PRODUCT INFORMATION
Street Date 2/18/25
All pre-orders will be shipped as soon as they are in stock. Sometimes this is 1-2 weeks early, sometimes this might be a few days after the street date.
If other in-stock items are ordered at the same time, all items will ship together. If you want your in-stock items shipped immediately, please place pre-orders separately.
All dates, artwork and features are subject to change.
Pre-orders will be charged when you place the order.
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Japanese box-office sensation directed by the revered Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale), "Legend of the Eight Samurai" brings together an impressive ensemble cast, including Hiroko Yakushimaru (Sailor Suit and Machine Gun), Hiroyuki Sanada (Ring), Sonny Chiba (Message from Space) and Etsuko Shihomi (The Street Fighter), in a sweeping epic that blends fantasy with historical drama.
The Satomi Clan have been all-but wiped out by their mortal enemies: the ghoulish members of the undead Hikita Clan. The last Satomi survivor is Princess Shizu (Yakushimaru), who goes into hiding to avoid meeting the same fate as her family. Left to wander on her own, she eventually becomes entangled with farmer-turned-soldier Shinbei (Sanada) and then a pair of warrior monks who reveal themselves to be two of eight fabled Hakkenden - or "Dog Warriors" - who can lift the curse that has been placed upon her family. Together, they must find the rest of the Hakkenden and take on the leader of the Hikita Clan: the evil Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki).
Following Message from Space, which transported the story to a science fiction setting, "Legend of the Eight Samurai" is Fukasaku's second loose adaptation of Toshio Kamata's Shin Satomi Hakkenden, itself an adaptation of Kyokutei Bakin's earlier epic novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on Blu-ray for the first time in North America from a new 4K restoration.
FEATURES:
Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Chris Malbon
1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 4K restoration
Uncompressed original Japanese audio and alternate English dub track
Optional English subtitles
New audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Joe Hickinbottom
New Interview with Kinji Fukasaku's son, filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku
New video essay by film historian and critic Stuart Galbraith IV
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: A collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Tom Mes, co-founder of Midnight Eye