Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Legend of the Eight Samurai Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 19, 2025

There have been several well documented "packaging" efforts in Hollywood on the parts of studios and probably especially agents and managers to put together a deal often based on little more than a concept (high or otherwise), but with marquee stars attached, making the entire property salable. Something at least a little similar may have been afoot with Legend of the Eight Samurai, a film which some of the supplements on this disc mention owes more than a tip o' the light saber to a little film called Star Wars, and which had the added allure of featuring (just barely still a) teen idol Hiroko Yakushimaru in a starring role, along with then relative newcomer Hiroyuki Sanada as this film's veritable Leia and Luke. The film was a massive success in Japan in its day, ending up as the top grossing film in that nation in 1984, but it has often been derided by Asian film fans, perhaps especially by those who saw Sonny Chiba among the cast list and expected him to be the star (he plays a supporting character). Whether or not part of this latter day derision is based on a perception of the whole "packaging" angle may be debatable, but one way or the other Legend of the Eight Samurai, for all of its "pre fab" ambience, actually has its own literary imprimatur divorced from any American film influence, a 19th century tome called Nansō Satomi Hakkenden which rather incredibly was published in pamphlet and/or booklet form over the course of almost thirty years.

Princess Shizu (Hiroko Yakushimaru) is the sole survivor of the Satomi Clan, who have been decimated by their nefarious black magic nemeses the Hikita Clan. Shizu unfortunately has no "help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope" moment, and in fact when help does arrive, it may not exactly be all that helpful, at least in the form of Shinbei (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is a trickster sort who kind of reminded of me the Sabu character in either The Thief of Bagdad* or even Jungle Book. Shizu is also not especially receptive to Shinbei in any case, which makes the arrival of two mysterious strangers (including one played by Sonny Chiba) perhaps a bit more welcome, something that becomes even more appreciated when it turns out the duo is just part of a larger aggregation of so-called "Dog Warriors" who are tasked with protecting Shizu.

This broad outline barely hints at some of the gonzo proceedings Legend of the Eight Samurai offers, including some angst inducing moments with chief baddie Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki), who requires regular (literal) blood baths to keep her youthful. There are also plot machinations which frankly may remind some of the much later quests to find horcruxes in the Harry Potter franchise, as Shizu and her retinue battle both supernatural beings and good old fashioned human combatants. Some of the supplements mention how director Kinji Fukasaku may not have been overly thrilled with having Yakushimaru "pre delivered" to him in a role at least somewhat different from her previous characterizations, and if Yakushimura is frankly not always consistently compelling, a lot of the surrounding performances are a lot of fun and the film has its own goofy if sometimes wobbly energy.

*The link points to a Region B release.

Legend of the Eight Samurai Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Legend of the Eight Samurai is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka! Entertainment's Masters of Cinema imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. For all the care they typically put into their releases, Eureka! just doesn't seem to offer much technical information, and that's once again the case here, with only their standard "viewing notes" and calibration advice in their insert booklet, though at least with a "4K restoration" descriptor offered several times on the packaging. With an understanding that the film has some old school composited effects and a lot of dimly lit material, both of which may tend to exaggerate an already pretty gritty looking grain field which can admittedly mask fine detail at times, this is a really nice looking presentation. In better lit moments and in an absence of any special effects, detail levels are typically great looking, and the palette pops quite well, especially with regard to some of the greens and blues which are frequently part of the production design. Some of the blue graded material involving the villains can look a bit splotchy. There's no real age related wear and tear of any major import.

Legend of the Eight Samurai Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Legend of the Eight Samurai offers the original Japanese soundtrack in either LPCM 2.0 or DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. A pretty lamentable English dub is also available in LPCM 2.0. The two Japanese tracks offer secure fidelity, and the surround track nicely opens up the many effects sequences where foley and other sound effects are quite noticeably placed in the side and rear channels. There are a number of nicely accomplished moments of sound design, including a calamitous battle with what might be termed a Ray Harryhausen mutant centipede. The score, which is kind of hilariously eighties, including power ballads sung by American John O'Banion, sounds vibrant. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Legend of the Eight Samurai Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary by Joe Hickinbottom


• Always Looking for the New (HD; 24:57) is an interesting new interview with Kenta Fukasaku, son of Kinji Fukasaku. Subtitled in English.


• Trials of the Eight Samurai (HD; 15:47) is an overview by Stuart Galbraith.


• Trailer (HD; 2:24)

Additionally this limited edition sports an O card slipcase featuring new artwork by Chril Malbon, along with a nicely appointed insert booklet featuring an essay by Tom Mes.

Legend of the Eight Samurai Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Legend of the Eight Samurai probably is too padded for its own good (with a running time approaching two and a half hours), and it has to be admitted that some of the "special effects" are probably less than convincing. The performances, especially a probably miscast Yakushimaru, can be variant, but the film has its own decidedly gonzo ambience. Technical merits are solid and the supplements very enjoyable, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.