SciFi Japan

    DVD and Blu-ray cover art for The Criterion Collection`s upcoming release of director Nobuhiko Obayashi`s cult classic horror film HOUSE. Photo courtesy of Image Entertainment. © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Image Entertainment Official Movie Site: janusfilms.com/house, criterion.com/house Special Thanks to Marsha Altmark The Criterion Collection is proud to present Toho`s stunningly bizarre horror movie HOUSE (Hausu, 1977) on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, this is a must have for any Japanese cult horror film fan. How to describe Nobuhiko Obayashi’s indescribable movie HOUSE? As a psychedelic ghost tale? A stream-of-consciousness bedtime story? An episode of SCOOBY-DOO as directed by Mario Bava? Any of the above will do for this hallucinatory head trip about a schoolgirl who travels with six classmates to her ailing aunt’s creaky country home and comes face-to-face with evil spirits, a demonic house cat, a bloodthirsty piano, and other ghoulish visions. Equal parts absurd and nightmarish, HOUSE might have been beamed to Earth from some other planet. Or perhaps the mind of a child: the

    Innocent wannabe pop musician Soichi Negishi (Kenichi Matsuyama) becomes the death metal star Johannes Krauser II in DETROIT METAL CITY, Toho`s live action movie based on the international best-selling manga series. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd. /Horipro Inc. / Hakusensha, Inc. /Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. / Dentsu Inc. /d-rings Inc. /Parco Co., Ltd. /SDP, Inc. /Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. /Yahoo Japan Corporation /Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc. /Tsutaya Group.

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    Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced that it has licensed from Toho Company, Ltd the North American theatrical and DVD distribution rights to the heavy metal live-action comedy, DETROIT METAL CITY. The DVD is scheduled for release later in the fall of this year. DETROIT METAL CITY takes the zany rock antics inspired by films like THIS IS SPINAL TAP to hilarious new extremes in this film directed by Toshio Lee and based on the popular manga comic created by Kiminori Wakasugi. It features notable appearances by Gene Simmons from the legendary band, KISS, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, and stars Kenichi Matsuyama, one of the most adored actors in Japan today

    The Ju-On curse celebrates its 10th anniversary with the new film THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST, coming to Australian DVD from Madman. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2009 Toei Video Co., Ltd. /Cell

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    Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Philippa Lamb The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing the following anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in August, 2010... THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST It is 10 years since the original Grudge movies appeared in Japan. We return once more to the dreaded house, to where the evil of the Grudge is spreading in two new feature films. White or Black, which is the scariest? WHITE GHOST In a certain house, a son who failed the bar examination kills five members of his family one by one. He then dies by hanging himself. At the moment of his death, he made a cassette tape recording in which he can be heard saying "I`ll go. I`ll go soon..." On the same tape can be heard the eerie sound of a young girl`s voice.

    Ban Daisuke, star of KIKAIDA, KIKAIDA-01, and INAZUMAN, will make a special appearance at Anime Jungle in Los Angeles next month. Photo courtesy of Generation Kikaida. © 1972 Ishinomori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

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    Autograph Sessions, Parade, Dinner, and More During Nisei Week Festival, August 14-15 Source: Anime Jungle, JN Productions and Generation Kikaida Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota, Yoichi K, and Joanne Ninomiya Anime Jungle, purveyors of everything anime in Japantown is proud to present an autograph session with Mr. Ban Daisuke, star of KIKAIDA (Jinzo Ningen Kikaida, 1972), KIKAIDA 01 (1973), and INAZUMAN (1973) at the upcoming Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles. KIKAIDA took the Hawaiian Islands by storm over 35 years ago, and still going strong in Hawaii and the mainland due to the successful English-subtitled version of the DVD Box Sets. KIKAIDA, based on an original story by manga artist and writer Shotaro Ishinomori (Kamen Rider), was produced as a tokusatsu (live action) by Toei Movie Company for television in the mid-seventies. A classic good-versus evil tale, the show pitted a guitar-playing,

    Advertisement for the Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD of IP MAN, the international martial arts hit about the mentor of Bruce Lee. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2008 Mandarin Films

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    The Critically-Acclaimed, International Martial Arts Phenomena Debuts on Blu-ray and DVD July 27 Source: Well Go USA, Inc. press release Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker The trio behind the cult hit KILL ZONE -- director Wilson Yip, star Donnie Yen, and action choreographer Sammo Hung -- reteam for the Hong Kong action smash IP MAN, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD July 27 from Well Go USA. Yen (HERO, SEVEN SWORDS), currently Hong Kong’s biggest action star and gaining international recognition as the most diverse martial artist in the world, stars with Simon Yam (BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS, TOMB RAIDER) and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (TAJOMARU, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO) in the biopic based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and mentor to the widely influential and acclaimed martial artist and filmmaker Bruce Lee. Released theatrically in Asia in December

