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Samurai Films Festival
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VHS samurai catalog at Amazon.com
DVD samurai catalog at Amazon.com
Magic Lantern's Cinema of Japan Page
Magic Lantern's Kurosawa/Mifune Films Page
Magic Lantern's 47 Rônin / Chüshingura Film Festival
People
director Hideo Gosha [1929-92]
considered to be the master of samurai action films in Japan
Hideo Gosha videos/DVDs • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Gosha's directorial debut "Three Outlaw Samurai" [1964]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z8FWE
actor Raizô Ichikawa VIII [1931-69]
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
director Hiroshi Inagaki [1905-80]
videos/DVDs • browse books •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
'Samurai' series: new DVD boxed set | VHS | DVD
actor Shintarô Katsu [1931-97]
IMDb listing •
'Zato-Ichi' series on IMDb
the 26 original 'Zato-Ichi' films [1962-89] on Magic Lantern's 'Zato-Ichi' Page
Magic Lantern's
director Akira Kurosawa [1910-98] Page
Magic Lantern's Kurosawa/Mifune Films Page
director Kenjo Misumi [1921-75]
videos/DVDs • IMDb listing • no entry at Wikipedia
film series include 'Baby Cart', 'Zatôichi' & 'Nemuri Kyoshiro'
director Kenji Mizoguchi [1898-1956]
videos/DVDs • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actor Tatsuya Nakadai
videos/DVDs • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Magic Lantern's
director Yasujiro Ozu [1903-63] Page
director Yoji Yamada
videos/DVDs •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Samurai Film Series
| Magic Lantern's 'Lone Wolf & Cub' Series Page the manga comics, the original six films, the hit TV series, the 'Shogun Assassin' series, and much more. |
"Lone Wolf and Cub" [Kamala Films 2014?] 
Announced 3/2012: Justin Lin ("Fast Five") will direct, script assigned to David & Janet Peoples •
latest info at IMDb
 | Magic Lantern's 'Zatôichi, The Blind Swordsman' Series Page the 26 original films [1962-89] with Shintarô Katsu [1931-97] were based on the novels by Kan Shimozawa {not available on Amazon} |
'Samurai X / Rurôni Kenshin' anime
posters • browse DVDs • browse videos •
tv series credits
'Nemuri Kyoshiro' Series
Based on the novels by Renzaburô Shibata [1917-78]: not available on Amazon; credits at IMDb
original films [1958-69] with Raizô Ichikawa [1931-69]: videos/DVDs | IMDb listing
 | "Nemuri Kyoshiro Volume 1" [2004] by Shibata Renzaburo Gutsoon Ent. pb [6/2004] out of print/rare |
Magic Lantern's Kurosawa/Mifune Films Page
Selected Samurai Films
{ in alphabetical order }
browse keyword 'samurai' at Internet Movie Database
films yet to be added include "Adventure of Kyoshiro Nemuri" [1963] & sequels;
"Kwaidan" [1964]; "The River Fuefuki" [1960]; "Tanga Sazen" [1953];
"The Wanderers" [1973]; and "Warring Clans" [1963] by Okamoto
 | "Rebel Samurai Collection" on DVD
Criterion b&w/color DVD [10/2005] for $89.99 Four 'Sixties Swordplay Classics': Hideo Gosha's "Sword of The Beast" [1965]; Masahiro Shinoda's "Samurai Spy" [1965]; Masaki Kobayashi's "Samurai Rebellion" [1967] starring Toshirô Mifune; and Kihachi Okamoto's "Kill!" [1968] starring Tatsuya Nakadai & Etsushi Takahashi – each also on this page as individual films |
"Azumi"
[Toho Japan May 2003, USA July 2006]
 |
A gray-bearded samurai has trained ten orphans in martial arts; he gives them a final task, which is to kill their best friend; he then leads the five survivors, including the girl warrior Azumi, out of the mountains to prevent a civil war between Ieyasi, the Tokugawa Shogun, and the usurper Hideyoshi clan.
