The Sonny Chiba Collection – Shout! Factory (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Japan, 1972 (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences), Japan, 1973 (Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer)), Japan, 1978 (Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle)), Japan, 1981 (Samurai Reincarnation), Japan, 1989 (Shogun's Shadow)
Directors: Ryuichi Takamori (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer)), Buichi Saitô (Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences), Yasuo Furuhata (Shogun's Shadow), Kinji Fukasaku (Samurai Reincarnation, Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle)),
Cast: Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba (All films), Kôji Nanbara, Makoto Satô, Ryôji Hayama, Rokkô Toura, Yayoi Watanabe, Hideo Murota (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder), Tsunehiko Watase, Reiko Ike, Tatsuya Fuji, Mikio Narita, Asao Uchida, Ryôhei Uchida, Shinzô Hotta, Shôki Fukae (Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences), Etsuko Shihomi, Jirô Chiba, Mari Atsumi, Kinji Takinami, Yayoi Watanabe, Eiji Gô, Ryôhei Uchida (Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Tsunehiko Watase, Maki Mizuhara, Akiyoshi Fukae, Hideo Murota, Rokkô Toura, Eiji Gô, Etsuko Shihomi (Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer), Ken Ogata, Tetsurô Tanba, Masaki Kyômoto, Hiroki Matsukata, Takeshi Maya (Shogun's Shadow), Kenji Sawada, Akiko Kana, Ken Ogata, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tetsurô Tanba, Tomisaburô Wakayama (Samurai Reincarnation), Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tsunehiko Watase, Masaomi Kondô, Toshirô Mifune, Kyôko Enami, Kasho Nakamura, Shinsuke Mikimoto, Tetsurô Tanba (Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle)

Release Date: November 15th, 2022
Approximate Running Times: 87 Minutes 46 Seconds (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder), 84 Minutes 36 Seconds (Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences), 87 Minutes 35 Seconds (Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard)), 88 Minutes 31 Seconds (Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer)), 111 Minutes 34 Seconds (Shogun's Shadow), 121 Minutes 46 Seconds (Samurai Reincarnation), 2 Hours 39 Minutes 24 Seconds (Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences, Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer), Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle)), 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Shogun's Shadow, Samurai Reincarnation)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Japanese (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences, Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer), Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Samurai Reincarnation), DTS-HD Stereo Japanese (Shogun's Shadow)
Subtitles: English (All Films)
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $69.99

Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder: "In this riveting Western, a vengeful man is after the Japanese yakuza for killing his boss and selling his sister into slavery." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences: "In this fantastic sequel, Chiba is sent to prison after being betrayed by a yakuza underboss. Once out, he looks to get his revenge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard): "Based on the anime by Ikki Kajiwara, Bodyguard Kiba follows a martial arts fighter (Sonny Chiba) who takes on the yakuza." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer): "This terrific sequel opens with our hero in prison. Upon his release, he takes a bodyguard position at a nightclub ... and his new employer ends up being the one who had him imprisoned!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Shogun's Shadow: "A young man on a journey to Edo to mark his passage to manhood is accompanied by seven master samurai charged with getting him there safely ... against the wishes of a powerful shogunate." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Samurai Reincarnation: "When a resurrected demon assembles a team of undead samurai warriors to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, only one person can defeat them: Jubei Yagyu (Sonny Chiba)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle): "Director Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale, The Yakuza Papers) teams up with Sonny Chiba to present a daring and violent version of Japan's most epic myth, "The 47 Loyal Retainers." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences, Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer)), 4.25/5 (Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Samurai Reincarnation, Shogun's Shadow)

Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder and Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.2 GB

Feature: 20.4 GB (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder), 19.6 GB (Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences)

Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard) and Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer) come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.7 GB

Feature: 20.3 GB (Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), 20.6 GB (Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer)

Shogun's Shadow and Samurai Reincarnation come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.1 GB

Feature: 23.3 GB (Samurai Reincarnation), 21.5 GB (Shogun's Shadow)

Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.2 GB

Feature: 39.5 GB

There is no information provided about the sources used for these transfers. All seven films are in great shape, and any source damage has been removed. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels fare well, and any compression issues are minor. That said, the sources used for the three more recent films, Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Samurai Reincarnation, and Shogun's Shadow, are stronger than the sources used for the other four films.

