Description:

Sword of Fury - The exciting life of one of Japan's most splendid swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, whose breath-taking duels and perilous adventures have become legendary.

As an aspiring youth, Musashi takes part in the 17th Century Civil War which establishes the Tokugawa rulership in Japan. He dreams of achieving fame and success, but unfortunately, he is on the losing side. After the defeat, this self-taught swordsman wanders about the country, challenging the best men in martial arts and invariably wins. His victories include matches with the Yoshioka brothers who are noted influential swordsmen.

However, he must now prepare to meet the famous Samurai, Kojiro Sasaki. Only one man, Musashi or Kojiro will become the premier swordsman of all Japan. The Hosokawa Clan arranges the climatic match on a small, Inland Sea Island. Musashi has trained himself physically and mentally for the eventful day, even planning out in advance as to how to gain an advantage, he has also worked to perfect two sword styles - Enmyo-ryu and Niten-ryu.

Rather than the Zen quester of the Inagaki & Uchida's versions, we soon come to realize by watching Kato's film that this Musashi is a calculating, cold-blooded trickster, scientific in his approach. This is closer to the truth of Musashi's historical self, for he was an opportunist first and a sentimentalist last.

Director: KATO TAI

Stars: HIDEKI TAKAHASHI, JIRO TAMIYA, KEIKO MATSUZAKA

1973 - JAPANESE with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES - COLOR - 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN - 148 MINUTES