    DEATH NOTE`s Kenichi Matsuyama and Tatsuya Fujiwara reunite for the thriller KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER. Photo courtesy of 4Digital Media and Organic Marketing. © 2009

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    Hit Japanese Thriller Comes to DVD in the UK Source: Organic Marketing Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Megan Han and Alexandra Beedell KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER (Kaiji: Jinsei Gyakuten Gemu, 2009) is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto`s manga Ultimate Survivor Kaiji (Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji) and the 26 episode anime series by Madhouse Studios. The film stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (best known as "Light Yagami" in the DEATH NOTE films) as the titular character and features Kenichi Matuyama ("L") in a key supporting role, marking the first time the two have appeared onscreen together since that hugely successful series. A box office success in Japan (with a sequel planned for next year), KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER will be released on UK DVD (Region 2, PAL) by 4Digital Media on July 26th. Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara) moves to Japan after graduating from high school.

    PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

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    Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their August 2010 slate of releases... PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 650 min. Street Date: 8/3/2010 Format: DVD SRP: $59.98 When Hiro Hiyorimi tries to save a beautiful young woman from certain death, he ends up a dead hero himself! However, since the drop dead girl is Hime, daughter of the King of the Monsters, his "reward" is to come back as a not quite living soldier in her honor guard of horror! That means helping fight off the army of supernatural monstrosities Hime`s siblings are unleashing against her in hopes of moving up the ladder of succession; and if facing off with vampires and zombies isn`t bad enough, how can anyone be prepared for the REALLY

    Chiaki Kuriyama and Takayuki Yamada star in Shochiku`s action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO, now available on Region 1 DVD from VIZ Pictures. © 2009 Kamogawa Horumo Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Japanese and American Press Materials for Combat Action Comedy Film Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: horumo.com (US) Special Thanks to Aki Harimoto and Rieko Fuji Shochiku`s 2009 action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO (Kamogawa Horumo) was released on Region 1 DVD this month by VIZ Pictures. The following article is compiled from both the Japanese and American press notes for the film... Introduction The best-selling fantasy novel by Manabu Makime that became a phenomenon among the young and picky readers of Japan has been adapted into a combat action comedy film, made possible with the high quality and innovative VFX and animation by animation studio GONZO (creators of AFRO SAMURAI and BRAVE STORY). The film is directed by Katsuhide Motoki (KITARO, KITARO AND THE MILLENNIUM CURSE, 10 PROMISES TO MY DOG) and stars Takayuki Yamada (CROWS ZERO, TRAIN MAN:

    An early look at the design for VIZ Media`s 2010 Comic-Con International tote bag. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media.

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    Personal Appearances, Activities, and Show Exclusives Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced an exciting roster of personal appearances, panel discussions, events, giveaways and convention exclusives for 2010 Comic-Con International. Comic-Con is the nation’s largest comic book and science fiction event, and takes place July 21-25 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813. Fans won’t want to miss a very special opportunity to meet comics and pop culture icon Stan Lee, co-creator along with Hiroyuki Takei (Shaman King) of the groundbreaking Ultimo manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), on Saturday, July 24th. Mr. Lee will be a special guest at the Shonen Jump Panel, scheduled at 10:30AM in Room #9, where fans will get the latest manga and anime news and on-the-spot surprises, including a special

    Fudo (Hideaki Ito) duels Kamui (Kenichi Matsuyama) in KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA, Shochiku`s big budget movie adaptation based on the classic manga series. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 Kamui Film Partners

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    Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: kamuigaiden.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh Based on the legendary multi-volume manga series created by Japanese artist and essayist Sanpei Shirato in 1964, directed by Yoichi Sai (BLOOD AND BONES; DOING TIME; ALL UNDER THE MOON) and scripted by Sai and Kankuro Kudo (ZEBRAMAN; PING PONG; GO), the live-action, special effects-laden extravaganza KAMUI (Kamui Gaiden, 2009) perfectly captures the spirit and flavor of Shirato’s original vision. The film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK next month as KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA. A high-spirited adventure involving deadly ninjas, fierce warrior clans, treacherous pirates and fearless shark hunters, KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA boasts a star-studded cast that features some of Asian cinema’s hottest talent, including Kenichi Matsuyama (the DEATH NOTE trilogy), Koyuki (BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE; KITARO), Koichi Sato (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO;

