Review of the Blu-ray Release of Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983)

      Legend of the Eight Samurai, 1983.

      Directed by Kinji Fukasaku.

      Starring Hiroko Yakushimaru, Sonny Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yuki Meguro, Masaki Kyômoto, Kenji Ôba, and Mari Natsuki.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A princess is pursued by a rival clan that has been annihilated and resurrected as demons. Kinji Fukasaku’s Legend of the Eight Samurai, adapted from the extensive 19th-century novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden (or The Eight Dog Chronicles), makes its debut on UK Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka, which has been excelling recently with its Asian genre releases. Does this film uphold that quality?

      Absolutely, because if you’ve ever imagined a vibrant fusion of Star Wars, Flash Gordon, and Raiders of the Lost Ark (with a dash of Conan the Barbarian) set in Japan, you may have found your new favorite film. Princess Shizu (Hiroko Yakushimaru) is the last remaining member of the Satomi clan, hiding from the attacking Hikita clan.

      Led by the malevolent queen Tanazusa (Mari Natsuki) and her son Gonnokami (Yuki Meguro), who is also her lover, the Hikita clan symbolizes pure evil. They previously cursed the Satomi clan before their fiery demise years prior. Now inexplicably resurrected (the method is never clarified), the Hikita clan aims to capture and skin Shizu, using the skin of Satomi princesses to mend their disfigurements. However, Shizu receives aid from Dosetsu (legendary martial arts icon Sonny Chiba), who informs her of the legend of eight ‘dog warriors’—the only ones capable of breaking the curse with their unique glowing spheres (not in that way)—and reveals that he is one of them.

      On a quest to find the other seven before the Hikita clan can pursue them, Shizu and Dosetsu must confront witches, demons, snakes, giant centipedes, and each other to ultimately break the curse and defeat their sworn foes.

      Packed with all the elements required for an epic fantasy adventure, Legend of the Eight Samurai opens with a striking matte painting of the Satomi clan’s castle as Hikita soldiers gather outside. It’s a stunning scene—an ominous stone castle against a blood-red sky—that encapsulates the film: grand, epic, evocative, and somewhat rough around the edges. This slightly imperfect quality, likely due to its 1983 release before the advent of CGI, gives it a unique charm.

      This expectation is met throughout the film, as the experience retains the same mix of grandeur and slight flaws as that initial backdrop. Coupled with an energetic vibe that feels palpable, like sweat from a weary athlete, the film has the makings of something extraordinary.

      The strong cast delivers committed performances, with pop sensation Hiroko Yakushimaru portraying Princess Shizu in a wide-eyed and endearing manner, and John Wick: Chapter 4’s Hiroyuki Sanada as Shinbei, a would-be warrior who captures the naive princess yet seems less evil than initially portrayed. Nevertheless, the standout performance goes to Mari Natsuki, who captivates as the wicked Tanazusa, delivering her lines with a blend of seduction and menace. One of the film’s most striking visuals involves Tanazusa bathing in a lake of blood for regeneration, which not only adds an erotic element but also taps into classic horror motifs, making the film cover a variety of themes.

      While some effects may appear subpar, scenes with actors entangled in large rubber snakes will always be entertaining, and each performer credibly communicates their part in the elaborate mythology, allowing viewers to enjoy without necessarily deciphering the complex relationships. Fortunately, the HD transfer mostly highlights the backgrounds while the rest of the film presents surprisingly good quality—right down to the large rubber centipede assaulting Shizu, which might have looked worse in a serious Hollywood action film. The Blu-ray restoration ensures a sharp image brimming with vibrant colors and details, even in darker scenes.

      Despite its dynamic direction and relentless action, Legend of the Eight Samurai experiences a slight slowdown in the middle. At 136 minutes, it could benefit from a bit of tightening, yet once the stage is set for the final battle, and our eight hero warriors stand against the Hikita clan in Castle Grayskull (albeit not really, but close enough), it’s a relentless, adrenaline-pumping fight to the finish. While some clashes may lack the rapid, intricate choreography of contemporary martial arts scenes, this film is about combat, not dance. Ultimately, it delivers a beautifully crafted action-fantasy adventure that draws inspiration from the best Hollywood blockbusters of its time while blending them into a narrative that feels both familiar and excitingly fresh.

      Flickering Myth Rating –