The Official Sonny Chiba Thread!

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The Official Sonny Chiba Thread!

Post by saltysam »

Last edited by saltysam on 14 Apr 2007, 14:06, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by HungFist »

Last edited by HungFist on 09 Dec 2008, 20:46, edited 8 times in total.
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Post by HungFist »

Japanese Shinichi Chiba films and TV shows available on dvd. Only films till 1992 are listed. List may not be complete. None of the R2J or HK Video releases come with english subtitles

Uchu Kaisoku-sen (Invasion from a Planet) (1961)
- director: Koji Ota
- genre: super hero
- notes:
- forum ratings:
- R2J Toei

Osho (The Gambler) (1962)
- director: Daisuke Ito
- genre: -
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Kaigun (1963)
- director: Shinji Murayama
- genre: navy (?)
- notes: -
- forum ratings:
- R2J Toei

Kimitachi ga Ite Boku ga Ita (1964)
- director: Takamori Ryuuichi (?)
- genre: drama, high school (?)
- notes: -
- forum ratings:
- additional info: here, + Toei’s website (japanese title: 君たちがいて僕がいた )

Ogon Batto (Gold Bat) (1966)
- director: Hajime Sato
- genre: super hero
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Kaitei daisenso (Battle Beneath the Sea) (1966)
- director: Hajime Sato
- genre: scifi (?)
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- Toei R2J

Abashiri Bangaichi - Nangoku no Taiketsu (1966)
- director: Teruo Ishii
- genre: -
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- Toei R2J

Aa Douki no Sakura (1967)
- director: Sadao Nakajima
- genre: ?
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Aa Yokaren (1968)
- director: -
- genre: war
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Furyo Bancho: Inoshika Ocho (1969)
- director: Yukio Noda
- genre: -
- notes:-
- forum ratings: -
- Toei R2J

Judo Icchokusen (TV series) (1969)
- director: -
- genre: -
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- Toei R2J

Saigo no Tokkotai (1970)
- director: Junya Sato
- genre: war, drama
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4,5/5
- R2J Toei

Yakuza Deka (1970)
- director: Yukio Noda
- genre: crime, action, comedy
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R2 Optimum (cut by bbfc, nice transfer)
- R4 Eastern Eye (apparently the same as Optimum, including the cut)

Yakuza Deka: The Assassin (Yakuza deka, marihuana mitsubai soshiki) (1970)
- director: Yukio Noda
- genre: crime, action, comedy
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R2 Optimum (nice transfer)
- R4 Eastern Eye (apparently the same transfer as Optimum)

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima (Jingi naki tatakai: Hiroshima shito hen) (1973)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: Yakuza
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R1 HVE (good transfer)
- R2J Toei

Robot Keiji (Robot Detective) (TV series) (1973)
- director: -
- genre: -
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: -
- more info: http://incolor.inetnebr.com/stuart/rd/
- R2J

Bodyguard, The (Karate Kiba) (1973) (1976 / US Edit)
- director: Takamori Ryuichi
- genre: action
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist:
- R1 BCI (Welcome to the Grindhouse Double Feature)
- Old US releases are bootlegs

The Street Fighter (Gekitotsu! Satsujin ken) (1974)
- director: Shigehiro Ozawa
- genre: action, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2 UK Optimum (Dark, but I've only seen caps)
- R2 HK Video (sharp but too bright and manupulated --> pale faces.)
- R2J Toei (very soft but great colour)
- All US releases are bootlegs

Return of the Street Fighter (Satsujin ken 2) (1974)
- director: Shigehiro Ozawa
- genre: action, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R2 UK Optimum (Looks good, possibly better than HK Video, only seen caps)
- R2 HK Video (sharp but too bright and manipulated --> pale faces. Still good)
- R2J Toei
- All US releases are bootlegs

The Executioner (Chokugeki! Jigoku-ken) (1974)
- director: Teruo Ishii
- genre: action, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3m5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (both feature the same nice transfer)
- R2J Toei

Sister Street Fighter (Onna hissatsu ken) (1974)
- director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
- genre: action, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Ronin Entertainment (otherwise good but way too dark, only seen caps)
- R1 BCI (Welcome To The Grindhouse Double Feature Vol. 3)
- R2J Toei (slight problems with blacks and not 100% natural looking transfer, still very good and definitely the best available for this film)
- R2 HK Video (good but contrast boosted and a bit too bright. Not as good as Toei)

