Just watched SWORD OF DOOM

[Cliff Hargrave]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060277/

My second Samurai flick. Much darker and more serious than Yojimbo. Not a Kurosawa film, but interesting anyway. Mifune had a small role as the teacher of a fencing school. He got to cut a few people down too.

The action scenes were funny. Everyone that died seemed to freeze in place and then fall over like a statue. Plus the 50 on 1 fights where they all attacked one at a time was comical. :)

What I find interesting is the mannerisms, costumes, and interaction of the characters. I don't think the Samurai films made here in the west can capture the Japanese culture as well.

IFC channel is where I am catching these films if anyone is interested. They are showing a new Samurai film every Saturday. Next Satuday is Throne of Blood, another Kurosawa film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050613/

[Jay Bell]

I *loved* Sword of Doom...the fight scene with the old surrounded master in the snow ruled ;)

[Paul B]

I was so excited when I found out that IFC has these films on every saturday!! These type of films don't show up to often in my neck of the woods. I've been trying to catch them for the last 3 months, but, as typical of my luck, I was put on a 6 day schedule about a week after I found out.JEESH!! Anyway, if you liked "Sword of Doom", be on the lookout for "Samurai Rebellion", Mifune stars in it, kinda slow going, but the usual "last showdown" is worth the wait! Happy viewing!

Best Regards,

Paul Bladen---Midwest Hapkido Group---Hanminjok Hapkido

PS - Yeah, it is kinda funny how they freeze up when cut,I thought the very end of SOD was great!! I was seriously crying when he would stagger around a bit, howling and growling, and then VOOM dispatch another would be attacker!! Good stuff.

[Cliff Hargrave]

PS - Yeah, it is kinda funny how they freeze up when cut,I thought the very end of SOD was great!! I was seriously crying when he would stagger around a bit, howling and growling, and then VOOM dispatch another would be attacker!! Good stuff.


Haha! Kind of WWF like, just when you thought he was down for the count, BAM another burst of energy and three more guys cut down.

I can think of worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon :)

I am kind of hooked on these now. I can't wait until next Satuday!

[Paul B]

Oh I know!!It's the ultimate guilty pleasure, and it's horribly addictive!! My fiance gets so mad when I watch it because all the women are just an emotional wreck!! I just laugh my*** off , and tell her "see how commited they are to their man!!!! He-He!! Wow,I'm dead now!!!! Now I don't know what "style" your into, but once in a while, you'll actually see some decent swordwork and some occasional jujutsu, particularly from Mifune, who was actually a student of both Kendo and Judo, I believe. On a sidenote, if you have not had the pleasure of seeing the Samurai trilogy, your missing out!!

Best Regards,

Paul Bladen--Midwest Hapkido Group--Hanminjok Hapkido

[Luebbers]

One of my favorite things about watching old samurai flicks and kung-fu movies are the obvious connections to traditional Chinese and Japanese theatre. It's probably true of older American films as well, we're just more indoctrinated to it. But you can see how the over-the-top mannerisms and body language is straight off the live stage. I think it's funny how Cliff compared it to WWF which is, in a way (and, God, I can't believe I'm even saying this), live theatre. Same deal. You have up everything about 50 times so that the audience can get what's happening - no subtlety here.

[John J Hodges]

Sword of Doom is one of my favorites. I finally found it on DVD late last year. Had to buy it out of HK. I'll see if I can find the site.

[Shiro_ryuu]

Sword of Doom was an awesome movie. The hero was cool, he was very evil and cold-hearted, a dark and shadowy hero.

Daniel Orozco

[mateo]

Love 'Sword of Doom' although there is clearly at least one major plot thread unresolved. We get to see the young hero training over and over again (I love him tsuki-ing that beam of sunshine) only to never get to show his stuff. It was supposed to be part of a series that didn't materialize.

Seen 'Samurai Rebellion'? It has the same leading actors Mifune and Nakadai. Quite good stuff!