Samurai Film Appreciation

[Method-Man]

Nakadai For Life!

- The 47 Ronin
- Goyokin
- Harakiri
- The Hidden Fortress
- Kagemusha
- Kill!
- Ran
- Rashomon
- Samurai Rebellion
- Samurai Spy
- Sanjuro
- Seven Samurai
- Sword of the Beast
- The Sword of Doom
- Throne of Blood
- Yojimbo

Has Anyone Seen This? Ansatsu (1964) (The Assassination)

I Still Need To Check Out Some More It Seems... Going Broke Next Year Wooooo!

[Severn]

Probably my FAVORITE series is Sleepy Eyes of Death. It was a part of that golden age Daiei era of Chambara films. As far as I know there is no US DVD of that one. All that's available is the VHS tapes from Animego that came out several years ago. It guest stars a lot of familiar actors to the chambara era. The main characters rival was played by Tomisaburo Wakayama (aka Ogami Itto from Lone wolf and Cub fame). Sadly however the actor who played the main character of Nemuri Kyoshiro died fairly young so they had to stop the series.

Nemuri Kyoshiro is probably the toughest samurai I’ve ever seen on film, although he has a penchant of getting poisoned by tea from a hot chick pretty frequently.

Seriously go do yourself a favor and see Sleepy Eyes of Death immediately.

Nemuri Kyoshiro 2: Shôbu (1964)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Adventure"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 3: Engetsugiri (1964)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Full Circle Killing"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 4: Joyoken (1964)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Seduction"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 1: Sappocho (1963)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Chinese Jade"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 5: Enjo-ken (1965)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Fire"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 7: Tajo-ken (1966)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Mask of the Princess"
Nemuri Kyôshirô 6: Masho-ken (1965)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 10: Onna jigoku (196
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Hell Is a Woman"
Nemuri Kyôshirô 11: Hito hada kumo (196
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider's Lair"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 12: Akujo-gari (1969)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Castle Menagerie"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 8: Burai-ken (1966)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy"
Nemuri Kyoshiro 9: Burai-Hikae masho no hada (1967)
aka "Sleepy Eyes of Death: A Trail of Traps"

[The Nightmare]

Great thread, my interest in Samurai films is growing fast. This is the perfect thread to keep an eye on.

[CJ_01976]

Originally Posted by The Nightmare

Great thread, my interest in Samurai films is growing fast. This is the perfect thread to keep an eye on.

You'll find out about many unseen gems for you here.

[MR SINISTER]

Nos' lazy ass has been planning to make this thread forever. I'm, glad someone else eventually did so.

Originally Posted by Hyakotake

"lady snowblood" anyone?

Hell yeah. That and the Lone Wolf and Cub series you mentioned are awesome.

For anyone looking for some gems... Method, Kamui and Bungle know where it's at. Not a single bad flick listed among them.

Here's a cool article I got off of the Criterion website: The Eighth Samurai: Tatsuya Nakadai

[Count Dragula]

Originally Posted by Severn

Seriously go do yourself a favor and see Sleepy Eyes of Death immediately.

Believe me, I fully intend to.. There are some japanese imports listed on http://us.yesasia.com/, but of course they run over 40$ a pop and I have no idea if they even have english subs. (EDIT - Sadly they don't) Oh well, the first 8 are seemingly easy to get boots of.. It's the remaining 4 that apparently are going to be a bitch to track down..

Originally Posted by MR SINISTER

Nos' lazy ass has been planning to make this thread forever. I'm, glad someone else eventually did so.

Yeah, Nos purposed this thread topic well over 6 months ago.. for one reason or another it just never seemed come into fruition. He's been busy as of late, but i'm eagerly awaiting his imput..

Originally Posted by MR SINISTER

Here's a cool article I got off of the Criterion website: The Eighth Samurai: Tatsuya Nakadai

Nakadai is the fucking shit... I love this guy. In my mind, he's the only true rival to Mifune. His work in the genre speaks for itself..

• Tenchu
• Tengu-tu
• Bandits Vs. Samurai Squadron
• Yojimbo
• Sanjuro
• Ran
• Kagemusha
• Goyokin
• Harakiri
• Zatoichi 21-The Festival of fire
• Sword of Doom
• Kill!
• Samurai Rebellion
• Portrait of Hell
• Illusion of Blood
• Hunter in the Dark

All amazing , and all just off the top of my head..

Shiiit, he even had the walk on shot in Seven Samurai as was forementioned in the article linked to above..

[Severn]

Originally Posted by Count Dragula

Believe me, I fully intend to.. There are some japanese imports listed on http://us.yesasia.com/, but of course they run over 40$ a pop and I have no idea if they even have english subs. (EDIT - Sadly they don't) Oh well, the first 8 are seemingly easy to get boots of.. It's the remaining 4 that apparently are going to be a bitch to track down.

I remember talking to the rep of Animeigo a few years ago and he told me that while Lone wolf and Cub and Razor were making their way to this new Media called DVD, SEOD was too unknown of a series to put on DVD. They are (or were) a small company so I didn't blame them. I think they lost the rights to all of their chambara films anyway. Shame because they took great care of their stuff.


Here is what they say from on their website about it:

Please note: as our license for this title has expired (and may not be renewed), it is currently unavailable. Your best bet for finding a copy is an online retailer or auction site.

He is a mysterious stranger, the samurai with the strange, sleepy eyes. His mother Japanese; his father a foreigner; he has no past, he wants no future. He calls himself Nemuri Kyoshiro, but those who challenge him face...

The Sleepy Eyes of Death!
Sleepy Eyes of Death is one of the longest-running (12 films) and best-loved samurai series of all time. Raizo Ichikawa (who sadly died at the age of 37) masterfully portrays Nemuri Kyoshiro, "the son of the Black Mass," a half-breed warrior in search of a perfect death, driven by his hatred of Christianity and of the society in which he lives.

Like all of Samurai Cinema's releases, Sleepy Eyes of Death is uncut, unedited, and presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio. Not a single drop of blood has been omitted!.

WARNING: Contains violence, some nudity, and adult situations.

[Count Dragula]

Just recently ordered the Satan's Sword trilogy and Sleepy Eyes Of Death 1-8, not looking too promising on getting the other 4 though... From what i've read, it doesn't even sound as if the remaining 4 have ever even been subtitled into english.

[Kamui_X]

Originally Posted by Count Dragula

Sleepy Eyes Of Death 1-8

I just did the same myself...I noticed that part 8 was added to that site in March of last year, so hopefully some people are working on subbing the 4 remaining films.

[Severn]

Originally Posted by Count Dragula

Just recently ordered the Satan's Sword trilogy and Sleepy Eyes Of Death 1-8, not looking too promising on getting the other 4 though... From what i've read, it doesn't even sound as if the remaining 4 have ever even been subtitled into english.

Awesome, I hope you enjoy them. The lead guy is so insanely charismatic. Also it is historical for the reason that its the first Japanese character to have a "super move". As it's called in the series the "Full Moon Cut".