Shogunate executioner Orgami Itto (well played by the burly Tomisaburo Wakayama) gets framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the rival Yagyu clan. Orgami retaliates by declaring war on the Yagyu clan and wanders the countryside as an assassin for hire with his infant son Daigoro (adorable Akihiro Tomikawa) in tow.Director Kenji Misumi, working from smart and involving script by Kazuo Koike, relates the gripping story at a snappy pace, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, provides a flavorsome evocation of feudal Japan, delivers geysers of spurting blood, stages the exciting sword fights with skill and flair, and tosses in a satisfying smattering of tasty female nudity for trashy good measure. Moreover, the slimy bad guys are truly hateful and worthy of death from Orgami's lethal blade. Most importantly, Orgami's unwavering code of honor, deep-seated need for vengeance, and love for his son make him a hugely sympathetic protagonist. Tomoko Mayama contributes a touching turn as helpful prostitute Osen. Kudos are also in order for Chikashi Makiura's sumptuous widescreen cinematography and Hideaki Sakurai's sweeping harmonic score. An on the money samurai film.

Reading an article in the UK film mag The Dark Side about the Video Nasty titles,I spotted a mention about an infamous Japanese samurai movie called Shogun Assassin.Searching round online,I was surprised to find out that Shogun was a composite of two films in a series.Whilst looking round for info on the series,I discovered that a Region 1 version of the first film in the series was being sold on Ebay,which led to me getting ready to meet the lone wolf and the cub for the first time.The plot:Vowing to get revenge on those who murdered his wife after he killed a Daimyo,Itto takes his young son Daigoro along with him,as they travel from one clan controlled village to the other.Getting into contact with a clan leader,Itto is hired to assassinate a rival clan leader's gang.Taking on the job, (even after facing two hidden would-be assassins!)Daigoro and Itto travel to the destination,where they discover that the clan leader is allowing all of his gang to murder the villagers,which leads to Itto setting his sights on getting revenge for himself and the villagers. View on the film:Based on Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima's Manga series,director Kenji Misumi & cinematographer Chikashi Makiura keep a strong root to the movies comic book origins,with Misumi covering Itto in deep shadows which give the title a striking depth of field.Closely working with editor Toshio Taniguchi,Misumi displays a razor sharp ear for silence which gives the red mist sprays and exposure of female flesh an unexpected poetic atmosphere,as Misumi's long, stilted wide shots cast the action against a warm, earthy backdrop,which is cut with the slashing of Itto's sword.Adapting their Manga series,the screenplay by Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima disappointingly fails to give each of the clans and ronin gangs clear distinctive features,with the mad Yagyū Retsudo being the only samurai to stand out from the blended in crowd. Bringing their creation to life,the writers give Itto and Daigoro on the road adventures a wry sense of humour,as the duo run into everything from a Norse-God looking ronin,to a desperate to breastfeed mad women.Spending most of the film acting with a child who does not speak any dialogue, Tomisaburô Wakayama gives an excellent performance as Itto,thanks to Wakayama keeping the death of Itto's wife pressing down on his sombre shoulders during stylised ronin battles,as the lone wolf sets out to protect his cub.

I found out about this movie after just getting into the whole Japanese Samurai Genre movies. I have to say that I absolutely love this movie it is one of the best and most iconic movies I have seen due to the fact that story and characters are highly likable and lovable the weapons each of the characters use are brilliant and the settings for each of the scenes make this movie a classic. the movie takes place probably in the 1700s where a ex shogunate executioner family is killed along with his local residence upon discovering this, he is met by the local authorities who are also ordered to kill him this results in him wondering the lands of japan with his toddler son, I wont give any more of the story away but I loved this movie and I highly recommend it to gore lovers.

Like many fans, my first exposure to the world of badass warrior Ogami Itto (and son) was through Shogun Assassin, an infamous 'video nasty' that was compiled from the 'best bits' of the first two movies in the Baby Cart series, 'Sword Of Vengeance' & 'Baby Cart At The River Styx. A stylish blood-drenched epic, Shogun Assassin piqued my interest enough to make me seek out the entire Baby Cart series (comprising of six films, made between 1972 and 1974).Sword of Vengeance introduces us to protagonist Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama), whose job, as Second for the Shogunate, is to execute the enemies of the Shogun, should they fail to commit seppuku (ritual suicide). After his wife is murdered, Itto is framed for treason by the nasty Yagyu clan (who wish to take his coveted position as Second). Now a Ronin—a samurai without a master— he takes to the road working as an assassin for hire, accompanied by his young son Daigoro, who rides in a booby-trapped wooden cart. Together, they are known as Lone Wolf and Cub.With superbly choreographed fight scenes, wonderful cinematography, a terrific soundtrack, and a great central performance from Wakayama, this is an unmissable piece of samurai cinema. Itto is the Japanese equivalent of Clint Eastwood's 'man with no name': a cool-headed, tough-as-nails, and honourable character who is sparing with his words, and who only acts with violence when necessary (but always with devastating results).A lethal force with his sword (and also with the variety of weapons secreted about Daigoro's cart), Itto cuts a swathe through all who are stupid enough to challenge him. A quick flash of his blade, and his enemies are either minus a limb or two, or spouting a geyser of blood from a fatal wound.Sword of Vengeance is a prime example of cool, gritty and stylish 70s cult cinema. Watch it, and be cool by association.