Spectral Army Rises: Shogun’s Worst Nightmare

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MOVIE REVIEW
Samurai Reincarnation (Makai tenshô)
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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Year Released: 1981, 2023 Eureka Blu-ray
Runtime: 2h 2m
Director(s): Kinji Fukasaku
Writer(s): Kinji Fukasaku, Tatsuo Nogami, Fûtarô Yamada
Cast: Shin'ichi Chiba, Kenji Sawada, Akiko Kana, Ken Ogata, Hiroyuki Sanada
Where To Watch: available to order from www.eurekavideo.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome aboard as we journey to the past. Destination: the Edo period of Japan. Our visual compass for this exhilarating journey? None other than Kinji Fukasaku's riveting SAMURAI REINCARNATION. Known for weaving cinematic magic with the Yakuza Papers series, Fukasaku strikes gold again. This film delivers a potent blend of Chanbara and fantasy genres, making it a feast for the eyes of the viewer.

Enter our protagonist, Amakusa Shiro. Immortalized on-screen by Kenji Sawada, Shiro is a Christian leader whose spirit refuses to accept defeat even after his gruesome beheading, a consequence of an explosive rebellion that claimed the lives of 37,000 peasants at Hara Castle. His severed head stands as a haunting symbol of the Shogunate's victory. But what follows is a twist that grabs us by the throat – a transformation from martyr to evil force, fuelled by an unquenchable thirst for revenge. Shiro harnesses his newfound powers to rally the dying samurais to rise against the reigning Shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna, a role executed brilliantly by Noboru Matsuhashi.

It's no small feat to bring these figures to life on the big screen, but SAMURAI REINCARNATION manages just that, elevating it to a league of its own. Our antagonist Shiro's spectral army, boasts a long list of names from Japan's past – the awe-inspiring female samurai Lady Hosokawa, priest Inshun Hozoin who has perfected the art of the spear, and Musashi Miyamoto, the legendary samurai.

A ray of hope emerges before despair can take hold – the solitary samurai Yagyu Jubei, portrayed by the masterful Sonny Chiba. Amidst the chaos and danger, he rises as a beacon of bravery, standing up to the formidable task of quelling the ominous uprising.

Fukasaku’s directorial hand reveals its firm grip over the narrative in SAMURAI REINCARNATION. It beautifully tackles the film's vast ensemble, balancing the tale between its heroes and villains. The initial chapters of the film delve into the pasts of the tragic samurais, while the climax crescendos to the long-awaited face-off between Jubei and his supernatural army.

With its tapestry of rebellion, resilience, and revenge, SAMURAI REINCARNATION is a cinematic journey through 17th-century Japan that leaves a lasting impression. Featuring an ensemble cast of historical figures, the film skillfully tells a captivating and memorable tale. This beautiful edition via the Masters of Cinema series' 2K restoration is a testament to this film's timeless charm. So, sit back, make yourself comfortable, and prepare for a unique cinematic expedition. But remember, this one's not for the faint-hearted!

SPECIAL FEATURES
– Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato [2000 copies]
– 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements
– Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio
– Alternate English dubbed audio
– Optional English subtitles
– Brand new audio commentary by Tom Mes
– Brand new interview with filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku
– Original Japanese trailer
– A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA]