Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis: A Japanese box-office sensation directed by the revered Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), Legend of the Eight Samurai brings together an impressive ensemble cast, including Hiroko Yakushimaru (Sailor Suit and Machine Gun), Hiroyuki Sanada (Ring), Sonny Chiba (Message from Space) and Etsuko Shihomi (The Street Fighter), in a sweeping epic that blends fantasy with historical drama. The Satomi Clan have been all-but wiped out by their mortal enemies: the ghoulish members of the undead Hikita Clan. The last Satomi survivor is Princess Shizu (Yakushimaru), who goes into hiding to avoid meeting the same fate as her family. Left to wander on her own, she eventually becomes entangled with farmer-turned-soldier Shinbei (Sanada) and then a pair of warrior monks who reveal themselves to be two of eight fabled Hakkenden – or “Dog Warriors” – who can lift the curse that has been placed upon her family. Together, they must find the rest of the Hakkenden and take on the leader of the Hikita Clan: the evil Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki). Following Message from Space, which transported the story to a science fiction setting, Legend of the Eight Samurai is Fukasaku’s second loose adaptation of Toshio Kamata’s Shin Satomi Hakkenden, itself an adaptation of Kyokutei Bakin’s earlier epic novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from a new 4K restoration. (136 Mins)

 

Vintage Home Entertainment US DVD Synopsis: Shizu is the surviving member of the Satomi Clan and is being hunted by the sinister Hikita Clan, whose Black Magic wielding Lady Tamazusa needs Shizu's blood to give herself eternal beauty. Enter the Hakkenshi who attempt to protect Shizu from Tamazusa's minions and her Black Magic spawned threats. (129 Mins)

 

Views: I first saw this epic film many moons ago on VHS in my early teenage years, so I was incredibly excited to get the chance to check out this stunning new 4K restoration on Blu-ray from Eureka Video. Back then, I had already caught a number of classic Japanese works starring the late-great Sonny Chiba and many of this films' cast members, but there was just something so incredible about Legend Of The Eight Samurai that sat with me for years. Directed by the legend that is Kinji Fukasaku, the film plays like a wild blend of Star Wars (1977) and Seven Samurai (1954) and actually works as a great companion piece to the incredible Samurai Reincarnation (1981) and, in a roundabout way, to Message From Space (1978) – both of which were also directed by Fukasaku (and released on Blu-ray by Eureka Video previously). Earning the number one spot in its domestic market of 1984, Legend Of The Eight Samurai tells the tale of Princess Shizu who is on the run after her family is killed by an enemy clan, forever threatened by a curse that has been put on her family name. That is until she meets eight incredible warriors, each of whom carry a mysterious glowing bead that when combined, will have the power to help the Princess defeat the evil Queen Tamazusa and her hordes of evil swordsmen!

 

Of course, it's rare that you'll ever find a boring film from master film-maker Kinji Fukasaku. Having written and directed over 60 films between 1961 and 2003, Kinji delivered classic titles such as the aforementioned sci-fi fantasies along with the infamous Battles Without Honor & Humanity Series (1973-75), The Fall Of Ako Castle (1978), Shogun's Samurai (1978), Virus (1980), Fall Guy (1982), and the globally acclaimed Battle Royale (2000) which fast became a cultural phenomenon. Unfortunately, after he began the production of it's highly underrated sequel in 2002 and having only directed one scene, Kinji Fukasaku passed with prostate cancer leaving his son, Kenta, to take over directing duties. Along with other Japanese directing greats such as Akira Kurosawa, Seijun Suzuki, Hiroshi Shimizu, and Junya Sato among many others, Kinji Fukasaku has always been considered one of the best – and Legend Of The Eight Samurai is a fine example why...