Co-produced & co-written by Mataichirô Yamamoto; directed by Ryûhei Kitamura; based on the manga comic series by Yu Koyama; starring Aya Ueto, Yoshio Harada, Yuma Ishigaki, Kenji Kohashi, Aya Okamoto, Masatô Ibu, Naoto Takenaka, Kazuki Kitamura & Joe Odagiri; won 3 awards from the Japanese Academy
Rising Sun Prodns color DVD [2/2008] for $29.95 AsiaVision color subtitled DVD [11/2006] 2 disks - out of prodn/used extras on 2006 DVD include 4 featurettes, cast & crew profiles full credits at IMDb • character entry at Wikipedia • watch official trailer on YouTube |
"Azumi 2: Death or Love"
[Toho/Nippon Herald Japan Feb 2005]
 | After vanquishing two of the leaders of the Hideyoshi clan trying to overthrow the Shogun (in "Azumi 1"}, the girl warrior and two friends pursue Lord Sanada, who is protected by a band of bandits. Co-produced & co-written by Mataichirô Yamamoto; directed by Shusuke Kaneko; based on the manga comic series by Yu Koyama; starring Aya Ueto, Kazuki Ishigaki, Kazuki Kitamura, Chiaki Kuriyama, Mikijiro Hira & Shun Oguri Urban Vision widescreen color subtitled DVD [5/2008] for $24.95 full credits at IMDb • watch official trailer on YouTube |
"Chushingura - Hana no maki yuki no maki"
aka '47 Rônin' [Toho Japan Nov 1962, USA Oct 1963]
 | A classic tale in Japan, filmed many times: Out of loyalty to a wrongfully-disgraced lord, 47 samurai attack his enemies, knowing that they are courting certain death.
Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki, starring Koshiro Matsumoto, Yuzo Kayama, Tatsuya Mihashi, Akira Takarada, Yosuke Natsuki, Makoto Satô, Chûsha Ichikawa, Toshirô Mifune, Eisei Amamoto, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kenji Sahara, Tadao Takashima, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Takeshi Shimura, Yuriko Hoshi, Kumi Mizuno, Yumi Shirakawa & Mie Ham
Image Ent. widescreen b&w DVD [2/2001] for $26.09 Home Vision b&w VHS [7/97] 2 tapes for $49.95 Image Ent. b&w widescreen VHS [2/2001] 2 tapes for $29.98 full credits from IMDb • 1962 movie entry at Wikipedia |
NOTE: There are over 80 films made from this ancient tale, and so
they have a separate 47 Rônin Film Festival Page {split mid-2012} 
"47 Rônin" [Universal Pictures Xmas 2013]
Announced 8/2012: Bumped again, from February to Xmas Day 2013; starring Keanu Reeves
Jarmusch's "Ghost Dog" [1999]
"Goyokin" [Toho/Fuji Japan May 1969, USA Aug 1969]
 | An evil clan massacres a village and causes a shipwreck to steal the on-board 'official gold' (the movie's title); the clan leader is derided by his brother-in-law, who is then banished. When the outlaw samurai learns of plans for another massacre, he returns and unites with the lone survivor of the village and with a government agent to prevent the repeat. Co-written & directed by Hideo Gosha; starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Tetsuro Tamba, Kinnosuke Naka-mura, Isao Natsuyagi, Yôko Tsukasa, Kunie Tanaka, Ruriko Asaoka, Ruriko Asaoka, Ben Hiura & Kô Nishimura
Tokyo Shock widescreen color DVD [2/2006] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb gold-black 11"x17" poster from Amazon for $14.99 |
"Hana: The Tale of A Reluctant Samurai" [2006] starring Junichi Okada
http://www.amazon.com/Hana-Reluctant-Samurai-Yoshio-Harada/dp/B0016LHH62/ + /tt0464038/
"The Hidden Blade"
aka 'Kakushi ken oni no tsume' [Shochiku Japan Oct 2004, USA Oct 2005]
 | Beautifully-photographed romantic human tale set as modern weapons arrive in Japan; in three parts. A warrior is told to fight a friend who went to Edo and got caught in a web of intrigue, then was imprisoned. The friend's wife offers her body to save her man, but the boss allows the battle to go forward. The warrior kills the boss, renounces his vows as a samurai, and then marries his long-faithful housekeeper. Co-written & directed by Yôji Yamada; based on stories by Shuuhei Fujisawa; starring Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Reiko Takashima, Min Tanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Tomoko Tabata, Ken Ogata & Nenji Kobayashi; nominated for 12 Japanese Academy Awards (won one)
Tartan Video widescreen color DVD [8/2006] for $14.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Hitokiri" aka "Tenchu!"
