Kozure Ôkami: Meifumadô (1973) Reviews

• "We're at the crossroads to Hell"

  chaos-rampant2008-03-28

  Master film-maker Kenji Misumi returns in the Lone Wolf and Cub series to helm the fifth entry, Baby Cart in the Land of the Demons, and if you thought even just for a fleeting second that this would be anything but orgasmically violent and existentially mystifying, you just don't have enough confidence on the man. Picking up the story of the Shogun's former executioner Ogami Itto and his son Daigoro, this is another tale of betrayal, political intrigue and murder. The Kuroda Clan is in deep trouble, trouble that Ogami Itto's fierce opponents, the Yagyu, want to exploit for their own benefit. Ogami Itto is paid his usual fee (500 gold pieces of course) and bloodshed ensues. Now as a chambara and LWAC fundamendalist, I will confess upfront that the combination of stylized comic-book violence and the existential, quasi-mythic look at both historical Japan and the genre conventions that form chambara, are a sure win in my book. It might not be as groundbreaking as the first two entries in the series, it is after all following a now well-tested tradition, but it is done with such conviction and deliberation that one has to pay notice. As with other serialized characters of the chambara universe like Zatoichi or Nemuri Kiyoshiro, it is exactly that it simultaneously meets our expectations as a pure Lone Wolf movie that doesn't disappoint the way Hollywood sequels do and that it breaks the traditional forms of the period drama that make even a fifth entry of this tried and tested recipe so good. The plot is of secondary value to the actual journey of Itto and his son. They have been through the crossroads at Hades and now into the land of the demons and there is no turning back. What pushes them through piles of dead bodies is revenge, and I say "them" because Daigoro has made his commitment to follow the same path of blood as his father, their fates inextricably linked through life and death; yet as with other Lone Wolf movies revenge is but a vague part of the storyline. A skeleton that gives these movies form and reason to be but they take life beyond that. In Lone Wolf and Cub's case their journey is an existential fable bathed in blood, like they are doomed to cut their way through the land for all time and it is through the act of killing that their existence takes meaning. It takes one look at Ogami Itto's grim stare to realize that if there is a god and he would dare to appear in front of him, Itto would swiftly cut him down and move on his path. Takashi Miike understood all this crystal clear when he made Izo. Speaking of blood, yes, there will be lots of it. It's a staple of the Lone Wolf movies and I wouldn't have it any other way. Arterial sprays, chopped heads and bodies sliced in half. And then there is Tomisaburo Wakayama, the man, the myth, crafting the most mesmerizing character role of his career. Strongly recommended as are all the other Lone Wolf movies. Watch them in order though.

• Great action combined with impressive storytelling, best of the series

  rcp022003-09-04

  Even though all the festival-scenes are a sub-plot that adds little to nothing to the story, I find this an excellent film. The idea and the enactment of the five Samurai, each giving Ogami a part of his mission as their dying words, exemplifies the value of loyalty and truth above all. In all the Lone Wolf films honor is considered the highest value, and there is a continuous presence of morality throughout the series. In this film I was touched by the incredible loyalty of all the Samurais of the Kuroda clan. Even when on fire, fatally wounded or bleeding from every orifice, they still continue to serve their clan. In fact they care so much for their clan that they hire Ogami to kill their own, perverted masters, because their actions bring dishonor and great danger to the clan. Story-wise certainly the most elaborate of the Lone Wolf films, I found this one to be the best.

• Pressure Mounts for Both the Lone Wolf and His Growing Cub

  drqshadow-reviews2017-04-19

  Where the Lone Wolf and Cub adventure has been delightfully frenetic up to this point, the fifth film is a decided change of pace. Much more deliberate and pensive, Baby Cart in the Land of Demons spends an unusual amount of time in one place, toying with a more nuanced (at times even confusing) story, while also fleshing out an important supporting character. Young Daigoro, stone-faced son of the wandering master at the center of this great storm, finally gets his close-up and proves to be every bit as determined, soft-spoken and unflappable as his father. His scenes are the ones that stuck with me afterward, resonating in a way that felt fresh while also remaining loyal to the saga's identity. Daddy, meanwhile, has his hands full with a difficult five-pronged onslaught and a pair of complex, intertwined kill contracts. His actions at the film's climax once more cast the character in dark grey fabric, a recurring theme for the series, and prove that (where duty is concerned) he hasn't changed all that much from the very first time we met. Less visceral and rubber-tendoned than any of the earlier entries, and perhaps overly ambitious with that tangled primary storyline, it's good stuff if a touch below the standard its brethren have thus far maintained. An outlier in many ways.

