Adventure,Action
Japan,United States of America
Shogun Assassin is a 1980 cult classic samurai film directed by Robert Houston. The film serves as a compilation of the first two entries in the Lone Wolf and Cub series of Japanese samurai films, Sword of Vengeance (1972) and Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972).
The plot revolves around a powerful Shogun who grows paranoid as he ages and becomes increasingly senile. He orders his ninjas to hunt down his loyal samurai, who he fears may turn against him. The samurai's wife is killed in the process, leaving the samurai to travel across the countryside with his young son seeking revenge.
Along the way, the samurai must fight off a variety of deadly enemies. The duo face off against mercenaries, bandits, and rival samurais while making their way towards the Shogun's palace.
Throughout the film, the samurai's son is his constant companion and travels alongside him in a wooden baby cart, which the two use as a clever way to hide their weapons. The movie's unique blend of violence and melodrama is notable for its graphic depictions of violence, including over-the-top sword fights and rivers of blood.
Shogun Assassin has become a cult classic in the years since its original release, inspiring numerous homages and remixes, including the popular hip-hop album Liquid Swords by Wu-Tang Clan member GZA.
