After a Shogun’s wife is killed instead of him, he vows to avenge her killers. He roams with the land with his young son and takes on mercenary work whilst working towards accomplishing his goal.

Shogun Assassin is a re-edit of a smidgen of Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance and most of Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx, two entries in the Japanese samurai series. Fun fact- this re-edit was done by Robert Houston who played Bobby in The Hills Have Eyes three years previously.

Anyone who watched the original Video Nasties here in the UK in the early 80’s will remember the excellent trailer for Shogun Assassin on the VIPCO label.

I’m pleased to say that the full film is just as good as it’s trailer. This is everything a fan of cult films and grindhouse fare would love- kick-ass fight scenes, blood aplenty (the blood really sprays) and some genuinely beautiful photography. The re-edit makes sure it’s all killer and no filler.

A voiceover also helps smooth the edges that such a melding of parts of two films together might cause. It also makes this new film feel more coherent and make sense. The English dubbing is also excellent.

Shogun Assassin also acts as a great introduction to the series of films they were stitched together from too.

A cult classic.

4.5 out of 5 stars