Audio: 4/5 (Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences, Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard), Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer), Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Samurai Reincarnation, Shogun's Shadow)

All the films come with a DTS-HD mono mix in Japanese, except Shogun's Shadow, which comes with a DTS-HD stereo mix in Japanese. All of the audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, they are satisfactory. Each film comes with English subtitles. It should be noted that subtitles can only be disabled via the main menu and not during playback.

Extras:

Extras on the disc with Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder and Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences are a theatrical trailer for Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder (2 minutes 35 seconds, DTS-HD mono Japanese with non-removable English subtitles) and a theatrical trailer for Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences (2 minutes 44 seconds, DTS-HD mono Japanese with non-removable English subtitles).

Extras on the disc with Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard) and Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer) are limited to a theatrical trailer for Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard) (2 minutes 42 seconds, DTS-HD mono Japanese with non-removable English subtitles).

Extras on the disc with Shogun's Shadow and Samurai Reincarnation are a theatrical trailer for Shogun's Shadow (3 minutes 14 seconds, DTS-HD stereo Japanese with non-removable English subtitles) and a theatrical trailer forSamurai Reincarnation (3 minutes 2 seconds, DTS-HD mono Japanese with non-removable English subtitles).

Extras on the disc with Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle) are limited to an archival interview with actor Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba titled Street Fighting Man (27 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with non-removable English subtitles).

Other extras include a slipcase.

Summary:

Sadao Maeda, AKA Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba (he earned the nickname "Sonny" while working on an ad campaign for Toyota), was born on January 22nd, 1939, in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. In 1960, he would enter and win Toei Studios' "New Faces" contest. There was a big push on the part of Toei to exploit him as a star to the fullest by placing him in roles that would showcase his fourth-degree black belt in karate.

In 1967, the TV series Key Hunter (Toei’s fuel-injected variation on Mission Impossible) would give him the boost his career needed and make him a bankable action star. Key Hunter would remain on the air for 5 years, resulting in over 250 hour-long episodes. In 1969, he would form the Japan Action Club, which was created to provide able-bodied stuntmen and martial artists for any studio that was able to hire them.

The 1970s would see him reach his peak in popularity with the Street Fighter films. The Street Fighter would go on to become the first film in MPAA history to receive an "X" rating for violence. In 1979, he would return to television with the series Hanzo Hattori, AKA Shadow Warriors. Over the next twenty years, he would make films in Hollywood and Hong Kong, as well as continue to make films in Japan.

Part of his resurgence in America must also be credited to writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s screenplay, which features Christian Slater going to a Sonny Chiba festival. He has enjoyed a successful film career that has spanned over six decades. With his recent appearance in the box office smash Kill Bill: Volume 1, he is now more popular than ever.

Through all of his ups and downs, he will always be remembered for his signature role as Takuma "Terry" Tsurugi, a vicious assassin in the series of Street Fighter films, which has earned him a cult following around the world. On August 19th, 2021, he would pass away at the age of eighty-two.

Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder: The narrative revolves around Gosuke Himuro, whose murdered father was the leader of the Himuro clan. Five years after his father's death, he returns to Okinawa looking for his sister Kyoko and to avenge his father's death. Knowing that a single man cannot defeat two clans on his own, he pits the Onama clan, which killed his father, against the Koyu-Kai clan, which turned his sister Kyoko into a junkie sex slave.

Content-wise, Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder lays somewhere in between the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series and the Street Fighter Trilogy. Other influences are Yojimbo and the spaghetti western genre, notably Django. In the latter case, there is a moment that clearly has a Django vibe.

Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder has a provocative opening where a naked woman in the throws of sex and her lover are killed by an assassin. And though the premise retreads familiar ground, a briskly paced narrative with an ample amount of sleaze and carnage ensures there is never a dull moment.