 

Singer, actress and teen-idol Hiroko Yakushimaru, star of Sailor Suit & Machine Gun (1981), leads the way as Princess Shizu and was an interesting choice, yet doesn't disappoint. Having appeared as a young samurai in Sonny Chiba's G.I. Samurai (1979) earlier in her career, Hiroko is still acting today both on the small and big screen while her 2024 album was released to great success. She is joined by the handsome and hugely talented Hiroyuki Sanada, who really needs no introduction and stars as a young troublemaker-turned-warrior that wins her heart. Currently aged 64 at the time of writing, Sanada began acting at the age of 5, starring as the son of Sonny Chiba's character in Game Of Chance (1966) and soon became the protégé of the late martial arts star – going onto star in a high number of his movies over the years. Often considered to be the Jackie Chan of Japan, Hiroyuki actually made his Hong Kong movie debut in Corey Yuen Kwai's incredible Ninja In The Dragon's Den (1982) before returning to star alongside Michelle Yeoh in Royal Warriors (1986) a short time later, reuniting with her over 20 years later for Danny Boyle's sci-fi thriller Sunshine in 2007 and would get to co-star and trade moves with his Hong Kong counterpart, Jackie Chan, in Rush Hour 3 that same year. From there, his life in Hollywood was set and this new legendary Japanese action hero would fast gain a whole new fan club, eventually going onto win numerous awards for his role in the fantastic Shogun (2024) television mini-series. Fans who enjoyed his performance there, should most definitely check out Legend Of The Eight Samurai to see him in his prime as one of the eight titular samurai.

 

Supporting him and protecting the princess are a host of great names, starting with the aforementioned and legendary Shinichi 'Sonny' Chiba; an actor who had worked on many of Kinji Fukasaku's finest productions. A massive sports enthusiast and martial artist, Chiba started his career in the 60s before making his breakthrough film, The Streetfighter in 1974 shortly after opening his own training school for aspiring actors and stuntmen called the Japan Action Club. Over the years, he would star in a host of martial arts movies for a wide range of directors, and was often considered to be as popular as Bruce Lee, going onto star in over 120 films for Toei Studios as well as appearing in numerous western productions including Kill Bill: Volume 1 and others. Here, Chiba plays white ninja Dosetsu, impressing once again in his performance and while in action. Equally, and like Sanada before her, the beautiful Etsuko 'Sue' Shihomi learned her skills at Sonny Chiba's Japan Action Club, often starring in many films with both stars while carrying her own in the Sister Streetfighter Series (1974-1976) and proving to be a highly entertaining martial-arts actress. In Legend Of The Eight Samurai, Shihomi plays another of the heroes – Keno Tanetomo – getting to kick ass and look good as she takes on enemy swordsmen, a grotesque giant centipede, and giant killer snake. Other stars such as Minori Terada, Masaki Kyomoto, Shunsuke Kariya, Takuya Fukuhara, and Chiba's Kill Bill co-star Kenji Oba, flesh out the team of heroes while popular actress Mari Natsuiki hams it up as the evil witch Tamazusa.

 

There's no denying that Legend Of The Eight Samurai is packed with a cast of hundreds and features some incredible set designs and landscapes, beautiful lighting and stunning cinematography courtesy of Seizo Sengen – who also lensed classics such as The Most Dangerous Game (1978), Sailor Suit & Machine Gun (1981), Succession (1992) and many more. The film also boasts some incredible action scenes mixing martial-arts swordplay and fantasy action that really lets all involved show what they can do. I also have to mention the many moments of horror – one of which stands out in particular and genuinely shocked me – involving a creepy old woman who tears her face off before her body explodes to reveal her true identity as a giant centipede before chasing after the heroes and wrecking their house in the process! It's just one example of the great FX work on offer, mixing practical props with post-production work for this fantastical adventure. And finally, it would be rude of me not to praise the incredible score and soundtrack on offer which features a blend of hard-rock synthesizers with 'real' string elements and a couple of power ballads courtesy of the late John O'Banion; a small time American vocalist and actor who had some fame in the late 1960s and early 70s, yet carried on into the mid 90s. While most would think that it's score is a bit too modern for a traditional fantasy as such, it actually works well and helps build up the adrenaline when it comes to the fast-paced fight scenes. And with this new 4K restored Blu-ray release from Eureka Video, Legend Of The Eight Samurai has never looked or sounded better!

 

Overall: While theatrical by today's standards, Legend Of The Eight Samurai is a gorgeously directed and highly exciting action-fantasy that still entertains over forty years later!

 

Eureka Video Blu-ray Extras: 4K Restoration, Audio Commentary by Joe Hickinbottom, Interview with Kenta Fukasaku, Video Essay by Stuart Galbraith, Theatrical Trailer

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