The Street Fighter's Last Revenge (Gyakushû! Satsujin ken) (1974)
- director: Teruo Ishii
- genre: action, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R2 UK Optimum (not excellent but good, better than HK Video)
- R2 HK Video (sharp but too bright and contrast boosted. Ugly blue tint and pale faces.)
- R4 Eastern Eye (apparently the same transfer as Optimum)
- All US releases are bootlegs

Executioner 2: Karate Inferno (Chokugeki jigoku-ken: Dai-gyakuten) (1974)
- director: Teruo Ishii
- genre: action, comedy, martial arts (modern day)
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (both feature the same nice transfer)
- R2J Toei (September 2007)

The Killing Machine (Shorinji kenpo) (1975)
- director: Norifumi Suzuki
- genre: martial arts
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (same transfer, new reddish image)
- R2 Optimum (original green colour palette, probably a better transfer than the R1’s)
- R2 HK Video (may suffer from the same problems as the Street Fighter dvds)
- R4 Eastern Eye (should be the same as Optimum)
- R2J Toei

Karate Bullfighter (Kenka karate kyokushinken) (1975)
- director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
- genre: martial arts
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (same transfer. Good but clearly boosted)
- R2J Toei

Bullet Train (Shinkansen daibakuha) (1975)
- director: Junya Sato
- genre: thriller, action
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: -
- R1 Ronin Entertainment (Eglish dubbed short version, transfer may not be the best)
- R2 Optimum (NTSC to PAL, japanese cut)
- R2J Toei (both versions available, short version apparently english dubbed only)
- R3 IVL (should be a Toei port, japanese cut)
- R4 Eastern Eye (should be the same as Optimum)

Karate Warriors (Kozure satsujin ken) (1976)
- director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
- genre: martial arts
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist:
- R1 BCI (Welcome To The Grindhouse Double Feature Vol. 4)
- Old US releases are bootlegs

Dragon Princess (Hissatsu onna kenshi) (1976)
- director: Hiroshi Kohira
- genre: martial arts
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2J Toei (good but very soft transfer)
- R1 BCI (Welcome To The Grindhouse Double Feature Vol. 4)
- Old US releases are bootlegs

Karate Bearfighter (Kyokuskin kenka karate burai ken) (1977)
- director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
- genre: martial arts
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (same transfer on both. Good but clearly boosted)
- R2J Toei

Soul of Chiba (Soul of Bruce Lee) (Gekisatsu! Judo Ken) (1977 / 1973)
- director: Yukio Noda
- genre: action, martial arts
- notes: lead role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2 DE NEW (eng / ger dubbed version, anamorphic 1:78:1 transfer)
- R1 US Rarescope (eng version 1:78:1, jp version 1.66:1. Both non anamorphic)

Truck Yaro: Dokyo ichiban-boshi (1977)
- director: Norifumi Suzuki
- genre: drama, comedy, action
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- Toei R2J (excellent transfer)

Golgo 13 Kowloon Assignment (Golgo 13: Kuron no kubi) (1977)
- director: Yukio Noda
- genre: action
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R1 Ronin Entertainment (pretty decent but dark and reddish dark)
- R2 Optimum (more print damage but much more natural image)
- R4 Eastern Eye (should be the same as Optimum)
- R2J Toei

Hokuriku dairi senso (Proxy War in Hokuriku) (1977)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: yakuza
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: -
- Toei R2J

Doberman Detective (Doberman Deka) (1977)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: yakuza
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- Toei R2J

Karate for Life (Karate baka ichidai) (1977)
- director: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
- genre: martial arts
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R1 Adness (heavy ghosting)

The Yagyu Conspiracy (Shogun’s Samurai) (Yagyu ichizoku no inbo) (1978)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: samurai, drama
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (same good transfer)
- R2 Eureka (about the same quality as the R1)
- R2 HK Video
- R2J Toei

Message from Space (Uchu kara no messeji) (1978)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre:
- notes:
- forum ratings:
- R2J Toei

