Lone Wolf & Cub Sword of Vengeance DVD Ogami Itto

The first in a series of six films based on the long-running manga concerns Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama); a shogun's executioner who is framed by the Yagyu clan and forced into exile as a wandering assassin for hire. After the killing of his wife by the Yagyus; Ogami gives his young son Daigoro the choice between instant death; a ball and the life of the ronin; a sword. As the child reaches for the sword; father and son's fate is sealed to a life of violence and tragedy. Wheeling Daigoro through the countryside in a baby cart rigged with deadly weapons; Ogami comes to a town held hostage by brigands; where he is to stop a planned assassination. The final duel between Ogami and the Yagyu man at dawn is exhilarating and beautifully filmed. Although extremely violent and gore-drenched; the series remains highly stylized and remarkably intelligent. The first two episodes of the series were edited together and released in the U.S. as Shogun Assassin. Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi (Shoji Kobayashi), Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa. 83 minutes.