And as good as the cast is in their roles, Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder is undeniably Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s show. He portrays Gosuke Himuro, the estranged son of a murdered yakuza boss. He delivers a strong performance, portraying a tough guy character that is cut from the same mold as the types of characters he is most known for. Another performance of note is Yayoi Watanabe (Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion) in the role of Gosuke’s sister Seako. Though her screen time is limited, she still delivers a powerful performance that makes Gosuke’s quest for vengeance all the more potent.

Another strength of Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder is its visuals, which do not miss a beat when it comes to exploiting every moment of sleaze and bloodletting. Standout moments visually include the scene where Gosuke rescues his sister from an opium den. Other standout moments include a scene where Izumi, the boss of the Koyu-Kai clan, has his kidnapped daughter returned in a Christ-like pose in the back of a dump truck. and the ending, in which Gosuke is forced to invent a new way to shoot his gun after both of his hands are broken. Ultimately, Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder is a textbook example of Toei’s 1970s output, a decade in which they were unrivaled in Japan when it came to exploitation cinema.

Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences: Though it is billed as a sequel to Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, in reality, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences is a sequel in name only.

The narrative revolves around an arms dealer named Ibuki who ends up in prison when a deal goes sideways. After his release from prison, he tries to start a new life, only to be drawn back into his old life of crime due to a betrayal.

Though there are many similarities between Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences and Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder, the most notable is that both are yakuza films about vengeance. Tone-wise, these two films are like night and day. Yakuza 2: Extend My Condolences often employs humor to offset its grim moments.

Another thing that sets Yakuza Wolf 2 Extend My Condolences apart from Yakuza Wolf: Perform Murder's fight scenes, which are more elaborate set pieces. There are many fight scenes in which characters are outnumbered. Notably, there is a scene where Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s character Ibuki faces off against three highly skilled assassins.

When watching a Toei film from the 1970s, you will notice recognizable faces. Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences is filled with a who's who of 1970s Toei. And their performances are all very good in their roles, especially Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba in the role of Ibuki. Though not one of his more memorable characters, he is still able to deliver an ample amount of machismo and kick a lot of asses along the way. Another performance of note is Reiko Ike (Sex and Fury) in the role of a nightclub performer named Mari. There is not much to this character beyond her being eye candy.

From a production standpoint, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences has all the elements one would expect from a 1970s Toei exploitation film. Its narrative moves along briskly; there is a good mix of action and sleaze, and there is a satisfying finale to the events that preceded. Also, the visuals do a great job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences is an entertaining film that fans of Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba will get the most mileage out of.

Bodyguard Kiba (The Bodyguard): Despite appearing in over one hundred films, a large number of Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s were never released theatrically in America. That said, Bodyguard Kiba was released in America under the title The Bodyguard.

The main difference between the U.S. and Japanese versions is the U.S. version's inclusion of fight scenes with Aaron Banks, Bill Louie, and Judy Lee. These scenes make up less than ten minutes of the film, and they do not further the narrative. You could remove them, and the narrative would not suffer from their loss. Also, the U.S. opening credits feature Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s mentor Masutatsu Oyama and other martial artists performing while they chant "Viva Chiba!"

Also, the U.S. version of The Bodyguard opens with the narration, "The path of the righteous man and defender is beset on all sides by the iniquity of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the father of lost children. And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious anger, who poison and destroy my brothers; and they shall know that I am Chiba the Bodyguard when I shall lay my vengeance upon them!" - Ezekiel 25:17 This same text would be later used in Pulp Fiction when one of its characters, Jules Winnfield, a hitman, recites it before killing a man.

Having the opportunity to see the Japanese version of Bodyguard Kiba elevates the stature of this film. From its opening moments, Bodyguard Kiba establishes a relentless tone that is reinforced by memorable set pieces. Notably, a woman lies naked and the only thing covering her is the shadow of a cross, and there is a scene where Kiba breaks a coke bottle with his bare hands. Also, bad guys enter the room in the most unusual ways as they hide themselves in furniture, and during one fight scene, Kiba rips an arm off his opponent and uses it as a weapon. That said, the fight scenes are brutal and just as memorable as the ones in Street Fighter, which came out a year after Bodyguard Kiba.