The Fall of Ako Castle (Swords of Vengeance) (Ako-Jo danzetsu) (1978)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: samurai, drama
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertainment (very soft, otherwise good. Possibly a R2J port)
- R2J Toei

Hunter in the Dark (Yami no karyudo) (1979)
- director: Hideo Gosha
- genre: samurai
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2J Shochiku (pale)
- R2 HK Video (manipulated look)
- R3 Panorama (should be crap)

Resurrection of the Golden Wolf (Yomigaeru kinro) (1979)
- director: Toru Murakawa
- genre: crime
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4,5/5
- R1 Adness (pretty good transfer. R2J port)
- R2J Kadokawa (all releases have the same transfer, inc. both box sets)
- R3 IVL (R2J port, but most likely a dvd-5)

G.I. Samurai (Sengoku jieitai) (1979)
- director: Mitsumasa Saito
- genre: war, action
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3,5/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertaiment (old transfer)
- R1 BCI 2 Disc Edition (probably R2J SE port)
- R2J Kadokawa (all single disc releases feature the old transfer, possibly a bit sharper than the R1) (low priced edition in July)
- R2J Kadokawa 2 Disc SE (new HD sourced transfer, far superior to the old (also in the double pack with the remake)
- R2 Optimum (new Kadokawa transfer. NTSC to PAL, worse compression, cut)
- R3 IVL (most likely a dvd-5, probably the old transfer)

Shadow Warriors (Hattori Hanzo: Kage no Gundan) (1980) (TV Series / season 1)
- director: -
- genre: period drama, action, martial arts, ninja
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings: -
- R1 Ronin Entertainment (dark but okay)
- R2J Toei (looks similiar except that has much better brightness)

Shadow Warriors (Hattori Hanzo: Kage no Gundan) (1981) (TV Series / season 2)
- director: -
- genre: period drama, action, martial arts, ninja
- notes:
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Virus: Day of Resurrection (Fukkatsu no hi) (1980)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: disaster
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4,5/5
- R1 Ronin Entertainment (excellent although interlaced transfer, most likely a R2J port. Japanese cut)
- R2 UK Moonstone Pictures (international cut, missing almost 50 minutes of footage!!!)
- R2J Kadokawa (both versions)

Shogun's Ninja (Ninja bugeicho momochi sandayu) (1980)
- director: Norifumi Suzuki
- genre: martial arts, ninja
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertaiment (good transfer)
- R2 HK Video
- R2J Toei

Roaring Fire (Hoero! Tekken) (1981)
- director: Norifumi Suzuki
- genre: martial arts, action, comedy
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2J Toei

The Kamikaze Adventurers (Bôkensha kamikaze) (1981)
- director: Tatsuichi Takamori
- genre:
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings:
- R2J Toei

Samurai Reincarnation (Makai tensho) (1981)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: samurai, fantasy
- notes: leading role
- forum ratings:
- R1 Media Blasters (the disc was first reported to be missing a scene, later someone actually found it from the disc, it just didn’t play)
- R2J Toei
- R3 IVL (Toei port. Poor black levels)

Fall Guy (Kamata koshin-kyoku) (1982)
- director: Kinji Kukasaku
- genre: comedy (?)
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: -
- R1 HVE
- R2J Shochiku (also HD)

Ninja Wars (Black Magic Wars) (Iga ninpocho) (1982)
- director: Mitsumasa Saito
- genre: martial arts, ninja, fantasy
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertaiment (good interlaced transfer, apparently a R2J port with some possible slight further remastering)
- R2J Kadokawa
- R2 UK Adness (NTSC to PAL)
- R3 IVL (R2J port, dvd-5, poor compression)

Legend of the Eight Samurai (Satomi hakkenden) (1983)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: samurai, fantasy, adventure
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertaiment (good interlaced transfer, apparently a R2J port)
- R2 UK Adness (NTSC to PAL)
- R2J Kadokawa
- R2 HK Video

Saigo no Bakuto (1985)
- director: Kousaku Yamashita
- genre: yakuza (?)
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Cabaret (Kyabare) (1986)
- director: Haruki Kadokawa
- genre: drama, music
- notes: cameo
- forum ratings: HungFist: 3/5
- R2J Kadokawa (low priced edition in July)