[Daiei/Fuji Japan Aug 1969, USA Feb 1970]
 | A down-and-out rônin allies himself with a ruthless clan leader out of desparation, but the Faustian bargain brings self-loathing and eventually a desire for retribution. Directed by Hideo Gosha; based on the Ryotaro Shiba novel; starring Shintarô Katsu, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yukio Mishima, Yûjirô Ishihara, Mitsuko Baisho, Takumi Shinjo & Noboru Nakaya
Region 1 video/DVD not available full credits from IMDb |
"Kill!" aka 'Kiru!'
[Toho Japan June 1968, USA March 1969]
 | Based on the same novel as "Sanjuro", but intended as a comedy about the conventions of samurai films and of Spaghetti Western films. A samurai haunted by his past and a farmer who aspires to bwecome a samurai side with a band of rebels in a local clan dispute.
Co-written & directed by Kihachi Okamoto; starring Tatsuya Nakadai & Etsushi Takahashi Criterion b&w widescreen DVD [10/2005] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Kill Bill" [Miramax 2003 & 2004]
 | Volume 1: A female assassin is attacked by her group leader, Bill, on her wedding day; after waking up from a coma, she seeks revenge. Written & directed by Quentin Tarantino; starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Julie Dreyfus & Sonny Chiba
Miramax color DVD [4/2004] for $19.49 Miramax color VHS [4/2004] for $21.24 Maverick soundtrack CD [9/2003] for $13.49 full credits from IMDb official movie website |
 | Volume 2: The Bride is still mad.Written & directed by Quentin Tarantino; starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Julie Dreyfus & Sonny Chiba
Miramax color DVD [8/2004] for $13.99 Miramax color VHS [8/2004] for $24.99 Maverick soundtrack CD [4/2004] for $13.49 full credits from IMDb official movie website |
 | "Kill Bill: An Unofficial Casebook" [2005] by D.K. Holm Glitter Books pb [2/2005] for $17.95 |
"Lady Snowblood"
aka 'Shurayukihime' [Toho Japan 1973]
 | A young girl whose mother dies in prison during childbirth is trained by a martial priest for revenge against the four men who killed her mother's husband and then raped her mother and left her for dead. Directed by Toshiya Fujita; based on the manga comics of Kazuo Kamimura & Kazuo Koike; starring Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa & Ko Nishimura
Animeigo color widescreen DVD [5/2004] for $29.98 Animeigo color widescreen VHS [11/97] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
sequel "Love Song of Vengeance"
aka 'Shura-yuki-hime: Urami Renga' [Toho Japan 1974]
 | Sentenced to death for her crimes (in the prequel), Lady Snowblood is rescued by the secret police, who offer a deal to assassinate some revolutionaries. Directed by Toshiya Fujita; based on the manga comics of Kazuo Kamimura & Kazuo Koike; starring Meiko Kaji, Yoshio Harada, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Shin Kishida & Juzo Itami
Animeigo color widescreen DVD [5/2004] for $26.99 Animeigo color VHS [3/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
"Lady Snowblood" DVD box set [2005]
Animeigo color widescreen DVD set [11/2005] 2 disks - out of prodn/used
Lady Snowblood manga & film entry at Wikipedia
 | "Lady Snowblood" manga comics [originals in 1970s, English 2005-2006] by Kazuo Koike, illustrated by Kazuo Kamimura Volume 1: Dark Horse 7¼x5 pb [10/2005] for $11.24 Volume 2: Dark Horse 7¼x5 pb [1/2006] for $10.55 Volume 3: Dark Horse 7¼x5 pb [4/2006] for $11.66 Volume 4: Dark Horse 7¼x5 pb [6/2006] for $11.66 |
"The Last Samurai"
[Warner Bros. Dec 2003]
 | Co-written & directed by Edward Zwick; co-written by John Logan & Marshall Herskovitz; starring Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn, Timothy Spall, Hiroyuki Sanada & Koyuki; Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound
Warner widescreen DVD [5/2004] 2 disks for $19.47 Warner color DVD [5/2004] 2 disks for $19.47 Warner VHS dubbed in Spanish [5/2004] out of stock/used Warner color VHS [5/2004] priced for rental market Elektra/Asylum soundtrack CD [11/2003] for $13.49 full credits from IMDb • official movie website |
 | "The Last Samurai: The Official Movie Guide" [2003] from Warner Bros. Pictures General 10¼x9½ pb [12/2003] for $10.47 General 10¾x9¾ hardcover [12/2003] for $24.95 |