During this era of Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s career, there's no denying that he was the main attraction and everyone else's performances were overshadowed. Despite some gruesome fight scenes, the overall tone of Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s performance is one of his more subdued ones from this same time period. That said, the supporting cast more than fulfilled their roles. Jirô Chiba (Karate Bullfighter) and Etsuko Shihomi (Sister Streetfighter), both members of the Japan action club and Shin'ichi "Sonny" Chiba film regulars, have brief cameos in Bodyguard Kiba.

Toshiaki Tsushima, who also composed the scores for the three Streetfighter films, composed the score for Bodyguard Kiba. Though some may prefer the American version of The Bodyguard, it pales in comparison to the Japanese version, Bodyguard Kiba. Ultimately, Bodyguard Kiba is a solid mix of bone-crunching action and exploitation that ranks right up there with Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba’s best films, like the Street Fighter series.

Bodyguard Kiba 2 (Karate Killer): Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba reprises his role for this sequel to Bodyguard Kiba. And though Bodyguard Kiba 2 carries over all the elements from its predecessor, it has one significant difference: this time around, Kiba is not a hero; he has fallen from grace. That said, Bodyguard Kiba 2 is a tale about redemption.

From its opening moments, Bodyguard Kiba 2 quickly grips you with a dual sequence between Kiba and a character named Kazuki Samejima, who is portrayed by Masashi Ishibashi, who is most remembered for portraying Tateki Shikenbaru aka Junjo from the first two Streetfighter films. Their duel is over whose fighting style is better. And during the duel, Kiba’s opponent blinds her sister by impaling her eyes with his fingers.

The cast is solid, and they all deliver strong performances, especially Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba in the role of Kiba. He further expands on the character he previously portrayed in Bodyguard Kiba. Though this character lacks depth, he more than makes up for it with his psychic performance in the fight scenes. Another performance of note is Eiji Go (The Executioner) in the role of Ryuzuka, a psychopath yakuza henchman who, in one scene, kills a dog for no reason.

From a production standpoint, Bodyguard Kiba 2 maximizes its resources. The narrative does a great job building momentum by giving key moments an ample amount of time to resonate and a sensational ending where an outnumbered Kiba gets his redemption. Also, though the fight scenes are not memorable, they are well executed and get the job done. Ultimately, Bodyguard Kiba 2 is a good film that brings nothing new to the table.

Shogun's Shadow: Despite a six-decade career, the majority of which he spent with Toei director Yasuo Furuhata, he is best known to Western filmgoers for the 1989 Chanbara film Shogun's Samurai.

By the time Shogun's Samurai was released, however, Chanbara films had seen better days. This genre, which was at its peak in the 1960s, has been in decline since the 1970s. That said, Shogun’s Shadow would breathe some new life into the Chanbara film by delivering what is arguably the last great Chanbara film.

The idea of having seven samurai in a film isn’t exactly an original one. Shogun’s Shadow’s seven samurai possess powers that are usually associated with another Japanese icon, the Ninja. Shogun’s Samurai, like other Chanbara films, revolves around someone who wants to kill a family member who stands in their way of maintaining power. And though this premise covers familiar territory, the result is a film that manages to keep things interesting by throwing in twists that slightly change the direction of the story.

Shogun’s Shadow is blessed with an incredible cast that is headlined by Ken Ogata (The Ballad of Narayama) in the role of Igo Gyobu, a samurai entrusted with the task of protecting the Shogun’s heir from assassins sent by his father, Tetsurô Tanba (Bullet Train) in the role of a samurai named Hotta Masamori, and Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba, in the role of an assassin named Iba Shoemon. Sure, Shin'ichi "Sonny" Chiba has played a bad guy before, and he has played both sides in a few films, but he has never played a heavy like Iba Shoemon. This is the most un-heroic and cold character he has ever played, which makes it extremely hard to ever feel anything for him.