Sure Death Revenge (Hissatsu 4: Urami harashimasu) (1987)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: samurai
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: 2,5/5
- R1 Media Blasters (full screen)
- R2J Shochiku (good transfer, better than UK)
- R2 Artsmagic (NTSC to PAL. Otherwise decent)

Taikoki (1987) (TV series)
- director: Kihachi Okamoto
- genre: period drama
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J

Ieyasu Tokunaga (1988) (TV series)
- director: Yasuo Furuhata
- genre: period drama
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J

Nobunaga Oda (1989) (TV series)
- director: Sadao Nakajima
- genre: -
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J

Shogun's Shadow (Shôgun Iemitsu no ranshin – Gekitotsu) (1989)
- director: Yasuo Furuhata
- genre: samurai, action, adventure
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R1 Adness and Ronin Entertaiment (good transfer)
- R2 HK Video
- R2J Toei

Shingen Takeda (TV series) (1990)
- director: Sadao Nakajima
- genre: period drama
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J

Gokudo Senso Butoha (1991)
- director: Sadao Nakajima
- genre: yakuza (?)
- notes: -
- forum ratings: -
- R2J Toei

Double Cross (Triple Cross) (Itsuka giragirasuruhi) (1992)
- director: Kinji Fukasaku
- genre: yakuza, action
- notes: supporting role
- forum ratings: HungFist: 4/5
- R2J Shochiku (average quality)
- R2 UK MIA (sucks apparently)
- R3 Panorama (sucks apparently)
Last edited by HungFist on 09 Dec 2008, 20:26, edited 6 times in total.
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Post by saltysam »

looks cool 8)
working class blu-ray fan
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Post by HungFist »

posted on Mar 15, 2007 (re-arranging posts)

Ronin Ent. web site is finally functional:
http://www.roninentertainment.com/?page=home

Image
1235 minutes of Chiba. Not a bad way to spend 45$ (or 72 if you want to use amazon)

To get the hype up, a few scans of japanese Kage no gundan cms

Image

Image
(click for full size)

_______________________________________________________

April 4, 2007 post

My copy was dispatched today (pacific), two weeks before the official release date.

Review from a less than reliable source: http://10kbullets.com/reviews/shadow-warriors

Picture quality looks poor but I can afford the Toei box set. It costs 40 000 yen 8)
Last edited by HungFist on 23 Apr 2007, 13:52, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by HungFist »

Received my copy today. Nice looking cardboard box set with four slim cases inside. Each slim case includes 2 discs (dual sided dvd-5's, with two episodes per side) except the last one which includes one disc + a small booklet. The last disc also comes with a recent 16 minute Shinichi Chiba interview (in japanese, looks like it was recorded at the Toei studios just before their dvd release).

Picture quality is poor but like I said, Toei is out of question thanks to their 40 000 yen price. That's a shame because Toei probably did better job with the transfers.

Sam, do you mind if I turn this into an official "Sonny Chiba" thread?
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Post by Shingster »

I'd start a new thread Hung, that way you can update the title whenever you cover something new. The only posts in this thread that need copying over are your 2nd and last posts.
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Post by HungFist »

Please delete
Last edited by HungFist on 15 Jan 2010, 13:34, edited 1 time in total.
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Um...

Post by Linn »

HungFist wrote:Picture quality is poor but like I said, Toei is out of question thanks to their 40 000 yen price. That's a shame because Toei probably did better job with the transfers.
Considering this is an old TV series, I can't say the quality is poor. It looks like a TV series from 25+ years ago. And I'd be VERY surprised if Toei didn't do the transfer for BCI. Toei is not in the habit of letting others do their own masters of their properties.
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Post by gojensen »

Any screen comparisons between the Toei and this around then? But more importantly, did the Toei feature English subs?
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
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Re: Um...

Post by Shingster »

Linn wrote:
HungFist wrote:Picture quality is poor but like I said, Toei is out of question thanks to their 40 000 yen price. That's a shame because Toei probably did better job with the transfers.
Considering this is an old TV series, I can't say the quality is poor. It looks like a TV series from 25+ years ago. And I'd be VERY surprised if Toei didn't do the transfer for BCI. Toei is not in the habit of letting others do their own masters of their properties.
Aye, can't say for sure coz the only grabs I've seen are from the love and bullets review, but the grabs look pretty much how they should for a Japanese TV period drama from 1980. Heck, the period dramas broadcast today don't look much better! :D
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Re: Um...

Post by HungFist »

Linn wrote: Toei is not in the habit of letting others do their own masters of their properties.
What makes you say so? Ronin's Sister Street Fighter transfer was far inferior to Toei's. HK Video transfer was also worse than Toei. The head of Ronin, Cliff Mac, even said he hasn't seen the Toei dvd and doesn't know how it looks like. H elso said that they may not be able to get original japanese versions for their upcoming Chiba releases (Dragon Princess, The Bodyquard, Karate Warriors)...

They did a lot of Kadokawa ports though (with possibly some slight further remastering).

I haven't been able to find any Toei caps, but the Ronin transfer doesn't look like it was "remastered from a new print" to me *. But the interview on the last disc definitely comes from Toei...

And no subs on Toei. Toei never includes subtitles in any language (except japanese if there's non-japanese dialogue).

Edit: * a lot of work has obviously been put to this release, no complaints about the remastering. It's just that I'm not 100% convinced they had the best source material... maybe they did, idk.
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Post by HungFist »

I just watched the second episode and the transfer was notably better than the first. The episode co-stars Yasuaki Kurata

Screencaptures

Menu
Image

Episode 1
Image

Image

Episode 2
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Toei's website has a nice 30 second TV spot for the series: http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/kagenogundan.html

I'm working on a huge list of Chiba films available on dvd. I'll try to list all R2J's as well although I may miss some by accident. I'll put it to the beginning of this topic once it's about ready.
Last edited by HungFist on 15 Jan 2010, 13:34, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by HungFist »

Please delete
Last edited by HungFist on 15 Jan 2010, 13:35, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Shingster »

They look pretty good to me Hung, it would've been shot on video IIRC so wouldn't look as polished as the Chiba feature films.
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Post by Yi-Long »

Talking if Chiba, he's in episode 3 or 4 (I think it was 4) of this season's Japanorama, by Jonathan Ross.
I've downloaded the 4 episoded of this season from a bij bittorrent site, so I'm sure you guys can find it if you wish to do so. Plus BBC also seems to put lots of stuff on youtube nowadays, so it's probably there as well.

It's an interview with guy, btw, and it's about his Streetfighter movie(s), plus I also saw clips of other stuff he's been in. Just glanced through the episode btw, so I cant go into much detail.
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Re: Um...

Post by Linn »

HungFist wrote:What makes you say so?
Because most Japanese companies don't allow their masters to be remastered by an outside team. The main reason has long been to keep the Japanese releases the best because they are afraid of fans importing the US discs. This is a standing problem with Japanese companines actually and I don't see it ever changing. When fans complain about these releases, it's something I rarely see mentioned.
HungFist wrote:Ronin's Sister Street Fighter transfer was far inferior to Toei's. HK Video transfer was also worse than Toei. The head of Ronin, Cliff Mac, even said he hasn't seen the Toei dvd and doesn't know how it looks like.
See the above. It's not suprising at all that they don't look as good as Toei's. That said, I've seen comparisons that make some of the films appear better.
HungFist wrote:He also said that they may not be able to get original japanese versions for their upcoming Chiba releases (Dragon Princess, The Bodyquard, Karate Warriors)...
We frequent the same boards it seems. :) So you should also know it had nothing to do with them not wanting to get the originals.
HungFist wrote:I haven't been able to find any Toei caps, but the Ronin transfer doesn't look like it was "remastered from a new print" to me *. But the interview on the last disc definitely comes from Toei...
Considering that these are TV shows made on far cheaper stock than the films, I don't know how you can expect "perfect" transfers. But to each their own.
HungFist wrote:And no subs on Toei. Toei never includes subtitles in any language (except japanese if there's non-japanese dialogue).
LOL, I'm well aware. But that's the work of the company who licenses the release, not Toei.
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Re: Um...

Post by HungFist »

Linn wrote:
HungFist wrote:What makes you say so?
Because most Japanese companies don't allow their masters to be remastered by an outside team.
I don't totally agree on this. Too many times I've had to buy a R2J because all the other dvds (excluding the korean release if such exists) were far inferior . Kadokawa and Toei would be exceptions, their dvds/transfers are very often ported...that being said, half of my japanese films seem to be Toei or Kadokawa films, lol.
Linn wrote:
HungFist wrote:He also said that they may not be able to get original japanese versions for their upcoming Chiba releases (Dragon Princess, The Bodyquard, Karate Warriors)...
We frequent the same boards it seems. :) So you should also know it had nothing to do with them not wanting to get the originals.
Actually I can't remember anything but him saying they may not be able to get the originals... What else did he say?
Linn wrote:
HungFist wrote:And no subs on Toei. Toei never includes subtitles in any language (except japanese if there's non-japanese dialogue).
LOL, I'm well aware.
I know, that was an answer to gojensen's guestion.
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Post by HungFist »

dvdrama review for the Shogun box set
http://www.dvdrama.com/fiche.php?7906&mode=menu&pm=40

If those caps are correct then this is another skip. HK Video just can't do transfers for Japanese films.

Those films in the Shogun box set are all excellent btw. Or at least two of them are. I'm not a huge fan of slow paced jidai geki and I recall giving Shogun's Samurai "only" 3,5/5 back when I saw it years ago. Generally it's considered very, very good. I need to watch it again some day. There's a killer cast including Chiba, Sanada, Shihomi, Tamba etc. I will post a comparison between R2 UK and R1 Adness/Ronin some day. I took caps from the R2 disc before I sold it but never bothered to finish the comparison.

Shogun's Ninja is a Norifumi Suzuki film but surprisinly not a very recognizable one. Suzuki's films usually have excellent soundtracks but the jazz track here may drive some people crazy. It's kinda fun once you get used to it. The film is visually good looking but not nearly as arty as Sex & Fury or Convent of the Sacred Beast. The opening scene with the two ninjas standing on Chiba's shoulders is magical though. Hiroyuki Sanada is the main star here and does lots of HK style martial arts. Etsuko Shihomi also appears in a few scenes and fights with double nunchakus at the end. Excellent film overall.

Shogun's Shadow I expected to be slow jidai geki but it turned out to be a very entertaining and fast paced adventure film. In facts it one of my favourite chambara films alongside Lone Wolf and Cub series and Teruo Ishii's Porno Jidaigeki - Bohachi Bushido. The ending drags but the rest is excellent. The sword fights choreographed by Chiba are pretty good and there’s some nice old school stunts. Comes with a great 80’s pop soundtrack. Ken Ogata stars and Chiba plays the villain.

Instead of HK Video box set I recommend getting the R1 Ronin Entertainment box set. It's ridiculously cheap (under 20$) and comes with four films, all direct ports of the old Adness remasters (Ronin did proped dvd-9's, in case you were wondering). There's not too much to complain. Shogun's Ninja looks a bit blue and boosted at times, perfect at others. Maybe the boosting was intentional??? Shogun's Shadow looks maybe a bit colourless and soft but it's also very natural so I'm happy with the transfer. Both transfers are progressive. Shogun's Samurai dvd I haven't fully watched yet but it looks good. The last film in the box set, a very entertaining jidai geki epic Swords of Vengeance aka The Fall of Ako Castle (which is not included in the HK Video box set), has an interlaced transfer that is also rather soft (for some reason it doesn’t look that soft in the caps). The film is directed by Kinji Fukasaku and Chiba once again plays a supporting role.

My ratings for the films
Shogun's Samurai: 3,5/5 (old rating, need to see the film again)
Shogun's Ninja: 4/5
Shogun's Shadow: 4/5
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Swords of Vengeance: 3,5/5

The films aren't related in any way, btw.

Below are screencaps for the first three films (Ronin dvds). I’ll do comparison for Shogun’s Samurai later.

Shogun’s Ninja
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Shogun’s Shadow
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Swords of Vengeance
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edit: moved the post from page two to here (too many pics on page two)
Last edited by HungFist on 20 May 2007, 08:17, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Shingster »

How come the 1992 cut off? Still researching the rest?
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Post by HungFist »

Shingster wrote:How come the 1992 cut off? Still researching the rest?
No, he goes to US after that... and then there's worthless japanese films like Survive Style 5+... Besides, I don't think people need much info on his recent film releases anyway. The idea was to list unknown early works + his golden age available on dvd.

