Samurai
Lone Wolf and Cub 6: White Heaven in Hell (1974)
Director: Yoshiyuki Kuroda
Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama
In this, the final film, the evil Lord Yagyu Retsudo, having failed in his previous attempts to eliminate Ogami, deploys his ultimate weapons; his dau... Read more
Female Yakuza Tale (1973)
Director: Tetsuo Ishii
Starring: Reiko Ike, Masataka Narasu, Jun Murakami, Makoto Ikawa
The sexy and savage Ocho (Reiko Ike) returns in this outlandish, over-the-top sequel to 'Sex and Fury', from cult director Tetsuo Ishii. It's a macabr... Read more
Zatoichi 25: Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
Director: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
Starring: Shintaro Katsu, Yukiyo Toake, Takashi Shimura
After a long absence, Zatoichi returns to his home village, expecting to be greeted as a hero, only to find few actually remember him. Ostensibly the... Read more
Hanzo the Razor 2 - The Snare (1973)
Director: Yasuhiro Matsumura
Starring: Shintaro Katsu
Based on the manga of Kazuo Koike, this is the second part in the Hanzo trilogy as our dubious and well-endowed hero gets on the wrong side of a bunch... Read more
Lone Wolf and Cub 5: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (1973)
Director: Kenji Misumi
Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama
Five retainers of the Kuroda clan seek out Ogami to enlist his aid in saving the Clan. But first, they must ensure that he is capable of helping them.... Read more
Red Sun (1972)
7/10
Director: Terence Young
Starring: Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mifune, Ursula Andress, Alain Delon, Capucine
The year is 1871. The Emperor of Japan decides to make a gift of a priceless samurai sword to the President of the United States of America. En route... Read more
Hanzo the Razor - Sword of Justice (1972)
6.8/10
Director: Kenji Misumi
Starring: Shintaro Katsu, Yukiji Asaoka, Mari Atsumi
Hanzo 'the Razor' Itami is a samurai cop who's expert at weilding more than just his sword. Like a Japanese version of 'Shaft', Hanzo is a demented b... Read more
Zatoichi 23: At Large (1972)
Director: Kazuo Mori
Starring: Shintaro Katsu, Rentaro Mikuni, Hisaya Morishige, Etsushi Takahashi, Fujio Morit...
One of the best of the original series of 25, this sees our blind hero deliver the baby of a dying mother (and breastfeed it!), then set off to find t... Read more
Zatoichi 24: In Desperation (1972)
Director: Shintaro Katsu
Starring: Shintaro Katsu, Kiwako Taichi, Kyoko Toshizawa, Yasuhiro Koume, Fujio Morita
Directed by the actor who plays Zatoichi, this is possibly the darkest and most sombre of the series; the yakuza are meaner and the body count is high... Read more
Lone Wolf and Cub 4: Baby Cart in Peril (1972)
Director: Buiichi Saito
Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama
His services cost 500 pieces of gold. Once he agrees to take an assignment, he never fails. But now Ogami Itto faces his greatest challenge yet - he h... Read more