Credited cast: | |||
Shin'ichi Chiba | ... | Lt. Yoshiaki Iba (as Sonny Chiba) | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Jun Etô | ... | Nobuhiko Ken |
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Moeko Ezawa | ... | Widow Yui |
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Ryô Hayami | ... | Kazumichi Morishita |
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Noriko Honma | ... | Old Woman |
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Koji Iizuka | ... | Shokichi |
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Masashi Ishibashi | ... | Hosokawa Fujitaka |
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Toshitaka Itô | ... | Seaman Harumi Takashima |
Haruki Kadokawa | ... | Sanada Masayuki | |
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Takuzô Kadono | ... | Seaman Toshishige Suga |
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Hiroshi Kamayatsu | ... | Mokichi Nemoto |
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Gorô Kataoka | ... | Tategawa Katsuzo |
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Hiroshi Katsuno | ... | Track Coach |
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Tadashi Katô | ... | Sgt. Hideo Shimizu |
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Kenzô Kawarasaki | ... | Koji Kano |
A squadron of Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers find themselves transported through time to their country's warring states era, when rival samurai clans were battling to become the supreme Shogun. The squad leader, Lt. Iba, sees this as the perfect opportunity to realize his dream of becoming the ruler of Japan. To achieve this, he teams his troops up with those of Kagatori, a samurai daimyo who also aspires to become Shogun. Are either of these power-hungry warriors to be trusted? Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
I just finished watching the 139 min version (widescreen) with some friends and we were blown away. I won't bother repeating what others have said. What the filmmakers do with the concept is unexpected and fun. The huge battle is exhausting. Afterwards we were stunned to find there was still nearly 30 minutes left to go but that didn't keep us from being completely involved and entertained.
There is one thing that nearly ruined it and that was the horrific music/songs. Blues, Country/Folk and Rock Ballads do not belong here and every time they are used we all broke out in laughter. It's hideous. You have been warned but the story and storytelling keeps you grounded.
There are several outstanding moments that make you appreciate the talent behind the camera. There are many uses of silence as well as slow-motion photography that work beautifully. I really wish I could erase the music but alas.
Seek this out. It's fun, it's different and it takes you to places you wouldn't expect and that's very refreshing.