Sword Of Vengeance on DVD (1973)

Original Kill Bill?

A customer from UK , 13/05/2004

Well this is the first instalment of the Babycart series about a Samurai who becomes Ronin (Ronin - assasin for hire). It basically sets the story of how Ogami Itto becomes an outkast. He's framed basically. There's not a great deal of action or sword play in this one, as in the next instalment (River Styx) but still watchable and entertaining with some quite fun moments & characters reminiscent of monkee! who get their come upance from Ogami's sword and other weapons. Again picture is dark as an old film and widescreen is very 'letterbox' type to allow for subtitles as it's in Japanese you know Hi! no English dubbing here.

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Blood, Gore & Samurai Seppuku !

Bald Mouse from London , 06/06/2005

An amazing film based around the life of an Executioner, Ogami.

Ousted from his profesion by evil means including the death of his wife Ogami takes to the road with his son as The Lone Wolf & Cub (Assassins for Hire), with the aim to eliminate the Yagyu Clan (people behind his wives death).

Lots of action, blood, gore and great eastern sword fights.

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70s Samurai fun

Sanjuro from Bristol , 26/07/2004

This film combined with the second in the Lone Wolf and Cub series was edited into one film and dubbed to make Shogun Assassin. I urge you to watch the original versions as much of the plot is cut from the american version leaving just most of the fight scenes.

Whilst the action is not particularly stylish, the film is great fun as the ronin and his infant son get into a series of adventures.

The attitude to women in this film is a bit suspect but it is set in historical Japan so perhaps the script writers can be forgiven.

Very similar to the Lady Snowblood films but IMHO these films are more entertaining.

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Cult classic!

mimble from co.antrim , 14/10/2004

A cult classic. I would recommend this to all martial arts fans as the sword work is terrific and you really feel drawn back to feudal Japan.

The whole series of Babycart films are not transfered to DVD format very well, but do you really care? The action and gore are still very clear.

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Original Kill Bill?

A customer from UK , 13/05/2004

Well this is the first instalment of the Babycart series about a Samurai who becomes Ronin (Ronin - assasin for hire). It basically sets the story of how Ogami Itto becomes an outkast. He's framed basically. There's not a great deal of action or sword play in this one, as in the next instalment (River Styx) but still watchable and entertaining with some quite fun moments & characters reminiscent of monkee! who get their come upance from Ogami's sword and other weapons. Again picture is dark as an old film and widescreen is very 'letterbox' type to allow for subtitles as it's in Japanese you know Hi! no English dubbing here.

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The First of Six

Artizan from Swindon , 08/03/2005

The film jumps straight into the character building and gives you an insight into Japanese culture in that period. Those who expect to see action right off the bat will be disappointed as the film takes about 30 minutes before anything really happens.

The story at times can be hard to follow and the Samurai sense of honor; well slightly inept; not to mention really the unnecessary cheap displays of female nudity. The first of six films you have to watch as it sets the background for the subsequent 5 films. My only real complaint with the quality of the DVD is it seems to be smaller than the standard 16:9 format and thus appears that you lose some clipping from the top and bottom. The subtitles are also non functional i.e. they cannot be turned on or off or adjusted size or position (for those who can).

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