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Cult Review
Archivist John
Senior Editor
If you're into the history of samurai movies, you basically have to see this, even if it's a bit of a headache to track down a good copy. People who hate silent films or grainy footage will probably want to turn it off after five minutes though.
It's the third part of a series, but you don't really need to know the backstory to enjoy the chaos. Denjirō Ōkōchi plays Tange Sazen, and honestly, he looks like he's about to bite the camera half the time.
The plot is mostly just people chasing after magic swords. It's a classic trope, but the way Daisuke Itô directs it makes it feel brand new and weirdly frantic.
There are these five guys in "fiery robes" who show up to hunt the swords too. They look pretty intimidating, like they stepped out of a nightmare or a very strange stage play. 👹
I love how Sazen moves. Since he's missing an arm and an eye, his balance is all off, so he fights with this slashing, desperate energy that feels way more real than the polished stuff we see now.
The editing is the real star here. It’s so fast. It actually reminds me of the weird pacing in The Monster, where things just happen because the movie decided it was time for them to happen.
There is a scene in a courtyard where the camera just starts panicking along with the characters. It’s shaky and messy, but it works so well for the mood.
Some of the shots linger on Ōkōchi’s face for just a second too long. It makes you feel slightly uncomfortable, like you're staring at a real person who's actually losing his mind.
The robes the sword hunters wear have this busy pattern that almost vibrates on the old film stock. It’s hard to look at but you can't really look away either.
I noticed a couple of times where the actors in the background seem to be waiting for their cue. One guy just stands there holding a spear like he’s bored out of his mind until Sazen gets close.
It’s much more lively than something like Within the Law. That one felt like a lecture, while this feels like a street fight.
The sets are definitely a bit flimsy. You can see the floorboards bouncing when someone falls down hard.
I think I missed a bit of the dialogue because the titles went by so fast. Or maybe my brain just couldn't keep up with the cutting. 🌀
It’s not a perfect movie, especially since parts of this trilogy are basically lost to time. You kind of have to fill in the gaps with your imagination.
But man, when that sword comes out, none of that matters. The movie gets so much better once the talking stops and the running starts.
It’s a bit like The Black Ace in how it just focuses on the action and doesn't care if you're confused. Just sit back and watch the robes fly.
If you can find a version with a good benshi narrator, it probably makes more sense. I just watched it raw and felt the vibes.
Sazen is such a cool character because he’s not a hero. He’s just a guy who is really good at surviving when everything is going wrong around him.
I'm still thinking about that one shot of the dust kicking up during the final scuffle. It looked like a storm was happening inside the house.
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