Besides acting, Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba also choreographed the stunts and action sequences. It is not surprising that Shogun’s Shadow's greatest strength is its brilliantly staged fight sequences. That said, it is only fitting that his character, Iba Shoemon, gets the best fight scene in the movie when he faces Igo Gyobu in a duel. Also, Toei put a lot of effort into the production, making it most likely one of their last epic productions. The sets look authentic, and the costumes are equally impressive. Ultimately, Shogun’s Shadow perfectly mixes high adventure and action for a thrill ride that you won’t soon forget.

Samurai Reincarnation: In 1961, Toei would pair up two up-and-coming talents, Kinji Fukasaku and Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba, who for the next two decades would play a large role in their success as a company. Their collaboration would span eighteen films, starting with Wandering Detective: Tragedy in Red Valley and ending with Battle Royale II.

The most popular adaptation of Futaro Yamada's novel Samurai Reincarnation is Kinji Fukasaku's 1981. From its opening moments, Kinji Fukasaku’s exceptional direction gives the narrative a brisk pace that makes Samurai Reincarnation feel shorter than its 122-minute length.

Another strength are the visuals, which are filled with striking imagery and take full advantage of the vivid color palette. That said, Samurai Reincarnation looks and feels like a live-action manga. The most memorable moment is a scene in the Shogun’s castle where Jubei Yagyu, whose body is covered in Buddhist writing, fights a samurai named Shiro Amakusa as the castle is engulfed in an inferno of flames.

Samurai Reincarnation features an outstanding cast who deliver amazing performances, especially Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba in the role of Jubei Yagyu and Tomisaburô Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Cub) in the role of Lord Tajima no Kami Munenori Yagyu. Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba delivers one of the best performances of his career, which is not a surprise since Jubei Yagyu is one of his most iconic characters. He would portray Jubei Yagyu at two other times: in Shogun's Samurai, The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy, and the Yagyu Clan Conspiracy TV series.

From a production standpoint, Samurai Reincarnation is a film where everything falls perfectly into place. The fight scenes are exceptional, the set design is phenomenal, and the special effects, though dated by today's standards, unlike so many films that used digital effects from that era, are not an eyesore. Ultimately, Samurai Reincarnation is a very satisfying mix of action, fantasy, and melodrama.

Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle): The story of the 47 Ronin, who defied the shogun in their quest for vengeance for their fallen master, has been adapted for the big screen several times, the most well-known version to western audiences being Toho's 1962 adaptation Chushingura: 47 Samurai. 

Kinji Fukasaku is no stranger when it comes to recreating historical events or mythical figures in Japanese folklore. He has the knack of mixing fantasy with reality to such a degree that it is hard to tell what is pure fiction and what is fact.

Throughout Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Kinji Fukasaku utilizes the scope frame to its fullest as he exploits the lavish sets and intricate fight choreography. His direction is fluid, as the camera merely observes and never feels forced in its placement.

There are spectacular casts and there are great casts.In the case of Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), it falls into the former. Legendary Japanese actor Toshirô Mifune (Chushingura) is remarkable in the role of Tsuchiya, the shogun’s right hand man. And in every scene he is in, he dominates the frame. The strongest performance belongs to Masaomi Kondo, who portrays Hashimoto, a samurai who becomes crippled and then, in self-pity, loses himself in alcohol.

Frequent Kinji Fukasaku collaborator Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba has a cameo in the role of Kazuemon Fuwa, a samurai who was banished from his clan for killing a man. Though his onscreen time is brief, his character looms larger throughout. That said, his character is a man of few words who spends most of his screen time showcasing his sword-fighting skills.

The narrative is perfectly laid out, with key moments given just the right amount of time to resonate. The pacing ensures that momentum is never lost, and the finale provides a climax that's worthy of the events that preceded. Ultimately, Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle) is an extraordinary film from one of Japan's greatest filmmakers, Kinji Fukasaku, and a must-see for fans of samurai films.

The lack of extras is disappointing, especially when you consider the main extra is an extra that was already part of Shout! Factory’s The Street Fighter Collection. Shout! Factory’s The Sonny Chiba Collection brings together seven Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba films and gives them strong audio/video presentations, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer