Shogun's Samurai - The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [DVD]

I have seen a lot of Japanese films including the Lone Wolf and Cub series, Kurosawa's epics, and many of the considered classics of the Samurai genre. I have enjoyed a lot of Sonny Chiba's work that fall more into the action genre appreciated by martial arts fans. However, there were a couple of his ninja fantasy films that I was disappointed with. It was with lowered expectations that I first saw this film which turns out to be prehaps the very best film he has appeared in. The story is compelling, the action scenes are exceptional and the film compels repeated viewings. It is a bit complex because this is more than just some samurai gore fest, rather it is a contrived tale that serves as window into a particular era of Japanese history. It is a fictional extrapolation to consider a possibility of an actual occurrence in history and the ending takes you by surprise. I have been wanting to buy this film but held out for a blu ray version rather than pay an exorbitant amount for a hard to get dvd. Be warned though, it is steeped in Japanese culture and ritual but the themes are as old as Shakespeare. For me, it compares nicely with Ran, The Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and other historical fiction films. The blu ray includes an extra that recounts the actual history which I found very useful.

The Blu-ray of this movie has not yet been released in Japan.

Story's pretty good. I like the structure of the plot with all the twists and turns, although I wished the fight scenes were more intense and dramatic. Alot of the fight scenes were super short with one hit kills. I expected more especially towards the end. The characters for my taste were a little funky, but the film was made awhile back so I guess I can't expect too much. Overall it's not bad.

MUST SEE & ENJOY FIRST. ONE OF THE BEST. UNBELIEVABLE, MUST READ you must judge for yourself, but I highly recommend it. one two three four five six seven eight. nine!!

one of the best sonny chiba movie the best samurai ever on bluray for the first time

Excellent movie!

Don't understand the criticism of this movie but along with shoguns assassin & Seven Samurai it's part of my greatest collection of dvds.Probably will be part of my will.lol

perfect, with quick delivery

1978's Shogun's Samurai (Yagyû ichizoku no inbô) is on the same level as epics like the The Emperor and The Assassin and Ran. It boasts a massive cast with greats such as Sonny Chiba, Hideo Murota and Hiroki Matsukata.The film follows the fairly familiar plot of two rival princes vying for the throne of their father. Iemitsu, the elder brother is widely disliked and can rely almost solely on his fencing instructor Yagyu Tajima (Kinnosuke Nakamura). The fanatical Yagyu loves Prince Iemitsu and fears his beloved Shinkage school of fencing will be dismissed if rival Prince Tadanaga rises to the Shogunate. His motivation drives him to fanaticism, calling upon his four children (all of whom samurai) to help battle for Prince Iemitsu.The film's Samurai, especially Chiba as Jubei Yagyu feel real. Their unquestioning loyalty does not seem as unlikely as other films would have it, and in battle they come off as true period warriors. The swordplay among Samurai is also very realistic, reflecting the brief nature of such combat. Most duels between Samurai would last less than five seconds and involve only between one and five strokes of the sword. This prediliction toward realistic combat instead of drawn out and action-packed duels hightens the tension of the film, bringing a further sense of a world whose dominating feature is death.The photography, editing, and sound are all superb. Conventionally filmed to allow the intrigue of politics and clash of characters to create and sustain the feel of the movie.Highly recommended; Shogun's Samurai feels a window into Japan's unique and bloody past.

海外版のBlu-rayです、映画はdvdより綺麗です価格は海外で買う倍の価格で凄く高いので良く考えて買われた方が良いです。深作欣二監督の時代劇最高傑作てす。

画質は、既発のDVDや動画配信の画像に比べると歴然と綺麗です。柳生一門と根来衆が落ち合う河原のシーンなど、下草がこんな色してたのか⁉︎とハッとさせられました。ただ、画質向上の為の特別な処理(レストアと言うのでしょうか？)等はされてないと思われます。特典は特報2バージョンと予告編です。