Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS]

You looking to find the "Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS]" Good news! You can purchase Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS] with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $547.72   

Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS] Review

This is a great movie. If you want an all-out action film or a Sonny Chiba showcase, then you will be disappointed. But if you want an epic samurai film with a gripping story, lots of intrigue, memorable characters, and some good action sequences, then this is your film. If you've ever seen Shogun's Ninja(also with Sonny Chiba), it's kinda like that but with a better, more coherent story and performances but has less of the wild action scenes and less of the campiness as well. Think of a Kurosawa-esque film with more action, or a martial arts film with a greater emphasis on character and plot and you'll have Shogun's Samurai.

The film is fictonal, although it's based on some historical facts and settings. Basically, the second shogun of Japan has died(poisoned) and his two sons are fighting for the right to be the next Shogun. Iemitsu Tokugawa(the eldest who is supposed to be the heir) is backed by the Yagyu clan, while his younger brother Tadanaga is backed by almost everyone else. This sets the stage for an epic struggle between two determined sides. The best thing about the movie is that it presents us with BOTH sides of the conflict. It really doesn't take sides, just presenting them(we see both brothers being manipulated by their advisors) and in the process introducing some very memorable characters(including some bad-ass fighters in the process). No, the film doesn't have long fight scenes that showcase all of them(in fact, some disappear for long periods at a time); but samurai films by nature rarely have long extended fights anyway.

Ok, so should you buy this? Hard to say, but let me set the stage for why I was gripped by this film. The first 'very talky' scene shows Tajima(head of the Yagyu Clan) convincing Iemitsu that he should be the next Shogun and that he would do everything in his power to help. Despite the dialogue-heavy nature of the scene, it didn't bore me. In fact, it fully immersed me into the film as well as help me decide who to side with in the movie. But as the movie progressed and introduced new characters and situations, the blurry line of good guy/bad guy and what side was what got even blurrier to the point where you root for individuals and not actual sides. As stated before, not a lot of action scenes. But believe me, when they happen, you watch REALLY carefully...to make sure the character(s) you like doesn't meet their demise. And the ending of the film...wow. No huge battle sequence, but it is very memorable(although it could've 'looked' more realistic) and despite the film's complexity actually brings the film to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, highly recommended.

(DVD=16:9 anamorphic, mono, Japanese language with English subs, only has original Japanese trailers and insert with liner notes)

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS]" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Yagyu Clan Conspiracy [VHS] ...