 | "The Last Samurai: The Life & Battles of Saigo Takamori" [2003] by Mark Ravina The true story of the warrior rebel depicted inaccurately in the movie. John Wiley & Sons 9x6.3 pb [11/2003] for $16.97 |
"Red Lion" aka 'Akage'
[Mifune/Toho Japan Oct 1969, USA Dec 1969]
 | Impersonating an Imperial Army officer by wearing a "red lion's mane", a simple servant returns to his village after 10 years of absence to end the village's suffering caused by corrupt officials and businessmen • Co-written & directed by Kihachi Okamoto; starring Toshirô Mifune, Shima Iwashita, Etsushi Takahashi, Minori Terada, Nobuko Otowa, Kawai Okada, Yûko Mochizuki & Jitsuko Yoshimura
Animeigo widescreen color DVD [9/2005] for $26.99 Animeigo color VHS [11/97] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb |
"Rônin Gai" [Shochiku/Nippon TV Aug 1990]
 | Peace under the shogun leaves many samurai unemployed. Four ronin in a depressed village struggle to maintain their bushi-do code until prostitutes under seige by a serial killer ask for their help • Directed by Kazuo Kuroki; starring Yoshio Harada, Kanako Higuchi, Shintarô Katsu, Moeko Ezawa, Hiroko Isayama, Renji Ishibashi & Kunie Tanaka; won Japanese Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (RI), 5 other noms
Homevision widescreen color DVD [6/2005] for $21.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Samurai Assassin"
[Mifune/Toho Japan Jan 1965, USA March 1965]
 | Based on a novel about real events in February & March 1860. A band of men wait by Edo's Sakurada Gate to kill a government official. They suspect a traitor in their midst, and focus on an impoverished rônin (and bastard son of an aristocrat) who is befriended by one of the leaders • Directed by Kihachi Okamoto; starring Toshirô Mifune, Keiju Kobayashi, Yûnosuke Itô, Koshiro Matsumoto, Eijirô Tono & Michiyo Aratama
Anameigo widescreen color DVD [2/2005] for $26.99 Anameigo widescreen color VHS [9/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
"Samurai Banners" aka 'Furin Kazan'
[Mifune/Toho Japan Feb 1969, USA June 1969]
 | A samurai general dreams of uniting the Kai & Suwa domains. He convinces the widow of the Suwa lord to marry the victorious Kai lord and bear him a son, and pledges them his life. Years later, the powerful forces of Echigo domain challenge the peaceful Kai-Suwa regime. • Co-produced & directed by Hiroshi Inagaki; based on the Yasushi Inoue novel; co-produced by & starring Toshirô Mifune; co-starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yoshiko Sakuma, Yûjirô Ishihara, Katsuo Nakamura, Kankuro Nakamura, Kanemon Nakamura, Masakazu Tamura, Mayumi Ozora & Ken Ogata
Animeigo widescreen color DVD [7/2005] for $26.99 Animeigo widescreen color VHS [1/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
"Samurai Cop" [1989]
Amir Shervan's cult hit received a new HD restoration in 2013
"Samurai Fiction" [Japan Aug 1998, USA Oct 1998]
 | A young noble and two friends attempt to retrieve the stolen heirloom sword of their clan; the enemy leader wounds the noble and kills one pal, and the noble recovers at the remote forest home of a former samurai and his daughter. Co-written & directed by Hiroyuki Nakano; starring Mitsuru Fukikoshi, rock star Tomoyasu Hotei, Naoyuki Fujii, Ken Osawa, Morio Kazama, Tamaki Ogawa, Mari Natsuki, Mitsuru Fukikoshi & Taketoshi Naitô
Media Blasters color DVD [9/2003] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Samurai Rebellion" aka 'Jôi-uchi: Hairyô tsuma shimatsu'
[Toho/Mifune Japan May 1967, USA Sept 1967]
 | The son of an aging samurai is ordered to marry the local lord's mistress, though she has born the lord a son. The newlyweds fall in love. When the lord's elder son dies, and he demands that the mistress return with his heir, the samurai rebels. The clan orders suicide, then attempts to kill the family, and the samurai takes the matter to the capitol at Edo. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi; starring Toshirô Mifune, Yôko Tsukasa, Tatsuyoshi Ehara, Etsuko Ichihara, Tatsuya Nakadai, Shigeru Kôyama, Michiko Otsuka, Tatsuo Matsumura & Isao Yamagata
Criterion widescreen b&w DVD [10/2005] for $26.99 Homevision b&w VHS [6/2000] for $28.45 full credits from IMDb |
"Samurai Spy" aka 'Ibun Sarutobi Sasuke' [Shochiku 1965]
 | A legendary samurai tracks the spy Nojiri, not knowing that a mysterious band of men are also tracking the spy; when the two factions meet, no one knows who is who.
Directed by Masahiro Shinoda; based on the Koji Nakada novel; starring Koji Takahashi, Tetsuro Tamba, Kei Sato & Rokko Toura
Criterion b&w widescreen DVD [10/2005] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Sanjuro" aka 'Tsubaki Sanjûrô'
[Japan Jan 1962; US release May 1963]
 | A sequel to "Yojimbo"; a group of determined, idealistic young men enlist a scruffy, cynical samurai to clean up their town. Co-written & directed by Akira Kurosawa [1910-98]; starring Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura & Kamatari Fujiwara
Criterion Collection remastered widescreen b&w DVD [1/2007] for $29.99 Criterion Collection letterbox b&w DVD [9/99] for $49.79 {sic} Home Vision letterbox b&w VHS [6/2000] for $19.98 full credits at IMDb • |
"Sansho The Bailiff" [1954] by Kenji Mizoguchi
"Seppuku" aka "Harakiri" [1962] /tt0056058/
"Seven Samurai" aka 'Shichinin no samurai'
[Japan April 1954; USA Nov 1956]
 | Now considered a classic movie. Poor farmers hire a samurai to defend their village from bandits. He brings along six others, who defend the village against 40 attackers in a climactic, epic battle. Co-written & directed by Akira Kurosawa [1910-98]; starring Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Yoshio Inaba, Minoru Chiaki, Daisuke Katô, Seiji Miyaguchi & Isao Kimura
Criterion Collection b&w Blu-ray [10/2010] 2 disks for $36.49 Criterion Collection remastered b&w DVD [9/2006] 3 disks for $36.99 Home Vision b&w DVD [3/99] for $31.99 Home Vision b&w VHS [7/93] 2 tapes / out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
more details (synopses, remakes & sequels, books, posters, links) on
Magic Lantern's "Seven Samurai" & "Magnificent Seven" Movies Page
"Sword of Doom" aka 'Dai-bosatsu tôge'
[Toho Japan Jan 1966, USA July 1966]
 | A mad samurai with an unbeatable 'silent style' wreaks havoc over several years. Action highlights include Mifune's fight in the snow and the final bloodbath in a burning building. Directed by Kihachi Okamoto; written by Shinobu Hashimoto from a novel by Kaizan Nakazato; starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Yuzo Kayama, Michiyo Aratama, Toshirô Mifune, Yôko Naito, Tadao Nakamaru & Ichirô Nakaya
Criterion Collxn widescreen DVD [3/2005] for $22.46 Home Vision widescreen b&w VHS [3/95] for $29.95 full credits from IMDb |
"Sword of The Beast" [Shochiku 1965]
 | A reformer on the run after assassinating a clan minister finds a master swordsman willing to defend him. Co-written & directed by Hideo Gosha; starring Mikijiro Hira & Go Kato Criterion b&w widescreen DVD [10/2005] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb |
"13 Assassins" aka "Jusan-nin No Shikaku"
[Toei Japan Dec 1963; not released in USA?]
