Japanese and American cinema have always maintained staunch and different cultural styles and identities, and yet, their influence on each other steadily mixes and mingles on both fronts. Samurai films, especially those made by iconic director Akira Kurosawa, have had their entire plots dropped into American Wild West films, replacing sword-wielding warriors with gun-slinging cowboys. In more recent decades, stemming from the 1980s and onward, Japan began sharing more than just their plot lines, but also their talent.
One of Japan’s most celebrated actors in Samurai classics was Toshirō Mifune, who also played Toranaga in the original Shōgun miniseries in 1980 alongside Hollywood’s Richard Chamberlain. This series was one of the biggest hits and an example of what a collaborative production and cultural exchange between Japanese and Hollywood films could create. Over 40 years later, history repeated itself with a massive cultural update as Shōgun was revisited, and with it, another celebrated Japanese actor was able to don the mantle of Toranaga and bear the additional title of producer, Hiroyuki Sanada. Both well-seasoned and primed to act and do martial arts in numerous films in both Japan and Hollywood, Sanada’s career has been colorful throughout, and one of his earlier features is a forgotten genre gem.
There Is A Fantasy Genre Amid Samurai Films
Most samurai films are based in a more grounded or historical setting, at least most of the ones that made it to the West. Those that weren’t as anchored in historical events or wars were often done in a fable-like setting, but remain grounded. However, this is not the only genre of samurai film, and just like European storytelling adds knights to its fantasies, samurai films sometimes immerse their warriors into worlds of magic and mystery. Often, these films are considered pulpy genre films, echoing colorful sets, effects, and action that could be attributed to modern ideas of what a retro dark fantasy film would be. One of Hiroyuki Sanada’s earlier films was just that.
Legend of the Eight Samurai was made in 1983 and starred Hiroyuki Sanada and his iconic martial arts film mentor, Sonny Chiba. This pairing is incredibly significant, since Sanada was trained by Sonny Chiba’s among other would-be martial arts actors and stuntmen, for years. For Sanada to be starring in a big production alongside him is quite a treat to behold.
Legend Of The Eight Samurai Feels Like An '80s Fantasy Cult Classic
- The original title of the film in Japan was Satomi Hakken-den, or Legend of the Eight Dogs of Satomi.
- The film is originally based on a 1982 novel by Toshio Kamata, which is itself a loose adaptation of a famous work written by Kyokutei Bakin.
Now more than ever, Hiroyuki Sanada’s early fantasy flick Legend of the Eight Samurai is more prevalent than ever. Not just because of Sanada’s rise to fame, but also the trending enthusiasm behind the ideas of the retro dark fantasy genre. Full of campy effects, ominous sets, and magical beings, Legend of the Eight Samurai delivers all the right tones for audiences who have enjoyed Hollywood’s renditions of these kinds of films.
The story centers around Princess Shizu, whose family is killed by the cronies of an evil Queen. She is found and protected by an unlikely band of warriors. She tells them of her family’s curse that involves eight beads that can only be wielded by very particular warriors, and, in order to defeat the Evil Queen, they must find the beads. These beads seem to contain magical powers that can imbue the warriors or weapons they wield to have extraordinary power. The film is full of horse chases, dungeon delving, and blood-bathing villains. Its shooting style is wild and pulpy to amp up the energy of the action, which comes to no surprise since it is directed by Kinji Fukasaku, well known for directing the cult classic, Battle Royale.
Sanada's Energetic Role Is A Great Time Capsule In Itself
In the early rise of his career in 1980, Hiroyuki Sanada’s devilish vagabond role as Shinbei really shows how far he has come as an actor and martial artist. His wild charisma and animated characterization in the film are worlds apart from the tough but stoic performer who graces Hollywood’s big and small screens today. Interestingly, his mentor and co-star Sonny Chiba plays more of a group leader, yet not the lead, as Shinbei, eager to collect the bounty on the Princess’ head, has a change of heart and helps her enact her revenge.
The massive amount of action that blazes across the screen against the vampire-like villains and the warrior heroes gives plenty of opportunities to show off Sanada’s early skill with many weapons and stunts. Almost lost to time, Legend of the Eight Samurai luckily has risen to some recent attention after Sanada’s Shōgun performance. Legend of the Eight Samurai also received a 4K re-release in Japan, giving it an even more vibrant and contemporary format option to enjoy the film. With such a long wait ahead before season 2 of Shōgun, looking back at one of his early fantasy films could be a fun palate cleanser before the grounded historical grit and glamor of Shōgun returns to television.