For 92, I though Fukasaku's Triple Cross (which is supposed to be mind blowing) would be a good way to end the list.
(kinda like doing a Jackie Chan list and cutting off at Drunken Master 2)

If someone wants to complete the list go ahead.

EDIT: we're on page 2 now, good, there's stuff I wanted to post but the first page was long enough already...
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Post by HungFist »

Interesting that Toei has released lots of Chiba's early works while the films he's most famous for in the West are given much less attention (so far at least). But for a fan like me it's an ideal situation as Chiba's best known films are bound to get a US release sooner or later (most of them already being available) and the less known "japanese classics" that will be ignored by western companies forever getting a Toei release.

5 Toei Chiba releases will receive a low priced (3000/3150 yen) limited edition (three months period) in June 2007. Bullet Train and Samurai Reincarnation are kinda useless to international customers as IVL already released direct ports with english subs and much lower price (should be dvd-9's too) but I'm thinking about giving at least one of the other three a try. The films that will be re-released are:

Aa Douki no Sakura (1967)
Aa Yokaren (1968)
Saigo no Tokkotai (1970)
+
Bullet Train (Shinkansen daibakuha) (1975)
Samurai Reincarnation (Makai tensho) (1981)
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Post by HungFist »

Toei released five Furyo Bancho (不良番長) films on dvd last month. Could be interesting. Four of them are directed by Yukio Noda (Yakuza Deka, Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs). Chiba appears in the second (?) instalment, Furyo Bancho Inoshika Ocho (1969). That part also features Bunta Sugawara. Familiar cast is always a good thing when you blind buy Toei's without subs. There's a big bunch of sequels too, I'm sure they'll get released at a later date

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(Furyo Bancho Inoshika Ocho) (不良番長 猪の鹿お蝶)

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(Furyo Bancho Renkan Blues) (不良番長 練鑑ブルース)

more info (in japanese):
http://www12.ocn.ne.jp/~nacky/furyo/furyo00.html
http://binitan.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JapanA ... ntyou1.htm

cdjapan link:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search.html?ty ... ryo+bancho
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Post by Shingster »

I'd hardly call films like Deadly Outlaw Rekka and Survive Style 5+ as "worthless" considering how many people within the online asian film fan community that seem to like them (not seen SS5+ myself yet).
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Post by HungFist »

funny you bring that up while I'm typing:

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”Sonny Chiba meets Yasuaki Kurata... in Master of Thunder!” Sound pretty cool doesn’t it? The problem is that it doesn’t look nearly as good. Some high school kinds acting like they can do karate, time traveling, CGI, more fantantasy stuff. Man, why can’t it just be Chiba vs. Kurata, mano a mano???

But, it’s Chiba and Kurata so maybe it’s not that bad. In fact the concept could lead to something very good and stupid in the right way (like Miike’s excellent Yokai daisenso) but I’m still not sure I want take the risk (remember the R2J prices). Btw, when was the last time Shinichi and Yasuaki met in a movie? The Executioner? They were on same side in that film, and their characters never met in Dragon Princess (one of my favourite karate films). They did meet on TV in Kage no gundan where they also fought each other

The R2J is out (listed as ’Legend Of Seven Monks’ at cdjapan) and the official site can be found here: http://www.m-thunder.com/ (the trailer is the third one from the left)
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Ah fuck, forget anything negative I just said. Look at these pics

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Sweet, sweet, nice, sweet, cool (that’s Chiba’s pic) and double cool

That's Ayumi Kinoshita in the first pic, btw.
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7813/aykinopw8.jpg
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/4470/aykino1arj1.jpg
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9640/aykino121kb6.jpg

Born: 13 December 1982 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Profession: Actress & model
Height: 162cm
Measurements: 81cm 58cm 83cm

Now, who doesn’t want to see her kick ass?
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uhmm... got distracted for a second (for understandable reasons :D ). Chiba and Kurata is still the main attraction. Consider Ayumi bonus value. The movie probably sucks anyway.
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