5 Star

Cutting Edge Vengeance.

CRITERION COLLECTION: LONE WOLF & CUB comes to Blu-ray and it is cutting edge, the critically acclaimed cinema version of the manga that changed the stakes. A set of 6, 1972-74  Japanese chambara films directed by Kenji Misumi (Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Adventure). It is the first in a series of six films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series. The film tells the story of Ogami Ittō, a wandering assassin for hire who is accompanied by his young son, Daigoro.

Japan during the Edo Period, Ogami Ittō (Tomisaburô Wakayama, Black Rain) holds the very high position of Kogi Kaishakunin (the Shoguns executioner, for those that cannot commit suicide). He is a powerful man and there are others who want that power and the control of the 60 states of Japan.

The “Shadow” Yagyū Clan have plans in place to take over after Itto executes the young daimyo.

Now they are after his position and the power that goes with it. They frame him and murder his wife and servants, then place incriminating evidence that inspector Bizen (Fumio Watanabe, Death by Hanging) discovers when he come to investigate the death of three ninjas.

Otti swears vengeance for the death of his wife and follows the path to Hell as a Ronin, a sword for sale

He takes his son Daigoro (Akihiro Tomikawa, Shogun Assassin) in a wooden pram and sets off, to earn a living selling his sword or his son.

With his sword Dotanuki ‘The Horse Slayer’ he takes on jobs for people that are in danger or want a threat removed, he is challenged many times to prove that he is the legendary Ogami Otti, with his sword skills he readily proves who he is.

After a couple of years Daigoro is three and it is time for him to make the decision of the path that he will take in life/death. Otti asks Daigoro to make the choice between a ball or his fathers sword. Choose the ball and join your mother in heaven (prefered) or choose the sword and take the true path of vengeance as a ronin.

The choice is made and now they must find those that have wronged them, their journey is long and the path they follow is lawless and corrupt.

This superb box set is full of gallons of claret and dismembered body parts and masses of dead bodies male and female as Otti and Daigoro travel the other 59 states of Japan. He is out for Yagyû blood and so are they.

Packed full of Special Features.

Let the blood soaked fun begin.

Available to Order Online Now.