The third entry in the Lone Wolf and Baby Cart series moves at a more deliberate pace and has less action and graphic bloodshed than the two previous films, but still stands out as an important movie thanks to the fascinating insights it provides concerning the strongly held and unwavering samurai code of fearsome samurai warrior protagonist Ogami Itto (a typically fine and towering performance by Tomisaburo Wakayama). Ogami's discussions with fellow erstwhile samurai turned mercenary Magomura Kanbei (ably played with quiet strength and dignity by Go Kato) about their deeply felt samurai code of ethics and willingness to be subjected to extreme torture in order to save the life of lowly dejected prostitute Omatso (a touching turn by Sayoko Kato) reveal that Ogami is substantially more than just a formidable killing machine: He's also a man of great honor and humanity. Moreover, this film still delivers an exciting action set piece at the end with Ogami taking on and taking out a slew of men. In addition, the final confrontation between Ogami and Magomura packs a potent emotional (and visceral) punch. A very solid and satisfying film.

This series has its ups and occasional downs, and the latter is the case, here. There's an agreeable amount of spatter, with an inventive implementation of the Baby Cart's weapons, but the editing film is a seriously disjointed, the film-making itself rougher than usual. At times, the action slows to a crawl as the camera follows the wordless wanderings of the "cub," who nearly gets lost early on. All in all, disappointment.That said, there's a spaghetti eastern quality to the music and action that may win the approval of dedicated viewers. This installment spends much of its time following the minor misadventures of the little boy, who begins to stare into the abyss of death his father opened for him.

The BABY CART series are an excellent set of films involving a wandering ronin and his son, Daigoro who were betrayed by their original clan, and are out to seek justice (and a little cash...) along the way.This one has Itto involved in a run-in with a prostitute, where he undergoes torture on behalf of the hooker who killed a pimp. Other side-stories include Itto's meeting another "disgraced" samurai, and his next "job" - to kill an officer who killed the whore-house madam's sister, and a great fight scene where Itto takes on a whole gang of assassins...Another solid entry in the "classic" BABY CART series - again, beautifully filmed and acted with great story lines and action - and as always, the interaction between father-and-son assassins is a strange and beautiful sight to behold. Definitely Recommended 8.5/10

Impressively violent. Lone wolf is hired to kill a minor official who murdered a madam's sister. He ends up taking on, and killing an entire army. An Incredibly high body count. Very spaghetti western in style. Good if you like lots of swordplay and rapid evisceration.