• Entry 5/6 in tough samurai series

  Leofwine_draca2012-04-26

  The indefatigable Itto Ogami continues his journey through feudal Japan with his son in tow. BABY CART IN THE LAND OF DEMONS is the fifth in the six-film series and for the first time, the film shows signs of flagging. It's not that I didn't enjoy this movie, because I did; rather, I started to find the plot shenanigans to be ever-so-slightly familiar, if not a little tired. Much of what goes on in the film has been seen before, and although the action sequences are as vivid as ever, there's little here that hasn't been done previously (and better). As per usual, Ogami finds himself caught up in plotting between various factions and must form political allegiances to see him through. The opening of the film sees him tackling a series of martial arts masters, all of whom test him unawares to make sure he's worthy of the job. The plot then takes a lengthy and slightly pointless detour to a market village where Daigoro is accused of helping a pickpocket conduct her business. Although this sequence has been incorporated to allow greater characterisation of Ogami's son, I found it dragged the pacing down to crawling speed. Thankfully, things pick up for a relatively exciting climax which sees Ogami finishing off his job. There's still a great deal of entertainment value from watching the various characters occupying different positions in Japanese society at this time and how they react to our hero. The cast give understated performances and the action is typically well shot, but I'm actually looking forward to the end of this series now: better to end on a high than dragging it into the ground.

• Despite some weak spots, worth seeing...and not a single rape!

  MartinHafer2011-01-29

  While this film has some serious weaknesses, it deserves kudos for being the one and only Lone Wolf and Cub film that does NOT include someone being raped or there being an attempted rape! Now this does not mean it's exactly family-friendly, as there are tons of killings, swimming pool's worth of blood-letting and a lot of crazy violence. Just think twice before you let your kids watch this or any of the Lone Wolf an Cub movies. The beginning of this film is highly reminiscent of the plot of Bruce Lee's "The Game of Death". Ogami Itto must defeat one master after another in order to proceed to the next level--the assassination of an evil priest who is actually working for the dreaded Yagyu clan! There is a plot about the substitution of a girl for the male heir to a clan that is related to all this. H stupid in MANY ways. However, the way this is all revealed to Itto is cool...but also pretty stupid if you think about it. It begins with a samurai challenging Itto. Itto naturally kills the guy but instead of just dying instantly like 95% of Itto's victims, he manages to hold on long enough to give an incredibly explanation for the challenge--to determine IF this man was The Lone Wolf and Cub as well as to determine if his skills are up to the task for a new assignment. Then, one at a time, another member of this totally insane clan comes to challenge Itto and each time, the slain man manages to hold on long enough to give more information to Itto as he's dying. The craziest of which involved a guy falling into the fire and giving details as he bleeds to death and roasts alive!! It's neat to watch but makes zero sense. If any one of these men died instantly (like most normally do), then they would not have delivered each detail to him. Does this make any sense at all?!?! Plus, why waste several talented samurai like this?! Why not have the guys just go to Itto and give him the information and commission?! It's neat to watch but pretty dumb. Later, a tough-fighting lady attacks Itto, but she does not want to kill him but talk to him about the assassination the others asked him to perform--and get him to perform three more. However, she is NOT stupid and does not wish to be killed like the other idiots! She is, incidentally, not of the same idiot clan! In between these meetings, there is an odd plot involving Itto's child, Daigoro, and a pickpocket. It's pretty interesting and shows that the little boy is every bit the stoic little nut-case his father is! You just have to see this to know what I mean. Later, Lord Restudo sends his 'shadow Yagyu' to escort the evil priest. Naturally, Itto is hiding nearby--waiting to complete his contract. How he does, however, is something I sure couldn't have anticipated!! This and the subsequent getaway scene is probably the best part of the movie. From here on, it's a matter of Itto delivering the latter he got off his victim. But, when this moment arrives, don't think it's the end...as Itto has to make things right within this clan, as someone is usurping the throne and all must be made right...thanks to a massive blood-letting. The final scene where you learn exactly who the mystery woman was who helped him is a fitting finale. So is the film worth seeing? Well, yes if you like the series. Despite the stupid beginning, the rest of the film is pretty good and exciting. I noticed one reviewer indicated the film was very confusing and didn't make sense--perhaps due to the bad dubbing. Well, I saw a captioned version on DVD from AnimEigo and it was not difficult to understand.