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THE WICKED PRIEST
(Gokuaku Bozu)
During the Taisho Period
(early 1920's) a monastery of
warrior monks was split apart between two factions. One of
these factions was led by the Chief Abbot and his
protégé, Shinkai. When
Shinkai intercedes in a fight between a rival priest and
some ruffians
it leads to his expulsion from the order. This story
introduced us to
the character of Shinkai, a 'Karate Priest' and his
long running feud
with Ryotatsu, his greatest rival. There are touches
of humor as
Shinkai breaks all the commandments of a priest, including
fighting,
gambling, and running after women. All this leads to an
awesome
conclusion as he must destroy a gang of yakuza aided by
corrupt
priests. The fighting is fast and furious as Ryotatsu waits
to see if
Shinkai can live long enough to face him in the ultimate
test!
Directed by: SAEKI Kiyoshi
Starring:
WAKAYAMA Tomisaburo,
TACHIBANA Masumi, SHIRAKI Mari,
ENDO Tatsuo, SUGAWARA Bunta
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WICKED
PRIEST #3 (Gokuaku Bozu Nembutsu
Hitokiri Tabi)
Starring: Wakayama Tomisaburo,
Sugawara Bunta
Directed by: Harada Takashi
Shinkai comes to the aid of a coastal
village being held hostage by a group of political revolutionaries. The
climax of this film features an extraordinary swordfight on the beach at
sunrise. As in all the films in this series, there is a meeting between
Shinkai and his former best friend, the Ryotatsu the Whipmaster, a blind
priest who seeks revenge on Shinkai for taking his sight in the first
film in the series.
Letterbox
edition with English subtitles
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WICKED PRIEST #5
(Gokuaku Bozu Nomu Utsu Kau)
Toei color 89 min.
Starring: Wakayama Tomisaburo, Sugawara Bunta, Shimura
Takashi
Directed by: Saito Buichi
As the Killer Priest Shinkai travels around Japan during
the Meiji era, he comes to the aid of a village headman fighting
corruption from up above. Before he can do anything for the townspeople,
he must first face his nemesis, Whipmaster, the blind Priest, a master
killer thirsting for revenge.Letterbox edition
with English subtitles
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WICKED PRIEST #4 (Gokuaku Bozu Nembutsu Sandan Giri)
Toei color 94 min.
Starring: Wakayama Tomisaburo, Sugawara Bunta
Directed by: Harada Takashi
In Meiji Period Japan, the carrying of swords had been outlawed, so Shikai, the Killer Priest carries his sword disguised as a Priest’s staff. One of the strongest entries in the series, Shinkai is badly injured, and must face his worst enemy in what could be their final showdown.
Letterbox edition with English subtitles
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KILLER’S
MISSION (Shokin
Kasegi) Toei color 90 min.
- Starring: Wakayama
Tomisaburo, Nogawa Yumiko, Kataoka Chiezo
- Directed by: Ozawa
Shigehiro
Acting under the Shogun’s
orders Shikoro Ichibei must try to stop the sale of modern Dutch
guns to the revolutionary Satsuma Clan, so they cannot rise
against the Shogunate and take over Japan. Ichibei has to go
down to Satsuma on the island of Kyushyu where blends in by
appearing to be a blind man.
Full frame video with English
subtitles
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