The last screenplay written by Japan's most famous director is a wonderful film which returns to the feeling of
Kurosawa's greatest works, films like YOJIMBO and
SANJURO. The story concerns a group of travelers stuck at a riverside inn during a torrential rainstorm that closed the river crossing. One of the travelers is a ronin of great ability who catches the eye of a local lord (Mifune Shiro, Toshiro's son) and gets to test for the position of sword instructor for the clan. An out and out great film that was dedicated to the memory of the late master Kurosawa Akira.
KURONEKO
One of the great classic ghost/cat
stories has finally come to DVD at long last. KURONEKO is the crowning
achievement of SHINDO Kaneto, creator of ONIBABA. The story is loosely
based on the Japanese folktale "The Cat's Return" A mother and
daughter-in-law are raped and murdered by samurai, but return from the
dead as vampire cats bent on revenge. As the ghosts lure samurai
warriors to their deaths, their surviving son/husband Gintoki is sent to
stop their reign of terror.
Newly re-mastered from a stunning anamorphic print, this film is
enhanced for widescreen (16:9) televisions. A true work of art from
a great auteur, this is Shindo's masterpiece available for the first
time in all its glory!
OWLS' CASTLE
Famed director
Shinoda Masahiro
(SAMURAI SPY, DOUBLE SUICIDE) reached the zenith of
his career with this remarkable remake of the old
Toei Ninja film from the 1960's, "The Castle of
Owls". After Oda Nobunaga has destroyed the Ninja of
Iga, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi has taken over as the
most powerful man in all Japan, the last remaining survivors of Iga are hired to
assassinate Hideyoshi, (played by Mako, in
his best role since THE SAND PEBBLES). One of the
most stunning visual works of art ever created for
the motion picture screen, this is a true
masterpiece! Shinoda reaches new heights of
brilliance having co-written the screenplay from a
novel by Shiba Ryotaro. Can these stealthy
warriors carry out the impossible mission and reach
Hideyoshi, tucked away safely in his fortified
castle?
“Bakumatsu,” which literally
means the “end of the Shogunate rule,” or the “end
of the Tokugawa Period,” is a truly moving and
historic motion picture about the men who devoted
their lives to bringing about governmental reform in
Japan. From the year 1603 until about 1700, the
Tokugawa Shogunate was able to maintain a peaceful
and orderly government by exercising strict law
enforcement upon the people. Edo and Osaka
flourished into great cities; the population also
increased rapidly. Moreover, on the cultural side,
popular arts such as the theatre, novel, and color
prints began to flourish. However, after the first
one quarter of the 18th Century, economic disasters
combined with numerous other causes led to the
weakening of the Shogunal system, until finally on
December 9, 1868, the declaration of the new Meiji
government brought to an end the historic 250 years
of rule under the Tokugawa family. The groups
involved in the overthrow of the Shogunate were the
Satsuma and Choshu clans of western Japan which
joined forces to put an end to the Tokugawa
Shogunate and the power that it wielded.
BAKUMATSU depicts the disturbed times in
Japan and reveals the attitude of the young men at
that time who believed that the real ruler of Japan
should be the Emperor. The theme is mainly centered
on the wise and magnificent Sakamoto Ryoma, a
samurai of the Tosa Clan who removed himself from
the feudal duties of a warrior to become a “ronin”
or “masterless samurai”. The story of Ryoma’s life
is traced from the time he leaves his hometown of
Tosa and engages in efforts to unite the Satsuma and
Choshu clans, up until the Imperial Restoration.
BAKUMATSU, a Nakamura Kinnosuke
production, is a motion picture filled with action,
romance, and emotion. It stars Nakamura Kinnosuke
in the leading role of Sakamoto Ryoma, and Yoshinaga Sayuri, the Nikkatsu starlet, in the
role of Oryu, Ryoma’s beautiful wife. Other notable
stars include Mifune Toshiro, Nakadai Tatsuya,
Nakamura Katsuo, Eri Chiemi, and Kobayashi Keiju.
Directed by the great master Ito Daisuke, this is
the true story of how Sakamoto Ryoma’s wisdom and
strength found a way to unite a divided Japan.
This is the true story of SAKAMOTO Ryoma
(NAKAMURA Kinnosuke) generally considered to be the
architect of the "Bakumatsu" (Downfall of the
Tokugawa Shogunate) as finally engineered by the
joining of the Choshu and Satsuma Clans against the
Tokugawa power structure. His dream was to allow the
opening of Japan to the West in order to learn its
technology and then take that same technology to
defeat the West in future battles. Considered an
outlaw by his own clan, hunted as a rebel by the
government, and hated by both supporters of the
Shogun, and Loyalists as well. His is a tale cloaked
in danger, and powerful in its historical
significance. Co-starring NAKADAI Tatsuya as Ryoma's
lifelong friend NAKAOKA Shintaro, they share the
dream of a modern Japan with a Navy and Army that
can stand tall with the rest of the world. Now in stock: $29.95
Newly restored Anamorphic Widescreen print, enhanced for 16:9
televisions. One of the greatest early samurai films is now
available in a state of the art widescreen print.
Like the USA, Japan has a rich history told through the use of
motion pictures. Timeless stories which have been told many
times were done as silent pictures, then re-made again and again
in each succeeding era. One of the most often filmed stories is
that of of Japan’s greatest novel “The Great Bodhissatva Pass”,
which tells the story of Tsukue Ryunosuke, a master
swordsman with an evil style, reflecting the evil in his heart.
His ruthless ways and merciless killings leave behind an
unsettled past which eventually catches up to him.
Reprising his role as
Ryunosuke from an earlier version
of the story, Kataoka Chiezo shows why he was such a huge
movie star. He expertly portrays the slightly sad, and sometimes
mad swordsman, pursued by the youthful Hyoma (Nakamura
Kinnosuke), who is bent on revenge for the slaying of his
older brother.
This film is the first of a trilogy, but goes further than the
other versions, not stopping with the fire at the Inn, but going
well on into the next chapter of the story. Learn what happened
to Ryunosuke after the night of blood and flames!!!
This is the second installment of the trilogy based on
Japan's greatest novel "The Great Bodhisattva Pass",
following the life and times of bloodthirsty samurai, Tsukue
Ryunosuke. Blinded in an explosion and further injured from
a fall, the master swordsman is taken in by Otoyo, a woman
who falls in love with him. Under Otoyo's dedicated care,
Ryunosuke's physical and emotional wounds seem to heal. However, deep inside, the demons that drive him to kill
yearn to resurface. Meanwhile he is being pursued by Utsugi
Hyoma, a young samurai seeking to avenge his brother's death
at Tsukue's hands. Hyoma is being aided along the way by the
clever thief Shichibei.
Enhanced for Widescreen (16:9) Televisions
VENGEANCE IS SUCH A
GREAT BUSINESS (Sukedachiya Sukeroku)
This is the
final movie from Okamoto Kihachi, the filmmaker who directed
such great movies as “Sword Of Doom”, “Kill”, and “Red
Lion”. With an equal mix of violence and humor he has forged
a career that spanned over 4 decades and created some of the
most memorable films to ever come out of Japan. This is no
exception, and the hand of a master is evident in his
treatment of this highly entertaining story.
In a world where vendettas are officially sanctioned, the
people sometimes needed help in carrying out their
vengeance. Sanada Hiroyuki stars as Sukeroku the Helper, a
‘cool and rambling yakuza’ that has made a business out of
helping victims carry out their revenge. When he returns to
his hometown to pay a visit to his mother’s grave he meets a
deadly ronin who carries a secret which eventually leads him
into a vendetta of his own. With terrific performances by
Sanada and Nakadai Tatsuya as the mysterious old ronin, this
film brings back the golden era of Japanese cinema!
SANADA Hiroyuki, SUZUKI Kyoka, NAKADAI
Tatsuya Music by: YAMASHITA Yosuke Directed by: OKAMOTO
Kihachi
The one-armed, one-eyed swordsman of Japanese legend is back in this humorous, yet exciting action tale. Tange Sazen is one of Japan's most popular folk heroes, who despite being maimed has become one of the foremost fencers in the land. Risking his life to help others, he is always a powerful figure. In this new version of the legend, we have an excellent performance by noted actor. Toyokawa Etsushi as he brings a popular figure to life once again!
Based on a novel
by FUJISAWA Shuhei , who also wrote the source
material for Twilight Samurai and The Hidden
Blade, KUROTSUCHI Mitsuo's film is a
beautiful tale of love and honor. A youth named Maki
Bunshiro is asked to bring a young girl named Fuku to a
fireworks festival. Their instant attraction will lead
to some of the most gripping action and drama in the
annals of film.
Featuring plenty
of superb swordplay, this tale of the lifelong romance
that defied all odds is a brilliant example of Japanese
television at its finest. With a great cast that
includes such stalwarts as motion picture legend Hira
Mikijiro, this is not to be missed.
Awarded the Golden Nymph Prize at the Monte Carlo Film
Festival-TV Division.
In part 1 "The Storm", the two young people meet,
not having an inkling of their future.
While Maki Bunshiro will grow up to become the area's
Magistrate, Maki Sukezaemon, the twists of fate have
only begun.
Part 2 "The Trap" brings us closer to the couple
and the action which heats up considerably. With martial
arts contests and premeditated attacks, this episode
bridges the gap between the innocence of youth and the
jaded experience that comes with age.
The third and final part, "The Passing Years",
features some of the best swordplay in the entire
series. Powerful and exciting, the action really heats
up as we reach the conclusion. Bunshiro, a true samurai,
who survived tragedy in his youth, has become a great
swordsman and defender of the weak.
The tale of his
valor and the love of his life, Fuku, is a story for the
ages!
5 hours+ (315
minutes)
THE CRUEL STORY
(Bakumatsu Zankoku Monogatari)
Re-mastered
Anamorphic Widescreen (16:9)
This is one of the
bloodiest black and white films from the mid-sixties. This film tell
the brutal story of a young recruit to the Shinsengumi, the para-military
force of ronin led by Kondo Isami, and made famous to the west in
Sword of Doom. This is another view of that group without the usual
whitewashing of their character. The full translation of the title
tells it all. A Cruel Story set during the fall of the Tokugawa
Shogunate. It's a powerful indictment of the brutality going on in
Japan at the time in the name of keeping the West out of the
country. Finally re-mastered from a new superior anamorphic
widescreen print with improved subtitles and theatrical trailer, it
is a superb motion picture that is not to be missed.
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