What is Sonny Chiba's "Gorilla 7?"

[perfectpawn]

I'd love to know more about Sonny Chiba's "Gorilla 7," which according to imdb.com is a 1975 tv series which starred Chiba AND Etsuko "Sue" Shihomi. No matter of Googling has provided me with any info on it, let alone a DVD source. The only thing I can find is a cover scan of a soundtrack release, which features a cool shot of a leather jacket-wearing Chiba in sunglasses holding a nifty, customized pistol.

So, does anyone know more about this project? Was it really a TV series? Is it known by any other title? Was Shihomi really in it?

[HungFist]

It's a 1975 TV show co-produced by Toei and a few other companies. Ran 26 episodes from April 4 to October 3. Chiba plays the leader of the Gorillas, and a karate expert! Jiro Chiba, Etsuko Shihomi (as Koga ninja descendant) and Isao Natsuyagi co-star. Directors included Yukio Noda, Teruo Ishii, and others.
- http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B6% ... %E3%83%A97

Then the bad news, it hasn't been released on DVD




- http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/jyoudankeri/ ... 009090000/

[perfectpawn]

Thanks for the response! Heck, I'd be happy with a blurry, sourced-from-vhs copy that's not even subtitled! Do copies of the show even circulate on the trade circuit? I've been searching around and can find nothing.

[HungFist]

I don't know about trades, but I don't think this has ever been released on VHS, and while I haven't been looking for any TV recordings, I can't say I've ever come across any either...

[HungFist]

Chiba did a lot of TV work in the mid 70's. He also starred in:

The Bodyguard (1974, 26 episodes, co-starring Etsuko Shihomi and Jiro Chiba)
Moeru Sousamo (燃える捜査網) (1975, 14 episodes, co-starring Etsuko Shihomi and Hayato Tani)
Dai hijousen (大非常線) (1976, 10 episodes, co-starring Etsuko Shihomi and Hayato Tani)

Moeru Sousamo


Soundtrack release for Moeru Sousamo & The Gorilla 7:

[Keung]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUSO1xDNNwI