Fugitive Samurai (1974)
DIRECTOR: Akinori Matsuo (The Dragon and The Tiger)
STARS: Kinnosuke Nakamura (Three Yakuza), Kôji Takahashi (Godzilla vs Biollante), Yoshiko Aoki, Rumi Matsumoto, Kôji Nanbaåra (Branded to Kill)
SYNOPSIS: Feature length movie made from the Japanese TV series based on the "Baby Cart / Shogun Assassin" films and stories. As in Shogun Assassin we see the loyal "Ogami Ittō" working as the shogun's samurai. The evil head of the Yagyū clan is plotting to take over and Ogami is set up as the fall guy for a crime he didn't commit. Although his wife is killed he's able to save his infant son "Daigorō" and begins the life of a wandering sword-for-hire while always looking over his back for bounty hunters eager to kill him. This appears to be made up of the first 2-3 episodes of the series and is basically an origin story. Although it does have its share of action, because it's a television production, don't expect the same level of blood and gore found in the classic original films. You'll see some familiar scenes like Daigoro making a choice in his life's path by picking either a rubber ball or a samurai sword, or Ogami using the sun's rays reflected in his blade to blind an opponent. Nakamura does a good job as the no-nonsense hero and Takahashi is fine as the crazed Yagyū leader. Worth checking out for fans of the series who want to see a different take on this tale. Dubbed in English.
Fullscreen / Color
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R
DIRECTOR: Akinori Matsuo (The Dragon and The Tiger)
STARS: Kinnosuke Nakamura (Three Yakuza), Kôji Takahashi (Godzilla vs Biollante), Yoshiko Aoki, Rumi Matsumoto, Kôji Nanbaåra (Branded to Kill)
SYNOPSIS: Feature length movie made from the Japanese TV series based on the "Baby Cart / Shogun Assassin" films and stories. As in Shogun Assassin we see the loyal "Ogami Ittō" working as the shogun's samurai. The evil head of the Yagyū clan is plotting to take over and Ogami is set up as the fall guy for a crime he didn't commit. Although his wife is killed he's able to save his infant son "Daigorō" and begins the life of a wandering sword-for-hire while always looking over his back for bounty hunters eager to kill him. This appears to be made up of the first 2-3 episodes of the series and is basically an origin story. Although it does have its share of action, because it's a television production, don't expect the same level of blood and gore found in the classic original films. You'll see some familiar scenes like Daigoro making a choice in his life's path by picking either a rubber ball or a samurai sword, or Ogami using the sun's rays reflected in his blade to blind an opponent. Nakamura does a good job as the no-nonsense hero and Takahashi is fine as the crazed Yagyū leader. Worth checking out for fans of the series who want to see a different take on this tale. Dubbed in English.
Fullscreen / Color
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R
DIRECTOR: Akinori Matsuo (The Dragon and The Tiger)
STARS: Kinnosuke Nakamura (Three Yakuza), Kôji Takahashi (Godzilla vs Biollante), Yoshiko Aoki, Rumi Matsumoto, Kôji Nanbaåra (Branded to Kill)
SYNOPSIS: Feature length movie made from the Japanese TV series based on the "Baby Cart / Shogun Assassin" films and stories. As in Shogun Assassin we see the loyal "Ogami Ittō" working as the shogun's samurai. The evil head of the Yagyū clan is plotting to take over and Ogami is set up as the fall guy for a crime he didn't commit. Although his wife is killed he's able to save his infant son "Daigorō" and begins the life of a wandering sword-for-hire while always looking over his back for bounty hunters eager to kill him. This appears to be made up of the first 2-3 episodes of the series and is basically an origin story. Although it does have its share of action, because it's a television production, don't expect the same level of blood and gore found in the classic original films. You'll see some familiar scenes like Daigoro making a choice in his life's path by picking either a rubber ball or a samurai sword, or Ogami using the sun's rays reflected in his blade to blind an opponent. Nakamura does a good job as the no-nonsense hero and Takahashi is fine as the crazed Yagyū leader. Worth checking out for fans of the series who want to see a different take on this tale. Dubbed in English.
Fullscreen / Color
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R