Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7676 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-02-11
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

Synopsis
Two ill-fated lovers find that they are the leaders of warring clans in this epic, action packed drama set in 17th century Japan.

From The Studio
Oboro (Yukie Nakama), a granddaughter of Ogen (Riri), is the matriarch of the Iga clan. She meets and falls in love with Gennosuke, the son of Danjo Koga (Minoru Terada), the leader of the Koga clan. Living in the remote mountains, these two clans have, over the centuries, perfected the arts of ninjutsu (known as "Shinobi"), which is far beyond the reach of mere mortals. They are also ancestral rivals and, under the order of Hanzo Hattori (Yutaka Matsushige), chief ninja to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, are forbidden to exchange secret techniques.

Seeking to consolidate Tokugawa rule and seeing the two clans as a threat to it, a powerful Tendai priest and Tokugawa adviser, Nankobo Tenkai (Renji Ishibashi), schemes to set them against each other. He commands the two clans to each choose five champions who will battle to the death. The survivor will be elevated in rank and power.

Both Oboro and Gennosuke are selected as champions, but neither are aware, at least initially, of each other's position. Also, Gennosuke doubts the shogunate's good intentions and refuses to take part in the contest. But when his comrades begin to fall, he is forced into action. He cannot, however, bring himself to battle at least one Iga warrior: Oboro...

Customer Reviews

Just Brilliant
Bought this from Japan a while ago, and when I saw it I could not understand why this hadn't yet made it to our shores and blown the Western competition away. Because that's what it does; Hollywood only dreams of making anything a quarter of the quality of this film. Ten Shinobi Ninjas from two secret and mysterious villages are set against each other when the ban on war between the two is lifted, for not entirely genuine reasons. This unleashes the bloodlust and the desire for the fight in them all, except for the two leaders who are involved in a 'Romeo & Juliet' type romance. Typical imaginative and poignant Japanese slaughter ensues. This movie is astounding. The fight scenes are breathtaking, the special effects are astounding, the characters are interesting and performances of a very high standard. The plot does not take second place to aesthetics, and deals deeply with inescapable destiny and sacrifice, doomed love, and much more. You've never seen anything quite like this. See it.

Fantastic
I watched this film with a group made up of mainly guys who were all pretty disappointed with it, especially the guy who had bought an imported version from Japan before it was released in the UK. The few women present loved it and it is one of my favourites.

It's a beautiful and heart breaking love story with martial arts, violence and mythology, but I think it may appeal more to women than men.

brilliant
i saw this film about a year ago on a plane to japan and i've been waiting for the DVD ever since.
Its basically Battle Royale with super ninja, but it does a good job with the awe factor when each ninja unleashes his/her specialty.

a smashing film, go buy it.