Shintaro Katsu returns as Hanzo "the Razor" Itami in part two of the chanbara trilogy chronicling the escapades of the samurai constable who lives and plays by his set of rules. This time, hanzo battles devil-worshiping abortionists, sadistic cultists and crooked officials. In his quest to defend the weak, hanzo uses a sharp-edged sword -- and his sexual muscle -- to mete out justice in director Yasuzo Masumura's mind blowing film.
This second installment in the Hanzo trilogy is just as sleazy as the first film, Sword of Justice, if not more so. Hanzo again battles corruption and his incompetent superior with the aid of his two bumbling assistants. In this film, Hanzo battles Ninjas, is buried alive in order to infiltrate a criminals compound, fights thugs and a satanic abortion giving witch, and takes on a bald priestess. And of course Hanzo employs his famous "interrogation" technique on the reluctant females. Hanzo "interrogates" the bald female priest as well so that tells you what kind of film this installment is.
As I mentioned in my review of the first Hanzo film, actor Shintaro Katsu seems like the most unlikely samurai hero. He is pudgy and not very good looking. But Katsu is perfect. He IS Hanzo. Katsu is one of the great actors of this time period, especially in his greatest role as Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman. This character is so diametrically opposite his Zatoichi character that it really shows what a great actor he is. These films are only for the more adventurous viewer. They are big time Japanese samurai sex-ploitation films. But if you approach these films with an open mind, you will not be disappointed.
I'll have to check this one out. I really enjoyed the first film. It's a different style of Samurai cinema.
ReplyDeleteSince you watched the first one, you should see the last two, especially if you liked the first one. "It's a different style of samurai cinema" is an understatement. :-)
ReplyDeleteI had never seen like this blog before. I knew some of Gaijin like japanese culture, but you guys are so far from what I thought. Since I have started reading your blog,I have learned my culture and old movies.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked that you have more knowledge about Japanese history than I do. and also, you love Japan more than I do.
me,Japanese, I live in japan, I recommend for you to read Vagabond(manga) which is about Miyamoto Musashi. however,you might know it already.
anyway I love to read your blog and see Japan from your point of view.
Honey, i did not leave the nice comment↑ on your blog. it's not me.
ReplyDeleteThank you anonymous. I am glad you enjoy the blog. Japan has a pretty interesting history which is why I enjoy writing about it.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get a hold of all these old movies? Amazon? Rental shop?
ReplyDeleteI think I saw this guy as Zatoichi on TV once. At first I thought he was a little too, uh, robust for the role, but you're right - he somehow pulled it off very well.
Two places. First, I am extremely lucky to work in downtown Los Angeles close to the Little Tokyo branch library which as a good selection of these kick ass samurai movies. Second, for movies such as these Hanzo flicks that the library does not have, I have been renting from Netflix.
ReplyDeleteYes you are lucky! I usually buy my films on the net. My copy of the 2005 movie Kunitori Monogatari just camme in the mail. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind buying a few classics but I have seen over 60 samurai movies and that would be a bit too much cash. Plus not all of them would be worth buying. I will have to see if I can get Kunitori Monogatari.
ReplyDeleteok. I'm going to see if my local tsutaya has this dvd for rental!
ReplyDeleteK. Good. But I will repeat that this film is not for everyone. Please be warned of the sexploitation aspects of this film. If you are OK with that then this film is awesome.
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