Overview: In the late 1890s, coal is a precious new natural resource. During an era of rapid economic growth, dreams are instilled into the lives of many across Japan. A vigorous young man with a look of fearless determination, sets foot on the northern part of Kyushu, an area where Yakuza thrived. His name is Kingoro Tamai (Yujiro Ishihara). With plans to travel the world, Kingoro worked diligently at a coal mine. His loyalty and hard work earned the respect of his peers, his courage won the heart of the beautiful Mon (Ruriko Asaoka), and his success evoked jealousy in his enemies.
Overview: The federal lord of Kofu, Tunatoyo (Tsutomu Isobe), was elected to be the next General. On his way on a trip to Edo for the ceremony, his scapegoat was shot. Oometsuke ordered an Oniwaban, Shinnosuke Takusyoku (Mikijiro Hira) to take Tsunatoyo to Edo safely. However, the enemy turned out to be his younger brother and the federal lord of Tatebayashi Kiyotake (Yoshihiro Kobayashi). On top of that, the Oniwaban sent by Kiyotake to assassinate Tsunatoyo was Shinsuke's father-in-law, Genshin Uno (Shigeru Kamiyuama).
Overview: Dark, cynical Japanese epic brought to U.S. in a dubbed version by shlockmeister Harry Novak. Still, this gory, sexy epic is made with style and interesting for to compare to "Yojimbo" and other masterworks of the form.
