Quick-draw Okatsu (1969)
"Yoen dokufuden: Hitokiri okatsu" (original title)

Director:

Nobuo Nakagawa

Writer:

Kôji Takada

Stars:

Junko Miyazono, Reiko Ônobuta, Kô Nishimura

Cast

Credited cast:
Junko Miyazono	...	Okatsu, the female samurai
Reiko Ônobuta
Kô Nishimura	...	Makabe
Kenji Imai	...	Shiozaki
Yuriko Mishima
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Yukie Kagawa	...	Saki
Masaomi Kondo	...	Rintaro
Reiko Ohshida	...	Rui
Harumi Sone	...	Jinkuro
Junko Toda	...	Okiwa (as Toshiko Sawa)
Tomisaburô Wakayama	...	Bounty hunter
Tetsuya Yamaoka

Storyline

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

22 April 2006 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Quick-draw Okatsu

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toei Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Ohyaku: The Female Demon (1968)

User Reviews

Excellent female revenge movie

Quick Draw Okatsu is touted as being a sequel to Female Demon Ohyaku which was released a year earlier. Both films feature a lead character played by Junko Miyazono, and a central revenge theme; but other than that, they don't really have a lot in common as not only do the films not follow on from one another; but the lead characters don't have the same name and the two films have a storyline that exists separately. This is an early 'Pinky' film and is often consider a precursor to the genre; and has had an obvious influence on some of the better known series such as Lady Snowblood and Female Convict Scorpion. This film focuses on Okatsu; the adopted daughter of a master swordsman. She is a master with a sword herself and her talents far overshadow that of her brother, and real child of the man who adopted her. Her brother unfortunately has a gambling habit, and it plunges the family into trouble when he loses a lot of money in a crooked dice game. After releasing he is unable to pay the debt he owes; the blame is shouldered by the father, who is killed, leading Okatsu on a path of revenge.

The major difference between this film and Female Demon Ohyaku is the fact that this one is in full colour. The colour scheme is often one of the main things I like about Pinky Violence movies; but the original managed to make black and white beautiful. Whether or not this film is better or worse for being in colour is debatable; but the colour scheme is well used (particularly where blood is concerned). The plot flows very well and the film does a good job of explaining everything and ensuring that the audience is able to get behind the lead character in her quest for revenge. There's plenty of action in the movie too; and director Nobuo Nakagawa packs the film full of fight scenes, most of which are really well filmed. The first film in the trilogy featured one of my favourite death scenes of all time (executed by the lead character with a chain) and while this one doesn't reach that high; the final murder is suitably vicious. Overall, this is an excellent little film and while eclipsed somewhat by later Pinky Violence movies; stands up well today. High recommended...if you can find a copy.