A Japanese box-office sensation directed by the revered Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Legend of the Eight Samurai brings together an impressive ensemble cast, including Hiroko Yakushimaru (Sailor Suit and Machine Gun), Hiroyuki Sanada (Ring), Sonny Chiba (Message from Space) and Etsuko Shihomi (The Street Fighter), in a sweeping epic that blends fantasy with historical drama.
The Satomi Clan have been all but wiped out by their mortal enemies: the ghoulish members of the undead Hikita Clan. The last Satomi survivor is Princess Shizu (Yakushimaru), who goes into hiding to avoid meeting the same fate as her family. Left to wander on her own, she eventually becomes entangled with farmer-turned-soldier Shinbei (Sanada) and then a pair of warrior monks who reveal themselves to be two of eight fabled Hakkenden – or “Dog Warriors” – who can lift the curse that has been placed upon her family. Together, they must find the rest of the Hakkenden and take on the leader of the Hikita Clan: the evil Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki).
What We Thought:
Legend of the Eight Samurai feels like a lot of other Samurai films, but as someone who enjoys the genre I liked it. What separates it from being just another Samurai film is the talent involved. Kinji Fukasaku was a Japanese legend behind the camera and the cast includes Sonny Chiba and Hiroyuki Sanada in one of his first post-child star films. It was the highest grossing movie in Japan when it was released in the early 1980s and was nominated for multiple awards in Japan.
The plot is very familiar with the family of a princess being killed. She then goes on the run trying to escape from those who killed them. On her travels she meets up with Sanada and learns of a curse put on her family. She also teams up with others who show her how she can avenge her family using eight mythical beads which can reveal eight dog-warriors that can lift the family curse. Sanada may not be the man she thinks he is and there is an epic battle at the end.
I can see why this did so well in Japan back in the day. The cast and talent involved is top-notch and it has some cool special effects. Production value is fantastic with great settings and backdrops and stellar wardrobe and props. It’s everything you want and expect in a period fantasy flick. Chiba could do this type of bad guy role in his sleep at this point, but that’s what made him such a great actor. Sanada became a heartthrob in the 80s thanks to characters like this. Heck he’s still a good looking guy in his 60s now. Hiroko Yakushimaru plays the princess lead and she was a pop star and in multiple award worthy films.
Despite being familiar with a lot of Chiba and Sanada films, I don’t think I had seen Legend of the Eight Samurai before. I was aware of it, but watching it felt like a first time. The talent involved raises it from being just another Samurai film and I’m sure it has a ton of fans. This Blu-ray release features a 4K restoration and the movie looks great. It also comes with commentary, interviews and more. If you are a fan of the film, Chiba or Sanada then it is definitely…
RECOMMENDED!
The Nerds Templar 