Ambush At Blood Pass (1970)

MikeyboyPaines from Fareham , 07/07/2004

Toshiro Mifune stars as the masterless Samurai wandering the countryside, a role he portrayed in Kurosawa's excellent 'Yojimbo' and 'Sanjuro'. Although 'Ambush at Blood Pass' is not on par with Kurosawa, it's still a cool Japanese drama.

The first half sets up a selection of different characters, with elements of humour and intrigue. However, the second half of the film becomes far darker, with the arrival of a bunch of ruthless gansters.

Bear in mind 'Ambush ...' was made in the late sixties, but if you like Samurai flicks, you should find this an excellent two hours viewing.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Read all reviews

A customer from ARMAGH , 18/10/2004

Another excellent action film featuring men in dresses fighting with big swords. This suffers from poor sub-titling which sometimes leaves the dialogue with no apparent conection to the action on screen. Irritating use of US idiom as well.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Read all reviews

SARAandSIMON from London , 19/06/2004

If you're after a samurai action film, this film might not be the right one, since it is more full of drama than action. It is a very theatrical film, and in this aspect it is very reminiscent of Kurosawa's films, although it does unfortunately not reach the high standard of Kurosawa's work.

Toshiro Mifune, who was the main reason why I decided to watch this film, gives a good performance but its more of a repeat of his other roles than anything new.

I guess that sums up the whole film: It has all been done before, and much better. If you are after a japanese drama, I would suggest any film by Yasujiro Ozu, whose films have much greater depth than this one.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Ian130671 from Norfolk , 02/07/2004

It is wonderful to see Mifune and Katsu on screen together both overflowing with charisma and screen presence. The story is intriguing, never quite letting you know what's going on and what is going to happen next.

With the exception of a couple of (unintentionally) comedy fight scenes it's a thoroughly entertaining Ronin romp, heavier on characterisation than some lesser titles. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Ian130671 from Norfolk , 02/07/2004

It is wonderful to see Mifune and Katsu on screen together both overflowing with charisma and screen presence. The story is intriguing, never quite letting you know what's going on and what is going to happen next.

With the exception of a couple of (unintentionally) comedy fight scenes it's a thoroughly entertaining Ronin romp, heavier on characterisation than some lesser titles. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Read all highest rated reviews

MUFFINMAN from woking , 30/03/2005

It's No Bad, like, but not a patch on the same director's classic Samurai trilogy. Mifune is a class act, as always, but the story both drags and sags in places. Mind you, give me this to a thousand Hollywood 'action' sagas, anyday. Thought-provoking, sensual, and beautifully photographed - AND with a crazy Spaghetti-western soundtrack.

But a minor [late] work in the canon of one of cinema's greatest directors.

Read all highest rated reviews