 | Classic-style jidai-geki in b&w. First third sets up the injustice, of a cruel brother of the shogun whose murders and other crimes are covered up; second third is the gathering and planning of the thirteen assassins; last third is the battle to kill the brother on his way back from Edo • Directed by Eiichi Kudo; written by Kaneo Ikegami; starring Chiezo Kataoka, Kô Nishimura, Ryohei Uchida, Isao Natsuyagi, Kotaro Satomi, Kanjûrô Arashi, Sumiko Fuji & Tetsurô Tanba
Region 1 VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb |
[Toho Japan Sept 2010, Magnet Releasing USA April 2011]
 | Set in 1844 Japan; a samurai brings together a baker’s dozen of killers to assassinate the shogun’s brother. Co-written & directed by Takashi Miike; co-written by Daisuke Tengan, based on the 1963 film by Eiichi Kudo {above}; starring Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Hiroki Matsukata, Kazuki Namioka, Yûsuke Iseya, Gorô Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, Mikijiro Hira & Ikki Sawamura; won 4 awards from the Japanese Academy
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site watch English-language trailer on YouTube • watch Japanese-language trailer on YouTube |
"Twilight Samurai" aka 'Tasogare Seibei'
[Japan 2002, USA April 2004]
 | A quiet, slightly sentimental masterpiece, about a feudal village of 19th Century Japan phasing into the new ethos & economics of the Meiji Restoration.
Co-Written & directed by Yoji Yamada; based on sections of 3 Shuhei Fujisawa novels; starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa, Min Tanaka, Nenji Kobayashi & Keiko Kishi; Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film; won 12 Japan Film Academy Awards, won 7 Kinema Junpo Awards
Empire Pictures color DVD [12/2004] for $19.99 full credits from IMDb official movie website |
"The Warrior's Way" [2010] /tt1032751/
"When The Last Sword Is Drawn"
aka 'Mibu gishi den' [Shoshiku Japan Jan 2003]
 | An underpaid samurai goes to Edo to make enough money to support his family; fellow members of the Imperial Guard consider him a mere mercenary until he proves his honor in battle • Directed by Yojiro Takita; starring Kiichi Nakai, Koichi Sato, Yui Natsukawa, Takehiro Murata, Miki Nakatani & Yuji Miyake; won Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Actor {Nakai}, Best Supporting Actor {Sato}, 8 other noms
Fox Lorber widescreen color DVD [12/2005] for $17.99 full credits from IMDb |
"Yojimbo (The Bodyguard)" [April 1961; US release Oct 1962]
 | Prequel to "Sanjuro": A wandering samurai plays off two gangs against each other; based on the 1929 novel "Red Harvest" by Dashiell Hammett • Co-written & directed by Akira Kurosawa [1910-98]; starring Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tono, Seizaburô Kawazu, Kyu Sazanka, Kamatari Fujiwara, Takashi Shimura & Tatsuya Nakadai; listed on Time Magazine's All-TIME 100 Movies (10/2005)
Criterion Collection widescreem b&w DVD [9/99] for $35.00 Home Vision widescreem b&w VHS [9/94] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb remade as Western "A Fistful of Dollars" [1964] movie & sequels on VHS & DVD • full credits at IMDb remade as "Last Man Standing" [1996] on VHS & DVD • full credits at IMDb |
Martial Arts Equipment
Hanzo Swords website {with many models from the 'Kill Bill' movies}
The 'bokken' is the wooden practice sword of Japanese martial arts
bokken for sale online at Amazon Sports & Outdoors
Swords Department at Amazon Sports & Outdoors
33 'Kill Bill swords' entries at Amazon Sports & Outdoors
'Kill Bill' 3-sword set w/display stand for $52.99
Hattori Hanzo 'Kill Bill' two-sword set w/display stand for $38.95