    Key promotional art for the new anime series HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD. © 2010 Daisuke Sato/ Shouji Sato. © 2010 Fujimishobo

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    New Action Horror Anime Series Comes to North America Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: geneonuniversal.jp/rondorobe/anime/hotd (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez During last weekend`s Anime Expo in Los Angeles, Sentai Filmworks announced its acquisition of the new hit anime series HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD (Gakuen Mokushiroku, 2010). Based on the ultra-violent manga by Daisuke Sato, directed by Tetsuro Araki (DEATH NOTE, BLACK LAGOON) and produced by the internationally famed studio Madhouse (DEATH NOTE, NINJA SCROLL, VAMPIRE HUNTER D- BLOODLUST, WICKED CITY) HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD combines hordes of flesh-eating zombies with state of the art animation for one of the most action packed anime series ever! Sentai Filmworks will be releasing HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD in both English dubbed and subtitled versions throughout North America. A deadly new disease is ravaging the world, turning the populace

    Nikkatsu, Japan’s oldest film studio, has launched a new genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon

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    FUNimation and Nikkatsu to Bring Films from the Sushi Typhoon Label to North America Source: FUNimation Entertainment, Subway Cinema press releases Official Site: The Sushi Typhoon Special Thanks to Marc Walkow, Jackie Smith, Manny Alcala, and Grady Hendrix Nikkatsu Corporation, Japan’s oldest film studio, and FUNimation Entertainment, the leading distributor of Japanese animation in North America, have announced an agreement that gives FUNimation Entertainment an exclusive first look option on the home entertainment distribution of titles premiering from Nikkatsu Corporation’s new genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. The first two films slated for release on DVD and Blu-ray through the partnership are the action gore comedy film ALIEN VS. NINJA and the splatter action comedy MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD in early 2011. “The Nikkatsu Corporation is delighted to bring The Sushi Typhoon brand to this side of the Pacific,” said Akifumi Sugihara, Executive Producer

    Friend comforts Friend (!?) after learning that they did not win VIZ Pictures` 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts/ Shogakukan. © 2009 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

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    Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese) Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Thank you to everyone who entered VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan`s contest for a free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack. The winning entry is: Nathan Bishop Congratulations, Nathan! You have won a Gift Pack containing the 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION US theatrical poster, a `Tomodachi` T-shirt, a mini-flag, and a 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3 button. VIZ Pictures will be shipping the Gift Pack shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox. More contests are planned for 2010 so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff! About VIZ Pictures, Inc. Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute)

    Hikari Mitsushima stars in director Sion Sono`s internationally acclaimed four-hour pervert epic LOVE EXPOSURE, coming to DVD from Madman Entertainment. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2008

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    Source: Madman Entertainment The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing the following anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in July, 2010... LOVE EXPOSURE A Daring Journey of Love, Religion and Up-Skirt Photography... Tokyo teen Yu Honda (Takahiro Nishijima) is the traumatized son of a widower-cum-Catholic priest (Atsuro Watabe), who begins a sexual liaison with parishioner Kaori (Makiko Watanabe). When Dad`s affair comes to a halt, he begins admonishing his son to confess to so many sins that the 17-year-old takes up new ones to appease his father`s increased religious zeal. One "sin" - surreptitiously taking candid photographs of panties worn by female pedestrians - becomes a vocation. Unfortunately, a deal with a porn company comes undone when Yu turns down starring roles, because he admits he`s saving himself for a Virgin Mary-like ideal woman. Now we meet feisty schoolgirl

    Three SciFi Japan readers have each won the UK DVD collection 20TH CENTURY BOYS TRILOGY: THE COMPLETE SAGA! Photo courtesy of 4Digital Media and Organic Marketing. ©1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts/Shogakukan. ©2008

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    Source: 4Digital Media, Organic Marketing press release Official Movie Site: 20th Boys (Japan), 4digitalmedia.com/20cb (UK) Special Thanks to Alexandra Beedell and Louise Rivers SciFi Japan would like to thank 4Digital Media, Organic Marketing, and everyone who entered our recent "20TH CENTURY BOYS: THE COMPLETE SAGA" giveaway competition. The following randomly drawn entrants correctly answered the contest question: Steven Sloss Robert Phillips Emma Anderson Congratulations to all the winners! Each of you has won a free copy of the new 20TH CENTURY BOYS TRILOGY: THE COMPLETE SAGA 4 disc box set from 4Digital Media. Organic Marketing has already shipped out the DVDs. British fans... check back with SciFi Japan in the next several days for another great free DVD contest! Contest Answer: Q: In what year does the 20TH CENTURY BOYS saga begin? A: 1969 About 4Digital Media 4Digital Media is a UK

