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The Bushido Blade

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
403
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Bushido Blade (1981)
  • Action
  • Drama
  • History
A steel samurai blade that was to be given to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan is stolen. American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent to find it.A steel samurai blade that was to be given to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan is stolen. American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent to find it.A steel samurai blade that was to be given to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan is stolen. American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent to find it.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
403
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Tsugunobu Kotani
  • Writer
    • William Overgard(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Boone
    • Toshirô Mifune
    • Mike Starr
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tsugunobu Kotani
  • Writer
    • William Overgard(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Boone
    • Toshirô Mifune
    • Mike Starr
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 12User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos36

    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    The Bushido Blade (1981)
    Toshirô Mifune in The Bushido Blade (1981)
    Richard Boone in The Bushido Blade (1981)
    Toshirô Mifune in The Bushido Blade (1981)
    Toshirô Mifune and Richard Boone in The Bushido Blade (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Boone
    Richard Boone
    • Commodore Matthew Perryas Commodore Matthew Perry
    Toshirô Mifune
    Toshirô Mifune
    • Shogun's Commanderas Shogun's Commander
    Mike Starr
    Mike Starr
    • Bos'n Cave Johnsonas Bos'n Cave Johnson
    Timothy Patrick Murphy
    Timothy Patrick Murphy
    • Midshipman Robin Burras Midshipman Robin Burr
    Frank Converse
    Frank Converse
    • Captain Lawrence Hawkas Captain Lawrence Hawk
    William Ross
    • Perry's Aideas Perry's Aide
    Bin Amatsu
    • Baron Zenas Baron Zen
    Shin'ichi Chiba
    Shin'ichi Chiba
    • Prince Idoas Prince Ido
    • (as Sony Chiba)
    Iwae Arai
    • Guideas Guide
    Mayumi Asano
    • Yukias Yuki
    James Earl Jones
    James Earl Jones
    • The Prisoneras The Prisoner
    Laura Gemser
    Laura Gemser
    • Tomoeas Tomoe
    Mako
    Mako
    • Enjiroas Enjiro
    Hitoshi Ômae
    • Sumoas Sumo
    • (as Kin Omai)
    Tetsurô Tanba
    Tetsurô Tanba
    • Lord Yamatoas Lord Yamato
    • Director
      • Tsugunobu Kotani
    • Writer
      • William Overgard(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A steel samurai blade that was to be given to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan is stolen. American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent to find it.
    • ninja
    • battle
    • sword
    • sword fight
    • swashbuckler
    • 32 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • BUSHIDO means revenge - BUSHIDO means bloodshed - BUSHIDO means violent death!
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • History
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although this film was derided as an attempt to copy the hit TV mini-series Shogun (1980), it was actually made in 1978, before Shogun (1980), though it wasn't released until after that series had aired.
    • Alternate versions
      First shown in USA in a 92-minute version on cable television, prior to a theatrical release in the USA of the complete 104-minute version, this retitled "The Bloody Bushido Blade."

    User reviews12

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Watchable...barely
    Great cast. Too bad the rest of it couldn't match up.

    Richard Boone plays a growling Cmmdr. Perry in his last role. And REALLY chews it up.

    Frank (Coronet Blue) Converse (The real star) attempts to be an action hero. Not enough action though. And He's a little wooden.

    Any Asian actor with a name dropped by for a cameo. Seeing the late, great Toshiro Mifune reprise most of his previous samurai roles was nice. And Sonny Chiba's warrior cliché is something I never get tired of. Then there's Mako as the cliché' wise man.

    Laura (GODDESS) Gemser showing up made it worth the price of a rental. (To me anyway. She is GORGEOUS.) Seeing a young Mike Starr was kind of cool. He was obviously meant to be comedy relief.

    James Earl Jones role should have been larger. Is this film still cut? An adventure story about finding a stolen sword could have and should have been a lot better.

    And that minstrel show on the ship might anger a few people...even if it is based on facts of the times.

    Not a waste...not unmissable either.
    helpful•11
    0
    • haildevilman
    • Jun 7, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 19, 1981 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • The Bloody Bushido Blade
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Rankin/Bass Productions
      • Toho
      • Trident
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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