'Kill Bill' two-sword set w/display stand for $39.99
'Kill Bill' Bride's sword w/display stand for $28.44
'Kill Bill' Bride's sword w/display stand for $34.43
'Kill Bill' Bride's sword w/display stand for $38.30
'Kill Bill' Bill's katana sword w/display stand for $49.43
Documentary Videos
 | "Secrets of The Samurai Sword" [P.B.S./W.G.B.H./Nova documentary aired Oct 2007] Directed by John Wate P.B.S./W.G.B.H. widescreen color DVD [1/2008] for $17.99 not listed at IMDb {2008} • PBS official movie site |
 | "History Matters: The Samurai" [A&E TV April 2005]
A&E Television Networks color DVD [7/2008] for $29.95 minimal credits from IMDb |
 | "Samurai: The Last Warrior - The Path of Honor, The Sword of Revenge" TV documentary [indep 2004] Co-produced, written & directed by Charlie Shepard Hannover House color DVD [3/2005] for $9.95 full credits from IMDb |
 | "Code of The Samurai: Cult of Cold Steel" [2004] Presented by George W. Alexander; directed by Y. Ishimoto Rising Sun Prodns color DVD [2/2004] for $29.95 producers official website |
 | "The Eight Deadly Samurai Sword Cuts of Miyamoto Musashi" [2004] by George Alexander Boxed Set: Yamazato color DVD [12/2004] 3 disks for $99.95 Vol 1: Yamazato color DVD [9/2004] for $39.95 Vol 2: Yamazato color DVD [11/2004] for $39.95 Vol 3: Yamazato color DVD [11/2004] for $39.95 |
 | "Japanese Swordsmanship" [2003-2004]
Volume 1: "The Art of The Samurai" [2003] featuring Hanshi Ken Penland Yamazato color DVD [3/2003] for $24.95 Volume 2: "Iaido - The Art of Fast Draw!" [2004] featuring Hanshi Ken Penland Yamazato color DVD [9/2004] for $29.95 Volume 3: "Tameshigiri - The Art of Cutting" [2004] featuring George Alexander Yamazato color DVD [12/2004] for $29.95 |
 | "In Search of History: Samurai Warrior" [A&E TV 1997] A&E Television Networks color DVD [7/2008] for $24.95 A&E Television Networks color DVD [5/2009] out of prodn/used credits at IMDb {empty} |
B o o k s
Sun Tzu & the Art of War [circa 500 BCE]
at Maison d'Être Philosophy Bookstore
 |
"Hagakure: The Book of The Samurai" [Sept 1716] by Yamamoto Tsunetomo; translated by William Scott Wilson Kodansha Intl pb [3/92] for $9.00 Kodansha Intl hardcover [10/79] out of print/used |
 | "Bushido: The Way of The Samurai" Based on the 'Hagakure' by Yamamoto Tsunetomo Edited by Justin F. Stone; translated by Minoru Tanaka Square One 8½x5½ pb [10/2001] for $9.95 |
 | "The Samurai Sword: A Handbook" [1958] by John M. Yumoto Tuttle 8½x6¼ hardcover [6/72] for $14.93 |
 | "Bokken: Art of The Japanese Sword" [1980] by Dave Lowry Ohara Publns 9x6 pb [6/80] for $11.90 The 'bokken' is the wooden practice sword of Japanese martial arts.
|
 | "The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide" [1983] by Kanzan Sato, translation by Joe Earle Kodansha America 10¼x7 hardcover [6/83] for $26.40 |
 | "The Way of The Samurai" [1983] by Richard Storry, with photographs by Werner Forman Salem House 11½x8½ hardcover [1/86] out of print/used Putnam hardcover pb [10/83] out of print/used |
 | "The Samurai Film" [1984] by Alain Silver
Overlook 10x6¾ pb [6/86] for $11.01 Overlook 10x7¾ pb [10/2006] for $20.40 Overlook hardcover [3/84] for $23.95 Overlook 10x8 hardcover [11/2005] for $34.00 |
 | "The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Eishin-Ryu Iaido" [1994] by Nicklaus Suino Weatherhill pb [6/94] for $16.47 |
 | "Legends of The Samurai" [1995] by Hiroaki Sato excellent translations of original (mostly historic) material Kindle Edition from Overlook/Penguin Group [3/2012] for $7.99 Overlook Trade 9x6 pb [3/2012] for $15.80 Overlook 9¼x6 hardcover [11/95] for $26.46 |
