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Shogun's Shadow Actor: Sonny Chiba Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 111 minutes Studio: Ventura Distribution Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2005-07-05 Buy from Amazon

From Description An order is given to the young shogun heir, Tachechiyo to embark on a journey to Edo to participate in an initiation ritual that will mark his passage to manhood. Seven samurai headed by master swordsman Igo Gyobu (Ken Ogata), are charged with the task of delivering him safely to his destination. Along their journey they must combat an advancing army under the command of Iba Shoemon (Sonny Chiba), a vassal of the Shogun. The seven samurai must fight to the death to get Tachechiyo to Edo. Amazing action sequences choreographed by Chiba’s Japan Action Club.

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.0 "terrible..." the film starts out ok, as a saturday-morning action flick which is decent. unfortunately about halfway through the film i guess they said the heck with it and just went full-blown into full-on cheesiness. horrible pop music, horrible special effects, really it goes from an average period/action film to just unwatchable. first half of movie- 2 and a half stars second half- 0 stars "Excellent!!!" Originally titled "Geki Totsu: The Insanity of Emperor Iemitsu Gekitosu", "Shogun's Shadow" is a non-stop action film featuring Kyokushinkai master Sonny Chiba. This film is based on the true story of a shogun who sends his army, led by an assassin (played by Chiba), to kill his eldest son and make way for his younger son to be the next shogun. Ogata Ken is the hero who leads a band of renegade ronin who escort the shogun's son to a meeting at Edo castle. His swordsmanship is a certainly match for Chiba's and the duel between them is very exciting to watch. Both are quick and skillful. The incorporation of Chinese martial arts in this Japanese film adds another dimension, thanks to Hu Jianqiang, who plays the mute guide. A former all-around national champion of China, Hu also did some of the choreography, performed by members of Chiba's Japan Action Club. Generally, Japanese martial artists don't have much respect for Chinese martial artists, but Hu is an exception and is highly regarded by the Japanese martial arts community because of his strong gongfu. As in most Asian martial arts films from the 70's and 80's, the cast performed their own stunts; some of them quite death-defying. This film is probably not good for children as several horses are injured and possible killed during the making of it.