Shogun Assassin (1980)
Directed by David Weisman / Robert Houston
Genres - Action, Adventure |
Sub-Genres - Adventure Drama, Samurai Film |
Release Date - Nov 11, 1980 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 86 min. |
Countries - Japan |
MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Jason Buchanan
More a "greatest hits" movie than an actual stand-alone film of its own, Shogun Assassin is the delirious hybrid of two episodes of the popular Baby Cart series dubbed into English and fused together into a hyper-violent bloodbath ballet that's sure to entertain the samurai-film enthusiast with a strong stomach. The swords fly fast and furious as a wondering shogun is forced into exile after being framed and his wife murdered. Giving his infant son the choice between the merciful release of death (represented by a ball) and the life of constant threat and danger (a sword) the child reaches for the sword, marking the beginning of a brutally violent struggle for survival among a sea of would-be assassins. From this point on plot is secondary, focusing instead on a series of violent vignettes in which limbs fly freely in a furious blur of lightning swords. Utilizing masterful swordsmanship in addition to a cleverly designed and lethal baby carriage, father and son are in a constant state of ultra-alert adrenalized awareness, conscious that instant death may lurk beyond every carefully chosen path.
Characteristics
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Keywords
conflict, killing, one-against-odds, revenge, Samurai, sword, wife