 | "The Craft of The Japanese Sword" [1997] by Leon & Hiroko Kapp and Yoshindo Yoshihara Kodansha Intl. 10¼x7½ hardcover [7/97] for $23.58 |
 | "Japanese Cinema: The Essential Handbook" [1998] by Thomas Weisser & Yuko Mihara Weisser Vital Books 8¼x5.4 pb [8/98] for $19.36 |
 | "Code of The Samurai: A Modern Translation of The Bushido Shoshinsu by Taira Shigesuke" [1999] Translation by Thomas Cleary, illustrated by Oscar Ratti
Tuttle 7¾x5¼ hardcover [7/99] for $10.47 |
 | "Samurai: The Weapons & Spirit of The Japanese Warrior" [2001] by Clive Sinclaire Lyons Press 11x10¼ pb [11/2004] for $14.93 Lyons Press 11¼x10½ hardcover [11/2001] out of print/used |
 | "A Hundred Years of Japanese Film" [2002] by Donald Richie Kodansha 8.4x7 hardcover [2/2002] for $21.00 |
 | "Samurai: An Illustrated History" [2002] by Mitsuo Kure Tuttle 12½x9.3 hardcover [5/2002] for $23.77 |
 | "Iaido Sword: Kamimoto-Ha Techniques of Muso Shinden Ryu" [2003] by Richard Babin Paladin Press 11¼x8¾ pb [1/2003] for $32.97 |
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"Samurai: The World of The Warrior" [2003] by Stephen Turnbull Osprey 9½x7½ pb [6/2006] for $12.89 Osprey 10¼x7¾ hardcover [10/2003] for $22.76 |
 | "Silver Screen Samurai: The Best of Japan's Samurai Movie Posters" [2004] by Cocoro Books of Japan D.H. Publng 10¼x8 pb [2/2004] for $15.56 |
 | "Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook" [2005] by Patrick Galloway Stone Bridge Press 9x7 pb [5/2005] out of print/used |
 | "Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film" [2006] by David West St. Martin / I.B. Tauris 8½x5½ pb [12/2006] for $17.12 |
 | "Samurai: Arms, Armor, Costume" [2007] by Mitsuo Kure Chartwell Books 12x9 hardcover [3/2007] for $14.79 |
 | "The Japanese Period Film: A Critical Analysis" [2007] by S.A. Thornton, Foreword by Donald Richie McFarland & Co. 9x6 pb [10/2007] for $35.95 |
 | "The First Samurai: The Life and Legend of The Warrior Rebel, Taira Masakado" [2007] by Karl Friday
Kindle Edition from Wiley [2007 edition] for $14.99 Wiley 9½x6½ hardcover [11/2007] for $18.61 |
 | "Katana: The Book of Japanese Blades" [2007] seems to be a combination coffee table picture book and a catalog with prices D.H. Publng 11x8½ hardcover [11/2007] for $19.46 |
 | "Samurai Films" [2008] by Roland Thorne Oldcastle Books pb [11/2008] for $11.53 |
 | "Warring Clans, Flashing Blades: A Samurai Film Companion" [2009] by Patrick Galloway Stone Bridge Press 9x7 pb [7/2009] for $19.95 |
 | "Japan To 1600: A Social and Economic History" [2009] by William Wayne Farris Univ Hawaii Press 9x6 pb [7/2009] for $23.58 Univ Hawaii Press 9x6 hardcover [7/2009] for $60.00 |
 | "The Martial Arts Book" [YA ages 11 & up; 2010] by Laura Scandiffio, Art by Nicolas Debon Annick Press 10½x8½ pb [8/2010] for $13.45 Annick Press hardcover [8/2010] out of print/used |
"Samurai: The Last Warrior" [Wm. Morrow 2/2014] by John Man
http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-History-John-Man-ebook/dp/B00DB32SL2/
http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-History-John-Man/dp/0062202677/
Samurai Film Links
browse Martial Arts Films at Amazon
Japanese movie posters catalog at AllPosters.com
samurai posters catalog at AllPosters.com
Foreign Films [dot] com
Kung Fu Cinema website
Samurai / Period Drama Films entry at Wikipedia
Yakuza Films entry at Wikipedia
47 Rônin / Chüshingura Film Festival at Magic Lantern
a really funny samurai movie image (in a new window)
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Magic Lantern's Samurai Films Festival « « you are here
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