SHOGUN WARRIOR presents an epic set in 17th-century Japan. One clan, led by the warlord Takugawa Ieyasu (Toshiro Mifune), is locked in a bloody feud with a rival clan. Ieyasu decides that the only way to achieve victory is to send a band of soldiers to Spain to obtain flintlock muskets that will fire even when wet. To this end, .. Read more
| Starring | Christopher Lee, David Essex, Sho Kosugi, Toshiro Mifune |
|---|---|
| Director | Gordon Hessler |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
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SHOGUN WARRIOR presents an epic set in 17th-century Japan. One clan, led by the warlord Takugawa Ieyasu (Toshiro Mifune), is locked in a bloody feud with a rival clan. Ieyasu decides that the only way to achieve victory is to send a band of soldiers to Spain to obtain flintlock muskets that will fire even when wet. To this end, Mayeda (Sho Kosugi), Ieyasu's most trusted samurai, leads a party to appeal to the King of Spain (Christopher Lee). However, their difficult journey is plagued by treachery.... The film features spectacular action sequences and an all-star cast, including Japanese film icon Mifune in one of his last screen appearances.
| Starring | Christopher Lee, David Essex, Sho Kosugi, Toshiro Mifune, John Rhys Davies |
|---|---|
| Director | Gordon Hessler |
| Studio | STONEVISION ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 42 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 28 Feb 2000 Production year: 1991 |
| Format | DVD |
Boasting a fine cast and some rousing action, it's hard to see why this period adventure went straight to video in America. Sho Kosugi (best known for the Enter the Ninja movies) stars as a 17th-century samurai who leaves behind the ravages of a Japanese civil war only to find himself plunged into a rebellion against the Spanish king (Christopher Lee). With more traitors, rebels, pirates and princesses than Errol Flynn encountered in his entire career, this is swashbuckling entertainment, martial arts style. Lee, Toshiro Mifune, Polly Walker and a marvellously villainous David Essex add to the pleasure of this spirited romp.
Enjoyable, action-filled romp mixing martial arts, swashbuckling, pirates, assassins and a little romance.
was a strange mix of the historical and the fanciful. The best scenes are the fight scenes in japan. Not all the characters are believable, but it is an interesting attempt to show 3 contemporary cultures; although poorly. Begins as a good historical film and ends as a treasure island type feel good film. What about the scottish captain of the dutch ship travelling to spain under a japanese flag! odd.
This is a weak swashbuckler made in a simple American style where culture, custom, history and the laws of physics are all ignored as the plot creaks and trundles along.
It has little to do with Japan, and with a change of costume the same script could be used for 'Space Warrior' or 'Monster From The Lagoon Warrior'. Not that anyone here is a very convincing warrior.
It would be a good film for the whole family to watch together, but it's not to be taken as more than a fairytale and don't expect your brain to be exercised in any way.