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Lone Wolf & Cub (1972)
Lone Wolf and Cub
DVD Box Set- Available seperately
Director: Kenji Misumi
Writer: Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima
Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Fumio Watanabe, Tomoko Mayama, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi
The samurai film is a staple of Japanese cinema in the same way that the western is to the U.S.A. Similarly there is a massive selection to choose from ranging from masterpieces all the way down to clichéd stinkers.
Lone Wolf and Cub and its five quality sequels are universally acknowledged as some of the finest examples of the genre. Director Kenji Misumi sharpened his blade in the early 60’s with the ultra successful Zatoichi series about a blind swordsman. Putting what he learned to good use, 10 years later the Director forged out this classic.
The massive saga begins with Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru AKA Lone Wolf and Cub AKA Sword of Vengeance. Father and Husband Ogami Itto is a top level assassin for one of feudal Japans most powerful clans. Lethal and unstoppable he is betrayed and set up for treason, after the slaughter of his wife he vows a wrath of god like vengeance on those who double crossed him.
With his toddler son Daigoro in tow and following the way of the Samurai our Ronin hacks his way across the countryside, decimating any that stand in the way of his path to satisfying honour.
John Doe says: (9/10)
This live action adaptation of a Manga Graphic Novel is more lethal than a fistful of ninja and as visceral as the House of Blue Leaves when Beatrix (The Bride) cuts loose.
Lone Wolf and Cub is a ferocious eastern adventure where the corn syrup is sprayed not applied, the lightning quick swordplay is stunt choreography, at its most finely tuned.
Flesh and steel constantly collide in this overwhelming assault of action spectacle, where streams of blood flow like a firehose.
Shot with dizzying and picturesque cinematography, exceptional editing and containing physical feats that will leave you in awe. The Wide-angle shots of the invincible warrior wheeling a pram gently through hills and valleys add the essence of the extra dimension this Pentalogy has to offer.
Tomisaburo Wakayama (the notorious Hanzo Hattori, Black Rain) fills the frame, his charismatic presence dominates and his silences have power and depth to match vintage Toshiro Mifune. (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo)
Jaw dropping skill with a blade, combined with the loyalty and discipline of the Bushido code is what has drawn me back to these types of films throughout my life.
Getting more violent with each chapter, the entire series fits together becoming an epic look at a time where combat was a part of life and only the practiced, focused and patient survived.
The DVD:
Available individually, The 6 disc box set contains all the films in widescreen with a Japanese soundtrack and English subtitles.
The day I bought this box set was one of the happiest of my DVD collecting life. Until now these were very hard to find and only the dedicated had a copy for home cinema viewing. (Generally taped of SBS) The trailers for the films are included, the lack of extras don’t reduce this packages worth.
Trivia:
**Director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream, Pi) is in the process of remaking the first film for a 2008 release.
***Under the name Shogun Assassin- Lone Wolf and Cub 5 & 6 were edited together for a US release in the 1980’s. Essentially it was a greatest hits of the fights removing much of the story from the 2 films. It became a cult hit all its own.
Writer: Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima
The samurai film is a staple of Japanese cinema in the same way that the western is to the U.S.A. Similarly there is a massive selection to choose from ranging from masterpieces all the way down to clichéd stinkers.
Lone Wolf and Cub and its five quality sequels are universally acknowledged as some of the finest examples of the genre. Director Kenji Misumi sharpened his blade in the early 60’s with the ultra successful Zatoichi series about a blind swordsman. Putting what he learned to good use, 10 years later the Director forged out this classic.
The massive saga begins with Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru AKA Lone Wolf and Cub AKA Sword of Vengeance. Father and Husband Ogami Itto is a top level assassin for one of feudal Japans most powerful clans. Lethal and unstoppable he is betrayed and set up for treason, after the slaughter of his wife he vows a wrath of god like vengeance on those who double crossed him.
With his toddler son Daigoro in tow and following the way of the Samurai our Ronin hacks his way across the countryside, decimating any that stand in the way of his path to satisfying honour.
John Doe says: (9/10)
This live action adaptation of a Manga Graphic Novel is more lethal than a fistful of ninja and as visceral as the House of Blue Leaves when Beatrix (The Bride) cuts loose.
Lone Wolf and Cub is a ferocious eastern adventure where the corn syrup is sprayed not applied, the lightning quick swordplay is stunt choreography, at its most finely tuned.
Flesh and steel constantly collide in this overwhelming assault of action spectacle, where streams of blood flow like a firehose.
Shot with dizzying and picturesque cinematography, exceptional editing and containing physical feats that will leave you in awe. The Wide-angle shots of the invincible warrior wheeling a pram gently through hills and valleys add the essence of the extra dimension this Pentalogy has to offer.
Tomisaburo Wakayama (the notorious Hanzo Hattori, Black Rain) fills the frame, his charismatic presence dominates and his silences have power and depth to match vintage Toshiro Mifune. (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo)
Jaw dropping skill with a blade, combined with the loyalty and discipline of the Bushido code is what has drawn me back to these types of films throughout my life.
Getting more violent with each chapter, the entire series fits together becoming an epic look at a time where combat was a part of life and only the practiced, focused and patient survived.
The DVD:
Available individually, The 6 disc box set contains all the films in widescreen with a Japanese soundtrack and English subtitles.
The day I bought this box set was one of the happiest of my DVD collecting life. Until now these were very hard to find and only the dedicated had a copy for home cinema viewing. (Generally taped of SBS) The trailers for the films are included, the lack of extras don’t reduce this packages worth.
Trivia:
**Director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream, Pi) is in the process of remaking the first film for a 2008 release.
***Under the name Shogun Assassin- Lone Wolf and Cub 5 & 6 were edited together for a US release in the 1980’s. Essentially it was a greatest hits of the fights removing much of the story from the 2 films. It became a cult hit all its own.
"You are all going to die by my sword. And its going to be bloody"
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If its hardcore samurai action you want then Lone Wolf is teh bst place to start.
At the moment Im just going through my DVD collection at home and reviewing the ones that are above average. Fortunately that could keep me going for years.