Eureka! Classics
Shogun’s Samurai
Specifications
- Japan, 1978
- directed by Kinji Fukasaku
- 1.78:1
- monaural, Japanese
- colour, 180 minutes
- Certificate: 15
- Date Released: January 2009
DVD Features
- Photo Gallery
- Directors Profile
- Promotional Clips
- Japanese original audio with English subtitles
Eureka! Classics | From the director of TORA! TORA! and BATTLE ROYALE
Combining elements of action, adventure and drama, the fully restored and digitally re-mastered Shogun’s Samurai is now available on DVD.
Directed by veteran Japanese filmmaker, Kinji Fukasaku (Tora! Tora! Tora! Battle Royale) and starring one of the greatest martial arts stars Sonny Chiba (Kill Bill: Volume I, Street Fighter), Shogun’s Samurai is an all out action epic tale of loyalty and betrayal, political intrigue, battles and spectacular sword fights in true Japanese style.
It’s Imperial Japan, 1624, the current Shogun General Hidetada has died under mysterious circumstances leaving the succession in doubt – his eldest son Lemestsu (Hiroki Matsukata) should succeed but he is disfigured and stammers. His younger brother, Tadanaga (Teruhiko Saigo) seems better suited to the role and had the backing of his father, before his untimely death, as well as most of the powerful lords. A war between the two brothers soon erupts both recruiting not only government officials but also anybody who is looking for one last fight. Meanwhile the Emperor and his courtiers plot behind the scenes to exploit the chaos and return to power and it soon becomes clear that in a winner takes all struggle for power there are no heroes and villains, only winners and losers.