HAUNTED SAMURAI (1970)
aka Shinobi Demon: Duel in the Wind
aka Kaze no Tengu
Label: Surviving Elements/DiabiolikDVD
Region Code: A
Rating:
Duration: 82 Minutes 49 Seconds
Vide0: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio: Japanese DTS-HD2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Director: Keiichi Ozawa
Cast: Hideki Takahashi, Isao Nasuyagi
The Nikkatsu produced wandering samurai flick Haunted Samurai (1970), based on the works of Goseki Kojima (Lone Wolf and Cub), opens with a scene of Yagyu-clan ninja enforcer Rokuheita Kusanagi (Hideki Takahashi, The Flower and the Sword) tasked with tracking down his clan-deserter brother-in-law and killing him in battle, which has the tragic consequence of Rokuheita's sister committing suicide by hanging. He is still haunted by the incident when his clan-master Yojiro tasks him with tracking down and killing another recent clan-deserter that is said to be in hiding in a nearby village. He tracks the guy down but does not have the heart to complete the mission, seemingly having grown a conscience after the tragic confrontation and aftermath with his brother. He lets the man, who has a wife and young child, live, and becomes a deserter himself. Now Rokuheita the hunter find himself hunted by another clan-enforcer named Kyonosuke (Isao Natsuyagi, Samurai Wolf), as well as other Yagyu agents. Most notably by a clan of deadly topless warrior women masquerading as coral-divers who lure him to a cursed coral island - which for my money is the best stuff in this flick, there's even a bloody underwater pursuit!
Rokuheita ends up taking refuge in a mountainous farming community and attempts to take on the simple life of a farmer, leaving violence behind him, but when he finds the local farmers are on the brink of starvation after being taxed heavily by a corrupt and greedy governor, he intervenes on their behalf which draws attention from not only the governor's security force by the Yagyu clan assassins who have been tasked with hunting him down.
This is a pretty bad-ass samurai flick that has some bloody action with acrobatic sword fights, deadly throwing weapons, blow-dart weapons, and of course the topless crossbow wielding lady warriors, plus severed limbs and plenty of honor-bound samurai morality, with both Rokuheita and Kyonosuke being honorable warriors who they find themselves in the service of the not-so-honorable clans, tasked with dishonorable deeds. Takahashi is fantastic as the hero who shuns violence for the life of a farmer only to find that he cannot escape his violent past, leading to a final clash with Kyonosuke during an eclipse, but only after teaming-up to vanquish the corrupt governor.
The flick is a bit rough around the edges, a bit slow in the middle, but the tale of honor and carnage is pretty fucking great, chock full of tasty bloodshed and inventive fight sequences, plus a cool soundtrack and arsenal of canned sound effects that titillate.
Audio/Video: Never before released on home video Haunted Samurai (1970) arrives debuts on Blu-ray from new boutique label Surviving Elements (with some help from DiabolikDVD) in 1080p HD framed in 2.35:1 widescreen using the alternate international Shinobi Demon: Duel in the Wind title card. Not sure about the source but I thought it looked very good HD, the source is in good shape, colors for the most part are quite solid, and though some softness creeps into a few exterior scenes, and grain levels wax and wane, overall I was pleased, especially coming from a label called Surviving Elements - which sort of sets the expectations a bit low, but this look pretty great. Audio comes by way of Japanese DTS-HD Mono with optional English subtitles. The track is solid and largely free of any source related issues other than some very light hiss now and again.
Extras include an info-packed Audio Commentary by film historian Chris Poggiali and John Charles, the Trailer for the film. The single-disc release arrives in a clear keepcase with Reversible Wrap that features a pair of artworks with both the English and Japanese titles, plus we get a sturdy a Limited Edition Slipcover with Artwork by Vanessa McKee.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by film historian Chris Poggiali and John Charles
- Trailer
- Trailer
- Reversible Wrap
- Limited Slipcover with Artwork by Vanessa McKee
Keep in mind that this Blu-ray is being advertised as a one time pressing and will not be repressed or reissued, so when they are gone they are GONE! It is available exclusively from www,DiabolikDVD.com ($24.99) and other fine indie retailers. I don't know what coming next from Surviving Elements but this gem of a samurai flick certainly has my curiosity piqued, so get out there and support this inaugural release.
Screenshots from the Surviving Elements Blu-ray:
