13 Assassins [Blu-ray]

I have been a huge fan of martial art movies of all kinds, but I especially love Samurai movies and I have bought numerous ones in the past. My favorite Samurai movie is the Lone Wolf and Cub entire series, which I have seen most of them. I also liked the Seven Samurai and numerous other Japanese martial art movies. I am happy to have purchased this classic, 13 Assassins, a film by the famous Takashi Miike. Like many of the Japanese Samurai themes, this one has to do with honor and revenge. This DVD is about a ruthless and heartless lord and a group of special Samurai who are willing to do whatever necessary to kill this sadistic lord who would plunge the country into ruin if he ascends to the throne. The beginning was a little slow but the final battle scene is long and bloody. Amazingly, in spite of having tremendous odds against the elite band of Samurai, they fight on until the end. If you love classic Samurai movies, this is one you should check out. This DVD also has an interview with the director Takashi Miike and some great deleted scenes. A very entertaining movie about a group of dedicated Samurai as they follow the "Code of Bushido." Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior's poetic tribute).

I've seen the mixed reviews about this movie and let me tell you, if you enjoy movies about the samurai code of honor, or even just a good action flick you will enjoy this. I watched it with the subtitles on because I find they are much more accurate than when a movie is dubbed plus it just feels wrong when you know the voices and words don't match the actors. I was impressed that despite all the action being at the end of the movie I never once felt the movie dragged on and I even laughed during some parts. You get a sense of these handful of true samurai and how they struggle with their role in a time of peace that they are no longer called upon to lay down their lives and die for a cause which they believe they were born to do. For them its the feeling of a useless existence, and this opportunity tests their resolve to be true warriors in a time where so many just acted a role. As a martial artist I was also pleased to see these men really knew and were practiced at what was shown, even if they only trained for what would be on camera they trained it like a warrior would and it looks flawless. I'm pleased that one of my students recommended it to me and I am doing the same to all of you!

Best Samurai movie I have ever seen. I have been a fan of the old black & white Japanese movies since I was a kid; but I never could understand why the good guys had to die, or why everyone had to dye in the end. This movie puts the reasoning behind the story out there in a way that I can understand. It has culture, a love-story, comedy, drama, tragedy, courage, sacrifice, loyalty, honor and more action than I have ever seen. Japanese movies are famous for their gore and this one does not disappoint. If you can't stand blood and guts, truely evil bad guys, and mutilation, then do not watch this movie. I liked this movie because of its reality. There is no flying through the sky or jumping over lakes or making daggers go in boomerang trajectories. All the action is believable and the actors look like they are doing all their own stunts. I have already watched it twice and plan to watch it again. Very, very well-done Japanese Samurai Warior movie.

Having been weaned on period films like "Seven Samurai," "Ran," and "Yojimbo," I did not expect too much with this film ... but having seen Miike's "Blade of the Immortal" (I give that 4 stars) plus a coworker's recommendation, I rented this film then purchased it. THIS IS A WONDERFUL MOVIE!! I particularly enjoy period films that reflect the ideals of bushido and this one definitely delivers! The last segment consists of ca. 50 mins. of intense fighting and bears rewatching a number of times.The actors are very dedicated, the cinematography is very good and the film is quite rewarding and holds its own. Some surprises exist along the way. My recommendation is to watch the Miike interview on the bonus disc which reveals some insights on what the director hoped to achieve while making the film and what he left open to the viewer's interpretation.

DVD arrived quickly and well wrapped. The movie , for me, had too much swordplay and fighting but the plot wasn’t very deep.

When I saw a trailer for this film on Youtube, I just had to get it. It had a great plot, awesome fight scenes/action,directing,and actors. Even if they're not well known in America, anyway Japanese cult film director Takashi Miike. Has introduced to Japan and the world, an amazing piece of cinematic gold. This movie is one of the best Japanese chambara (sword fighting) action films. That you will EVER see, it's about a group of samurai warriors. Who are tasked with the job, of assassinating a despicable feudal lord. During the end of Japan's warring states period. If he is not immediately taken out, before he ascends to the throne. He will plunge the entire country into a war torn future. Even though said feudal lord had 200 samurai backing him up, it still didn't save him from his ultimate comeuppance. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest that you buy this dvd. Fire up your dvd/blu-ray player, and park your butt on that couch or easy chair. And get ready for some action samurai style!!!!

As movie goers should know, this is a re-making of a classic film -- as well as a classic them. Director Miike does an excellent job to draw the viewer into a world of evil while slowing building our expectations of redemption. Couldn't ask for better acting, editing or action. "Culminates" (for about an hour) with a non-stop release of our avenging expectations. Watch on as big a screen and highest quality audio as possible.

First off, this movie is not for the weak stomached. There are a few scenes that could cause someone's stomach to turn. But if you have seen any other Takashi Miike, then you know what to expect. This is probably my favorite film by him. It really mixes the themes of a spaghetti western while keeping with a true samurai film. As I was watching it, I kept feeling like I was watching a Leone film where he used a Japanese pre-Meiji era backdrop and instead of cowboys on horses, he used samurai. It is a truly remarkable film. The movie isn't all hack and slash. As the movie moves through the story, you are introduced to different characters where you will fall in love with some, feel pity for others, and loathe the rest. The film has amazing costumes and cinematography is stunning. The movie ends after an extremely long battle. The fight sequence alone is worth it to pick up this movie. However, with everything else along with it, makes it an overall great film.

