Post originally by Loco at 2004-09-23 00:33:28
Converted from Phorums BB System

This movie was based on one of the classics of Japanese literature and THE definitive classic of bushido and samurai -- Hakkenden, or the "Legend of Dog Warriors". This was a pet project of Sonny Chiba, who had starred as the "Street Fighter", Japan's answer to Bruce Lee.

The movie was one of the most expensive for Japan at the time and Chiba put a lot of his own cash and that from his stunt studio into the project. Unfortunately for him, the movie flopped and almost ruined his career professionally and his studio financially. He eventually recovered but he lost good deal of stature within the Japanese film industry. You can look at the movie as Chiba's "Apocalypse Now" but not as good, or as "Waterworld", but better.

It's too bad the review's based on the Platinum edition, which's rather terrible. The soundtrack is definitely not the original one, especially the cheesy, porno love songs. Coupled with the bad dub, this made the movie practically unwatchable for me, except as a camp fare.

Trust me, the movie may not win any Oscars, but it ain't no "Battlefield Earth" or "Ishtar". It's an average movie with higher than average budget for a Japanese film (though you won't be able to tell) that's marred by too many 80's Hollywood fantasy cliches. It's hard not to laugh when the Judas Priest wannabe samurais appear.