The story follows the life of Ryunosuke Tsukue, an amoral samurai and a master swordsman with an unorthodox style.The story follows the life of Ryunosuke Tsukue, an amoral samurai and a master swordsman with an unorthodox style.The story follows the life of Ryunosuke Tsukue, an amoral samurai and a master swordsman with an unorthodox style.
- Awards
- 1 win
Yôichi Mashio
- Yohachi
- (as Yoichi Mashio)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe same source material was used 6 years later by Kihachi Okamoto in Sword of Doom.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Best in Action: 1960 (2018)
Featured review
The First in a Grim but Colorful Trilogy
Satan's Sword (or Daibosatsu Toge, The Great Buddha Pass) is based on a very long, unfinished series of books published in Japan (all unread by me). These books have been adapted a few times to the screen. The best known in the west is Sword of Doom, starring Tatsuya Nakadai and, in a supporting role, Toshiro Mifune. Although that film is easier to find (and has a Criterion Collection blu-ray release), I preferred this trilogy of films starring Ichikawa Raizo.
The first film introduces the rather long list of characters. At the film's heart is Ryunosuke Tsuke, the anti-hero of the series. Ryunosuke enters the film by cold bloodedly murdering an old man travelling on the Great Buddha Pass. Why does Ryunoskue do this? He likes to kill people. Next, the wife of a samurai competitor comes to see Ryunosuke , begging him to throw their upcoming match, so her husband can rise in the clan. Ryunosuke sexually assaults the woman and deliberately kills her husband in the duel. That is just the type of man he is.
This first entry packs a lot of plot into 105 minutes. In addition to Ryunosuke and the dead samurai's widow, the film features Hyoma, the vengeance seeking brother of the samurai Ryunosuke killed. There is also O-Matsu, the young woman who was travelling with the old man Ryunosuke murdered on The Great Buddha Pass. In addition, the film features some political intrigue involving groups loyal to the shogun and other groups rebelling against the shogun. I do not know much about Japanese history, so some of the intricacies were lost on this viewer. The film certainly has more plot than swordplay and even ends on a cliffhanger in mid-action.
Satan's Sword has two big strengths. First and foremost is Ichikawa Raizo. I have admired the actor ever since I saw him as Kyoshiro Nemuri in the later Sleepy Eyes of Death/Son of the Black Mass movies. Few actors play a smug, anti-hero better. Ryunosuke Tsuke is a horrible person, yet the viewer cannot take his eyes off of him, thanks to Ichikawa Raizo's intense screen presence. The film's second strength is its colorful photography. Director Kenji Misumi has a wonderful eye for color and composition.
The first entry in this Daibosatsu Toge adaptation may seem a little slow for those looking for action. The film features a couple of good swordfights, but it is mostly a drama. However, the film looks nice and Ichikawa Raizo is wonderful.
The first film introduces the rather long list of characters. At the film's heart is Ryunosuke Tsuke, the anti-hero of the series. Ryunosuke enters the film by cold bloodedly murdering an old man travelling on the Great Buddha Pass. Why does Ryunoskue do this? He likes to kill people. Next, the wife of a samurai competitor comes to see Ryunosuke , begging him to throw their upcoming match, so her husband can rise in the clan. Ryunosuke sexually assaults the woman and deliberately kills her husband in the duel. That is just the type of man he is.
This first entry packs a lot of plot into 105 minutes. In addition to Ryunosuke and the dead samurai's widow, the film features Hyoma, the vengeance seeking brother of the samurai Ryunosuke killed. There is also O-Matsu, the young woman who was travelling with the old man Ryunosuke murdered on The Great Buddha Pass. In addition, the film features some political intrigue involving groups loyal to the shogun and other groups rebelling against the shogun. I do not know much about Japanese history, so some of the intricacies were lost on this viewer. The film certainly has more plot than swordplay and even ends on a cliffhanger in mid-action.
Satan's Sword has two big strengths. First and foremost is Ichikawa Raizo. I have admired the actor ever since I saw him as Kyoshiro Nemuri in the later Sleepy Eyes of Death/Son of the Black Mass movies. Few actors play a smug, anti-hero better. Ryunosuke Tsuke is a horrible person, yet the viewer cannot take his eyes off of him, thanks to Ichikawa Raizo's intense screen presence. The film's second strength is its colorful photography. Director Kenji Misumi has a wonderful eye for color and composition.
The first entry in this Daibosatsu Toge adaptation may seem a little slow for those looking for action. The film features a couple of good swordfights, but it is mostly a drama. However, the film looks nice and Ichikawa Raizo is wonderful.
helpful•20
- jrd_73
- Aug 8, 2020
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Satan's Sword: Great Buddha Pass
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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