Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons is the fifth film in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, directed by Kenji Misumi and released in 1973. The film follows the story of Ogami Itto, a samurai who travels Japan with his young son Daigoro as an assassin-for-hire. In this installment of the series, Ogami is challenged by five warriors who each hold a piece of information he needs to complete his next assassination.
The film begins with Ogami and Daigoro traveling through the Japanese countryside when they are ambushed by the warriors. Each warrior is holding one of five wooden sticks, which they use to attack Ogami in turn. Ogami quickly dispatches the first three warriors, but the remaining two prove to be more difficult opponents.
As the fight continues, it becomes clear that the warriors are not just interested in defeating Ogami in battle, but are also after his lucrative assassin fee. They reveal that they have each been hired to kill the same target as Ogami, and are hoping to claim the reward for themselves.
In order to retrieve the information he needs to complete his assassination, Ogami must defeat all five warriors and piece together the clues they hold. Along the way, he is also forced to confront his past as a shogunate executioner and the consequences of his actions.
The film features the same stylish action sequences and graphic violence that have become a hallmark of the Lone Wolf and Cub series. It also explores themes of loyalty, honor, and revenge, as both Ogami and his opponents struggle to achieve their goals in a ruthless world.
Overall, Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons is a thrilling and bloody installment in the series, showcasing the talents of director Kenji Misumi and actor Tomisaburo Wakayama in the lead role of Ogami Itto.
