Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972)

Trailed by a clan of female ninja, Ogami is paid to assassinate a clan traitor accompanied by three killers known as the Monks of Death.The English title refers to the River Styx, which strictly speaking is not accurate. Instead it should be the Sanzu River, or River of Three Crossings, which is a Japanese Buddhist tradition and religious belief similar to the Greek concept of the River Styx. It is believed that the dead must cross the river on the way to the afterlife, a belief reflected in Japanese funerals when six coins are placed in the casket with the dead. The change is understandable, but unfortunate.Anyway, this ongoing adventure is just great. A samurai assassin with a small child in tow. Not really a baby, but a toddler in a stroller or buggy. Not being familiar with the manga, I think this is a brilliant idea and I am somewhat surprised it has not been remade by an American director.

This probably is the best and most entertaining movies out of all the Kozure Ôkami movies. If you already thought that the first movie was action packed, wait until you see this one.It's not just more action filled or entertaining but it's also a better done film as well. The directing and cinematography and all, all seems better in this movie. There are some great looking and wonderfully done sequences and I'm not even talking about the fight sequences then. The movie is basically non-stop entertaining action in which Ogami Itto takes on more bad guys and gals than ever before. He is still as skilled as ever, so often it doesn't take more than one strike with his sword to kill off his opponent. It doesn't mean the fights are boring though. Far from it really. They are greatly choreographed and very over-the-top. It's amazing, the innovativeness they came up with at times. Of course there also still is plenty of blood in this one, when blood sprays out of every wound that gets inflected in this movie.Great entertaining fun!9/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

I've been watching the TV series (imdb says it was released in 2002, but it looks a lot older than that, don't know if it's just my copy). This is the one directed by Kôjirô Fujioka. I love the writing and casting and, since I haven't seen the films yet, cannot imagine anyone else playing Daigoro with as much charm and quiet grace as Tsubasa Kobayashi. The writing credits still include Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. I know I should've seen the films released beginning 1972 but I didn't know about these until recently. Is there continuity between the film and the series or is it a for-TV remake? Hard to believe this was for TV though--it's got nudity.

This is the second film in the 7 film series based on the Japanese manga series. Even though I'd say the manga series tops it these films hold their own against lots of other films, even today. This film gain takes several aspects of the mnga, plot and other little things thrown in and mixes it up. The result turns out great. The gore in this one tops 'Sword of Vengance' and that is no small task but it is not realistic and made so on purpose. The final duel between Ogami and the Masters of Death is a great one. The head splitting scene sticks out the most I'd say. Or the `Wailing of the Wintery Wind' which was actually called `Flute of the Falling tiger' in the manga. That (for those who haven't seen it) is when Ogami slices a diagonal cut on the 3rd ones neck causing blood to come out and make a whistling sound. In the manga it sprays a bit and he falls dead. However in the film it sprays then he falls and it gushes out. I didn't get why. Another key fight is with the Kurokawa in the forest with his double spear. Also when Diagoro is rolled in the cart and cuts the legs of two of the ninja.that's a good bit.All in all the films can't be compared to the comics. They lack the emotional depth and some other things. But they stand on their own, as great pieces of art.