀略であることを追及、敵を討とうとするが…。大川橋蔵主演、名匠・加藤泰監督が、シェークスピアの『ハムレット』を翻案映画化した、スペクタクル時代劇。