Director Kinji Fukasaku’s wild Samurai Fantasy Epic starring Sho-gun’s Hiroyuki Sanada Legend of the Eight Samurai makes its Blu-ray debut with a 4K restoration thanks to Eureka Entertainment.
The Film
Part of the joy of diving into the work of director Kinji Fukasaku is just how varied his output was. Even within a genre, Fukasaku could find ways to make films feel completely different than the last one. Fukasaku’s jidaigeki epic Legend of the Eight Samurai is as wildly different from his previous entry in the genre, Shogun’s Samurai or even the horror fantasy Samurai Reincarnation. Legend of the Eight Samurai is a blend of fantasy and high adventure that only Fukasaku could have made.
When Princess Shizu’s (Hiroko Yakushimaru) family is assassinated because of a prophecy that foretold of eight heroes who would help her defeat an evil witch queen Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki). On the run, Shizu finds help in the form of ronin samurai Dōsetsu (Sonny Chiba) and a rouge wannabe samurai Inue Shinbei Masashi (Hiroyuki Sanada). It is Dōsetsu who knows of said prophecy. Masashi is conflicted – unsure which side he is on. Together they begin to assemble the unconventional fellowship of vagabonds, criminals, orphans, and assassins that prove they are much more than their prior deeds. Can Shizu lead these ruffians to defeat Tamazusa?
Yes, this all seems like it takes a page from films like Star Wars, Seven Samurai, Krull, and other films of high adventure at the time and of yesteryear. That’s the point. Fukasaku’s film is meant to be a rollicking good time with thrills, chills, spills, and the good guys win kind of narrative that children can enjoy. There’s a sense of play and excitement to the way the Fukasaku has put everything together that’s irresistibly fun.
The same goes for the performance. Yakushimaru, Chiba, and Sanada are all excellent in their lead roles. Yakushimaru in particular is fantastic playing both Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia archetypes with great aplomb. Shizu’s arc from dainty scared princess to fearless leader is one we’ve seen before, yes, but is so good in the hands of Yakushimaru, you can’t help but root for her in the final moments as she takes charge of her life. Sonny Chiba is a national treasure and his work with Fukasaku is as much. Here is no different as the rugged Dōsetsu whose reasons give the film a sense of urgency not normally present in these types of films. However, it cannot be understated that Hiroyuki Sanada is the MVP of the film as the conflicted Masashi. It’s a wonder that it took Sanada to become the superstar on Western shores as he was throughout Asia.
The only weak link are songs in the film. They feel out of place and tonally just mismatched. Though the score is excellent with a charm to it that invokes the masterful work of Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past by Koji Kondo.
Minor quibbles aside Legend of the Eight Samurai is a truly wonderful samurai fantasy adventure.
The Transfer
The all-new 4K restoration is a beautiful transfer. There are no scratches or true blemishes. The oversaturated look of the 35mm shot film is lovely in its grit and grime adding to the splendor of this restoration which could have easily wiped the image to make it cleaner. The film’s color reproduction is very verbose and side on the darker side of the color spectrum. There is a patina of active grain that adds to the filmic look of the Blu-ray. Eureka has given Legend of the Eight Samurai the care of love that you come to expect from the label.
The Extras
They include the following;
- Uncompressed original Japanese audio and alternate English dub track
- Optional English subtitles
- New audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Joe Hickinbottom
- New Interview with Kinji Fukasaku’s son, filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku
- New video essay by film historian and critic Stuart Galbraith IV
- Theatrical trailer
The all-new audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Joe Hickinbottom begins with his bonafides and a note that he will be using Western naming conventions as the release is for Western English-speaking audiences. Some of the details include the opening English speaking pop song that plays in the open title sequence – a discussion of singer John O’Bannon; a discussion of the Japanese and English titles, which are different; the film’s origins, including a discussion of the source material epic serial Nansō Satomi Hakkenden by Kyokutei Bakin; the history of the various adaptations of Bakin’s work in theater and eventually in film; a great longer discussion of the work and life of director Kinji Fukasaku – taking us from his early days at Toei to Tora Tora Tora to independent films back to Toei to make Yakuza box office hits transition over to the Jidaigeki films to his wild Message to Space a Star Wars ripoff to his electric final films Battle Royale, he covers everything; a discussion of actor Hiroyuki Sanada – both his role here and his legacy as an actor; a discussion of the develop of the screenplay for the film changing the tone to a more Hollywood style big budget swashbuckling adventure ala Star Wars and Raider of the Lost Ark; a discussion of the VFX work of Nobuo Yajima both here and other films including his collaboration with Fukasaku beyond Legend of the Eight Samurai; a discussion of lead actress Hiroko Yakushimaru – her performance here and in other films and productions; a discussion of Sonny Chiba’s role and his collaboration with Fukasaku; a discussion of Chiba being Sanada’s mentor having gone through the ranks of Chiba’s action and acting school; a larger discussion of the various differences between Batkin’s source material and Fukasaku’s movie; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more. NOTE: the commentary does not start until AFTER the title sequence.
Always Looking for the New (24:57) – the all-new interview with Kinji Fukasaku’s son, filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku discusses the making of his father’s film Legend of the Eight Samurai. Beginning with the motivations to transition from yakuza films to Jidaigeki the filmmaker gives us a perspective on one of his father’s more unique genre mashups. Fuakasaku talks about his father’s relationship with producer Kadokawa and their other work (like the early 80s Virus) which led to making Legend of the Eight Samurai. How Star Wars bore the fruit of this production and a melding of fantasy and adventure. Fukasaku recounts being on set two different times during his summer break – and some truly great stories about Sonny Chiba. A wonderful look at the film and much more as Fukasaku goes through a wide variety of topics. In Japanese with English subtitles.
The Trails of the Eight Samurai (15:47) – the all-new video essay by film historian and critic Stuart Galbraith IV on the development, production, and release of Legend of the Eight Samurai. More than just a making-of, Galbraith dives into interesting anecdotes about the players (including some of the superstars including teen idol Hiroko Yakushimaru, and Hiroyuki Sanada) that made the film, critique of the film, the production locations (sets created, et. al.), similarities and homages to other popular works, and much more. The visual essay is excellently edited by Jonathan Zaurin and written by Galbraith.
Theatrical trailer (2:24) – in Japanese with English Subtitles
The Final Thought
Eureka has brought another unique Fukasaku epic to Blu-ray with great extras. Highest recommendations!!!