Mysterious sprites, eerie supernatural goings on and heroic sword-fighting action abound in this mystical tale of vengeance and adventure from the makers of the Zatoichi, Daimajin and Yokai Monsters films. In Edo-era Japan, Sanshiro diligently hones his sword-fighting technique at the kendo dojo, but no amount of practice can hide the fact that he is both clumsy and cowardly. When his samurai father falls prey to a gang of murderous phantom thieves while on night watch duties, Sanshiro is drawn to the banks of the Sanzu River that separates the worlds of the living and the dead. Here he encounters a strange being that introduces itself as a Shokera. The otherworldly apparition offers advice on how Sanshiro can avenge his father with the aid of a mysterious potion with the power to turn him invisible. But first Sanshiro must gather the ingredients, and his father’s killers might be closer to home than he thinks. Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) and beautifully shot by Hiroshi Imai (Zatoichi and the Doomed Man, The Haunted Palace), The Invisible Swordsman boasts the sumptuous attention to its historical setting, costume design, fight choreography and period details that Daiei Kyoto were renowned for, all with an added dose of rip-roaring fantasy and adventure.
What We Thought:
The Invisible Swordsman sounds like a movie I’ve seen before. The concept sounds like something I’ve seen before as well. After watching the film, I don’t think I had seen it before. I’ve seen similar movies, but this exact film is new to me.
It definitely feels familiar, but it’s because the main plot is a familiar story. A young man is not good with his training. He’s terrible no matter what he tries. His father is killed by thieves and everyone thinks he needs to avenge his father’s death. But he doesn’t have it in him to do so until he’s given an ability to become invisible after acquiring three items and combining them into a potion. Although his invisibility doesn’t last long, he’s still able to embarrass those who wronged his family and seek out the answers to who was involved in his father’s murder.
Because it combines that tried & true story with supernatural elements the movie works well. The lead plays the clumsy, no confidence swordsman with ease and you root for him quickly. The supernatural elements don’t over power the movie, but adds another level to it. It would be easy for him to be some super samurai who dominates everyone, but they don’t go that way. He’s still clumsy and awkward when invisible so it adds a comical aspect to it. When he moves two bowls of noodles around or when he pushes a cart and the crowd can’t figure out who’s doing it, it lightens the mood from just being an average period revenge drama.
The Invisible Swordsman came out decades ago, but still feels relevant. A story of revenge will always be understandable, but by having the comedic angle it doesn’t feel like every other vengeance film. The fight choreography and stunts hold up as well. It being a period film the set design and costuming also work well. I’m sure it has a ton of fans so this new release will be right up their alley.
Bonus Features:
- LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- High-Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
- Original lossless Japanese mono audio
- Optional newly translated English subtitles
- Brand new audio commentary from author and Asian culture expert Jonathan Clements
- The Invisible People, a brand new interview with film critic Kim Newman on the history of invisibility in cinema
- Phantom Fighter, a brand new interview with film critic and Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jolyon Yates
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Zack Davisson
The Nerds Templar 