    EYESHIELD 21 COLLECTION 2. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

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    GOLGO 13 COLLECTION 1 Available on July 6th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films` July 2010 slate of releases includes the new English dubbed release of the hit series GOLGO 13 from Section23 client Sentai Filmworks. Also releasing in July is the Blue-ray Edition of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KING COMPLETE COLLECTION. Product details follow, in order of release... EYESHIELD 21 COLLECTION 2 Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Episodes: 14-26 Run Time: 325 min. Language: Japanese Subtitles: English Street Date: 7/6/2010 Format: DVD SRP: $49.98 You can`t make a silk purse out of a pig`s ear, but you can make a football. And apparently with enough finagling and a little finesse, you can make a football star as well! By both hook and crook, Sena Kobayakawa`s unnaturally strong sense of self preservation and even

    VIZ Pictures is offering SciFi Japan readers the chance to win a free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts /Shogakukan © 2008 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

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    Get a Bundle of 20TH CENTURY BOYS Goodies for Free, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese) Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION is the third and final chapter of the mega hit 20TH CENTURY BOYS sci-fi action film trilogy from Japan. Attracting attention as the biggest film project of the century in the Japanese film industry, the production of the trilogy cost over $60 million, stars over 300 all-star cast members, with shooting taking place for an entire year. To celebrate the new Region 1 DVD release of this film, VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3 Gift Pack. The pack includes a 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION US

    Cover art for the MGM DVD on Demand complete set of JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT. Photo courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment. © 1967 Toei Co., Ltd.

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    Author: Keith Aiken, Oki Miyano, and Kevin Grays Source: Fox Home Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Order Page: amazon.com/Johnny-Sokko-His-Flying-Robot Special Thanks to Jennifer Lang, Mitzi Phung, Gary Teetzel, Ana Kono, and Garo Setian Last December, Fox Home Entertainment launched a DVD on Demand program through online retailer Amazon.com`s CreateSpace service. Similar to Warner Bros` Warner Archive Collection, CreateSpace DVD on Demand will allow Fox to make available classic titles from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film and television library that would would most likely not be released as mass-market entries, particularly in today`s tough and over-crowded home video market. “MGM has a vast library of classic films and TV shows, which up until now have never been available for purchase,” said Eric Doctorow, general manager MGM Worldwide at Fox. “Working with CreateSpace gives us the opportunity to preserve and release some of these films and TV shows

    DVD cover art for FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 1. © 2009 Hiromu Arakawa/FA Project?MBS

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases Special Thanks to Jackie Smith The following Region 1 anime DVD and Blu-ray titles are now available from FUNimation Entertainment... FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 1 SRP $49.98 (DVD), $54.98 (Blu-ray) Official Site: fullmetalalchemist.com FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD faithfully recreates the story first told in the classic manga by Hiromu Arakawa and featured in Square Enix`s Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine. Edward and Alphonse Elric`s reckless disregard for alchemy`s fundamental laws ripped half of Ed`s limbs from his body and left Al?s soul clinging to a cold suit of armour. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher`s Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform Alchemy in impossible ways. The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is eager to harness the artifact`s power. So too are the strange Homunculi and

    From left to right: Princess Yuki (Masami Nagasawa), Shinpachi (Daisuke Miyagawa), Takezo (Jun Matsumoto),and Rokurota Makabe (Hiroshi Abe); the heroes of HIDDEN FORTRESS: THE LAST PRINCESS. Toho`s remake of the Akira Kurosawa classic is coming to DVD in the UK this month. Photo courtesy of 4Digital Media and Organic Marketing.© 2008

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    50th Anniversary Remake of Akira Kurosawa Samurai Classic Comes to UK DVD on June 28th Source: Toho Co., Ltd promotional materials, 4Digital Media, Organic Marketing Official Movie Site: kakushi-toride.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers, Steve Beecham, and Stuart Galbraith IV By the late 1950s. filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was internationally renowned for his serious, intelligent— and often bleak and pessimistic— dramas such as RASHOMON (1950), I LIVE IN FEAR (Ikimono no Kiroku, 1955), THRONE OF BLOOD (Kumunosu-jo, 1957), and the LOWER DEPTHS (Donzoko, 1957). For his next production, Kurosawa decided to do something different. With THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (Kakushi Toride no San-Akunin), Kurosawa explained that, "I want to make a 100% entertainment film, full of thrills and fun." Working once again with his RASHOMON and SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no Samurai, 1954) stars Toshiro Mifune and Minoru Chiaki, Kurosawa created a film that has

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