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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
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Sword of Justice / The Snare / Who's Got the Gold
I must be living a sheltered life. I was
agog at the sexuality in these Hanzo the Razor film, until it finally
dawned on me that these MUST BE, what we call, tongue-in-cheek. I've never seen
Japanese exploitation films before, and still think that this might just be a
fun-loving satirical stab at that genre. How it passed censors in somewhat
'stayed' Japan is a mystery - let's see - bound women with sexual techniques
performed upon them to coerce testimony (a spinning sex chair seems Hanzo's tool
of choice). Nudity and blood-spurting violence etc. Certainly I found these
three films delightfully unique, reminding me of Matt Helm combined with Woody
Allen's "What's Up Tiger Lily" and 70's TV cop shows - throw in extensive
soft-porn and you are starting to approach "Hanzo". It kind of skirts both
innocence and exploitation simultaneously leaving you grinning devilishly
throughout. Much of the intended comedy surrounds Hanzo's penis which is put
through rigorously torturous workouts to keep himself ready to interrogate the
next available female witness. Hey, if multi-chinned and portly Shintaro Katsu
can make it as a sex star then maybe I too still have a chance. This stuff is
pure hilarity and each a dynamic cinema gem of its own. It's almost hard to
accept that these actually exist - that may be their eventual drawing card after
30+ years. out
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Old Video Covers
(aka 'Goyôkiba' or 'Goyoki' or 'Sword of Justice' or 'The Razor: Sword of Justice')
directed by Kenji
Misumi
Japan 1972
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The first film in the notorious “Razor” trilogy, by manga legend Kazuo Koike, introduces Hanzo “The Razor” Itami (Shintaro Katsu), a renegade samurai cop whose investigative methods are only slightly more extreme than his sexual prowess. His refusal to sign a constabulary oath that his code of honor cannot accept puts him on a collision course with his corrupt superior and on the case of the Shogunate. With the loyal assistance of two former criminals, Hanzo defies orders, takes on all comers, and leaves female suspects begging for more. Known as screen icon Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman, Katsu produced this series along with Lone Wolf and Cub, also by Koike and starring Katsu's brother, Tomisaburo Wakayama. Geysers of blood, and graphic sexual content make Hanzo "The Razor" one of the most outrageous outlaws of samurai cinema. |
Theatrical Release: January 18th, 1972 - Tokyo
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Home Vision (3-disc Boxset) - Region 1 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
Available only in the Hanzo The Razor (Three-Disc) Boxed Set |
CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | Home Vision (Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:29:24 | |
| Video | 2.40:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.44 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: |
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| Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | English, None | |
| Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Part
of Boxset that contains all three films (Sword of Justice, The Snare, Who's
Got the Gold) |
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| Comments: |
Noted at the beginning of the film: At 26 minutes, 13 seconds we lose about 25 seconds of audio and at 84 minutes and 15 seconds a few frames missing resulting in an uneven jump cut.
I applaud HVE's attention to
detail in admitting this (above) as almost every other DVD production
company in the world might simply 'let is slide'.
Pretty sharp image
quality in this first film, comparable to the best of the Zatoichi
series (also by Home Vision). Original monaural audio, excellent
subtitles, the three trailers as extras and some keen liner notes.
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DVD Menus
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(aka 'Goyôkiba: Kamisori Hanzô jigoku zeme' or 'Razor 2: The Snare')
directed by Yasuzo Masumura
Japan 1973
| Written by the creator of the manga classic, Lone Wolf and Cub, and starring Shintaro Katsu, known to his hordes of fans as Zatoichi, Hanzo "The Razor" Itami, incorruptible protector of the common man, returns in his second and even more perverse mystery. Demonic abortion ceremonies, S&M Cults, corrupt government officials: it's all in a day's work for the renegade samurai cop who uses his swift sword—and even swifter and more formidable penis—to dispense his own brand of justice. The Snare has "all the killing and commotion" fans expect from The Razor and he delivers... with a vengeance. |
Theatrical Release: August 11th, 1973 - Tokyo
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Home Vision (3-disc Boxset) - Region 1 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
Available only in the Hanzo The Razor (Three-Disc) Boxed Set |
CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | Home Vision (Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:28:45 | |
| Video | 2.40:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.50 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: |
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| Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | English, None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Home Vision Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.40:1
Edition Details: • Part
of Boxset that contains all three films (Sword of Justice, The Snare, Who's
Got the Gold) |
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| Comments: |
The same
level of sharpness and color balance as
The Sword of Justice - super
widescreen appeal and moments of playful sexual demonstrations and
samurai violence. Liner notes and the three trailers. Great fun to own -
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(aka 'Goyôkiba: Oni no Hanzô yawahada koban' or 'Haunted Gold' or 'Razor 3: Who's Got the Gold?')
directed by Yoshio Inoue
Japan 1974
| From the pages of Kazuo Koike's classic manga flies the incorruptible samurai cop Hanzo Itami. Know for his "nasty habits,” fans of “The Razor” wouldn’t have it any other way. Orgying blind high priests, desperate royal wives, corruption, and conspiracy are all part of the mystery Hanzo uncovers at the Shogunate treasury. Appropriate procedures? That’s not the way Edo’s most well-endowed constable conducts his unique brand of police business. Who’s Got The Gold?, starring legendary Shintaro Katsu (Zatoichi) brings the notorious the notorious "Razor" trilogy to a rousing climax, with extreme swordplay and Hanzo's even more extreme "interrogations" of his female suspects. |
Theatrical Release: February 9th, 1974
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Home Vision (3-disc Boxset) - Region 1 - NTSC
| DVD Box Cover |
Available only in the Hanzo The Razor (Three-Disc) Boxed Set |
CLICK to order from:
|
| Distribution | Home Vision Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:23:29 | |
| Video | 2.40:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.67 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: |
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| Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | English, None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Home Vision Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.40:1
Edition Details: • Part
of Boxset that contains all three films (Sword of Justice, The Snare, Who's
Got the Gold) |
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| Comments: |
Ditto the
quality in the first two releases (above). Bottom line for me is that I
am very happy with these films - I probably can't show friends in 'mixed
company' but maybe segments to bring some smiles. This is pretty cool
stuff, if not following any political correctness.
I recommend as long as you know what you are getting yourself into.
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Another unlucky (lucky) lass is bound into Hanzo's spinning sex chair...
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Recommended Reading
for Martial Arts/Samurai Genre Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp |
Eros Plus Massacre: An Introduction to the Japanese New Wave Cinema (Midland Book, Mb 469) by David Desser |
Asian Cult Cinema by Thomas Weisser |
Silver Screen Samurai: The Best of Japan's Samurai
Movie Posters by Na |
VideoHound's Dragon: Asian
Action & Cult Flicks by Brian Thomas |
The Yakuza Movie Book : A Guide
to Japanese Gangster Films by Mark Schilling |
Japanese Movie Posters: Yakuza, Monster, Pink, and
Horror by Chuck Stephens, Tetsuya Masuda, Kairakutei Black |
A Hundred Years of Japanese Film by Donald Richie |
Check out more in "The Library"
| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | Home Vision (Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC | |
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
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Gary Tooze
Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA |
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Thank You!
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