PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Japan’s most legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, makes another significant appearance on screen in Yuji Shimomura’s Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1. Almost a decade after being filmed and sitting under an underserved layer of dust, Crazy Samurai finally found the light of day, thanks in part to independent distributors Albatros and Well Go USA. This once neglected, epic tale eventually graced an intimate number of screens in Japan, meeting a lukewarm reception in its native country but entertaining plenty of international festival-goers. Crazy Samurai introduced itself to North American streaming audiences this past February 12th and is now on beautiful Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment as of March 2nd.
If Shimomura’s name rings a bell, it’s because this dude has dutifully contributed in various capacities to a list of titles that have become mainstays with those that seek out quality Asian based entertainment, like The Warrior’s Way, Kingdom, and Re: Born.
Crazy Samurai offers a superior list of collaborators including the notable talents of co-writers Sion Sono (Suicide Club, Why Don’t You Play In Hell?) and Atsuki Tomori, and star Tak Sakaguchi (Versus, Tokyo Gore Police) teaming up again with Death Trance cohort and man of many talents, director and stunt coordinator Yuji Shimomura.
Little dialogue is utilized or needed in this impressive, contemporary addition to the celebration of samurai. From the title card on, Crazy Samurai aims to intrigue those that take a shine to this sub-genre. In an undeniable salute, Shimomura serves up a reportedly continuous 77 minute shot that firmly leans on Tak Sakaguchi’s unfathomable stamina and innate awareness as a martial artist. Crazy Samurai is an exhaustive viewing… a true spectacle to behold while marveling at the film’s numerous achievements. The camera work is almost POV as we voyeuristically partake in the melee that seems to extend Tak Sakaguchi to a new level of weariness. Thoughtful sets and superior sound design enhance Crazy Samurai as we follow Musashi facing mercenaries, samurai students, grandmasters, and more as he traverses a substantial amount of territory to claim victory.
This was an incredibly ambitious undertaking—with the team pulling it off—but I was left wanting more. More violence, a more diverse array of attacks and counter-attacks, a flow punctuated with bigger battles. Then again, if these were all met, would it have been feasible to successfully nail a continuous 77-minute sequence? Probably not. But what was captured definitely deserves a home on the shelves of fellow fans. Come for the number of slays and Tak’s insane abilities, and stay for the technical achievements and those wild last few moments.
Crazy Samurai: 400 vs. 1 is now available to purchase on Blu-ray, DVD, or streaming on Amazon Prime. Check out the trailer below!