Jammer, maar er zitten alleen Japanse en Duitse talen bij (geen Engels en/of Nederlands)... dat verwacht je niet voor een levering in Nederland en op een Blu-Ray...

Wer sich für die Geschichte der Samurei und deren Untergang interessiert ist bei Takashi Miike genau richtig ! THEMA des Films : Seppuku als Protest für das Verhalten eines Fürsten, der sich als menschlicher Bastard benimmt und seiner sadistischen Neigung in jeder Lebenssituation nachkommt, ihm gehorcht ein Tross von Samurei, die nicht ihrem Gewissen folgen, sich zur Menschlichkeit zu bekennen, nein, diese Samurei gehorchen einem Tyrannen, sie beschützen ihn sogar noch ! - Die Vergangenheit lehrt uns aber, daß Tyrannen nur eine gewisse Zeit herrschen und irgendwann zu Tode kommen, nur dauert es oft sehr lange ! Das angerichtete Leid ist sehr groß im Schutz der Samurei ! Der ältesten Rat beschliesst ein Attentat vorzunehmen in typischer japanischer Art und Weise. Die Assassins kämpfen bis zum letzten Mann, nur einer bleibt am Leben und der Mann des Waldes ! Amputierte Gliedmaße gehören bei Mike Takashi Miike zur Filmrealität, wie z. B. in "AUDITION" finden sich die Szenen hier wieder, nur noch brutaler und abartiger ! 13 Kämpfer die einem Tyrannen nach dem Leben trachten, sich nicht fürchten vor einer Übermacht, sich einsetzen, eine Tyrannenherrschaft zu beenden, in einem totalen Massaker in dem schliesslich alle ihr Leben lassen in der Takashi Miike ART - Kopf ab - Seppuku - also Selbstmord mit und ohne Assistenten - Zunge raus reißen - Schwert- und Lanzenkampf - Tod und Sterben durch Pfeile des japanischen Langbogens ! Der Film ist nichts für zart beseitete Gemüter, selbst Kenner der Schwertkampf-Szene werden auf emotionaler Achterbahn des Films durchgeschüttelt ! Der Film ist und bleibt ein Meisterwerk und nimmt die Betrachter total mit ! Am Ende ist der Tyrann tot, sein Kopf rollt im Dreck - es lebe die Freiheit, es leben die Kämpfer der Befreiung, jetzt aber nicht mehr, im Kampf für die gerechte Sache gefallen ! Das ist nichts Neues ! An einem alten Fachwerkhausbalken in Dresden steht geschrieben : " Die Feuer der Freiheit leuchten, die Feuer der Tyrannei brennen !" Dem füge ich in Anlehnung an den Untergang der Samurei hinzu : Freiheit wird erkämpft, nicht erbettelt ! Wenn die Freiheit erreicht ist werden die Helden der Freiheitskämpfe verehrt, das ist der Ruhm und das Schicksal der Krieger und der Kämpfer, nicht nur in Japan, wo die Freiheit jetzt herrscht ! Ein sehr sehenswerter Film an die Grenze der Unerträglichkeiten, also vorsicht ! - Es lebe die Befreiung von Tyrannen - zur Befreiung benötigen wir heute keine Samurei, keine Schwertkämpfer ! Das Schwert eines Befreiers ist blutig, das ist in diesem Film sehr gut in der " Kopf ab - Szene " zu sehen Shinzaemon wischt das blutige Schwert in der Ellenbogenbeuge sauber, um es wieder mit Blut des Tyrannen zu besudeln !!! -

13 assassins est le meilleur chambara que j'ai vu et fait parti des meilleurs films de Miike. Le problème est qu'aucune édition française VOSTFR de ce bijou n'existe. Le film commence à dater, et seul internet permet de le voir. Esperons un pack blu ray avec Hara kiri, son dernier projet, en 3D pour réparer ce gigantesque manque. Quand on voit qu'il sort 15 bouses par mois en BR et que ce summun du cinéma japonais n'existe même pas en DVD, on ne peu pas être confiant dans l'avenir du cinéma populaire...

Avalon nos trae 13 asesinos una obra maestra del director Takashi Miike que a mi parecer supera a la original del 63 de Eichi Kudo. Un verdadero orgasmo visual con el señor personal del director, donde no faltara una excelente fotografia entre mezclada con una sinfonia de violencia, honor y venganza. Se nota en el filme los guiños constantes al cine de Kurosawa en especial a Yojimbo y los siete samurais. Sobre la edición decir que trae audio en castellano en 5.1 aunque recomiendo verla en VOS, la calidad de imagen es excelente, y en el campo de extras destacan: " El 14 samurai" recopilatorio de pensamientos del director sobre el filme, y un diccionario Samurai. Estamos ante una de las mejores péliculas modernas del genero samurai, donde Takeshi Miike da una vez mas una cátedra de dirección, que sumado a una edición mas que decente, la hacen una compra imprescindible para las estanterías de cualquier coleccionista.

Excelente