Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Akihiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Fumio Watanabe, Tomoko Mayama, Reiko Kasahara ... see more see more... , Shigeru Tsuyuguchi , Taketoshi Naito , Tomoo Uchida , Yoshi Kato , Yoshiko Fujita

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 wanderin... read more read more...g 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. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

4,971 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 21 min.

Directed by: Kenji Misumi

Release Date: April 1, 1972

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: June 10, 2003

Stats: 255 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) lone wolf and cub lone wolf and cub- sword of vengeance Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru)
Upload a Photo | View All Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (255)

  • fb573414556
    July 27, 2011
    fb573414556
    The first of a six part series about a Shogunate executioner who flees with his son after being framed for disloyalty to his clan. Sword of Vengeance offers a good begining to a long story. Due to being the first part it mainly focuses on character development so there's not a gr... read moreeat amount of the main story (apart from the start) but that's not a problem. The biggest problem the film faces is its ending, although the final sword fight was enjoyable the film ended a bit to abrubtly for my liking and I would of liked something more to think about. Enjoyable none the less and I am interested to see where the series goes.

    P.S I would like to add (to anyone that cares) that this film is better then Princess Blade, I thought about my rating and decided to lower it to 2.5.
  • animegirlaya
    October 8, 2010
    animegirlaya
    Lone Wolf & Cub: Sword of Vengeance is the story of an once distinguished samurai executioner who was framed for treason. Shows how the main character went into being an avenging assassin. After the death of his wife, Ogami Itto makes a vow of vengeance on the people responsible ... read morefor the murder of his wife and his frame up. With his son Daigoro by his side, Itto tends towards the road of assassin as a way to get even with his arch enemy, the Yagyu Clan. His assignment in this story is to kill a few high officers of a samurai clan who plan on killing their future leader.

    The film combines the back story of volume one and volume six in the Lone Wolf & Cub comics. The prologue and the first flashback is from volume six. The second flashback later in the movie is from the first volume. These scenes for the most part are faithful to the original source.

    Lone Wolf & Cub: Sword of Vengeance is not as polish or technically slick as the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa. Does not share Kurosawa's eye for the spectacle touch of his samurai pictures. Also, not deep in depiction of human nature and human error like Akira Kurosawa's Samurai epics. More an authentic look at the period of the Shogun and the fatalistic nature of the samurai warrior.

    The scene where Ogami Itto gives his son the choice of the ball or the sword is intense and suspenseful. Its in this scene that Itto and his son Daigoro become the Lone Wolf & Cub. The choice given to Daigoro is cruel yet compassionate. When Daigoro touches the sword his path is more fatalistic and worst than death. A very emotional moment for Ogami Itto because of his love for his son and the fact that their path together will be of loneliness and tragedy.

    The revenge motif dominates the motives of Ogami Itto as well as the plot development of Lone Wolf & Cub: Sword of Vengeance. This motif is done in the same manner as in many Westerns. The theme of revenge makes the film pretty much a Japanese Western. Honor and revenge are the two most important things for Ogami Itto. The motif of revenge is a strong force in both the comic and film version of Lone Wolf and Cub.

    The action sequences are visually arresting and physically awesome. The sword play in these action scenes are fresh and imaginative. Many of these scenes are gory and violent but not as gory as in some of the later Lone Film & Cub films. Lone Wolf & Cub: Sword of Vengeance does an excellent job in being faithful to the visual style of the samurai sword fights from the graphic novels. The camera work on these action scenes are free flowing with style and booming with graceful movement.

    The Climatic battle scene builds up with an incredible amount of suspense. Awesome depiction of sword play with some gory moments. The camera moves around in a smooth fashion and acts as another member of the cast. The director, Kenji Misumi does the battle scenes in the graphic novel series. Tomisaburo Wakayama is excellent in doing this scene.
    The cinematography, editing, and art direction are great. Tomisaburo Wakayama was the perfect actor to play Ogami Itto because of his physical similarites. Akihiro Tomikawa is cute as Ogami Daigoro.
  • pier007
    September 19, 2010
    pier007
    My knowledge in japanese samurai films is a bit narrow, but I'll take the chance to draw a parallelism between east and west cinema that could sound blasphemous or stupid to somebody who knows more about it. But I suppose, if westerns had John Ford as a traditionalist filmmaker a... read morend Sergio Leone as a revolutioner who shattered that sanitized and mythic image and made it dirty and unheroic, I could apply that same logic to samurai films of Akira Kurosawa and then to what Kenji Misumi accomplished in this first chapter. I guess that shallow explanation could serve a newcomer to picture what kind of brilliant and bloody action film they'll find here.
  • rubystevens
    April 14, 2008
    rubystevens
    the first in the series of lone wolf and cub, the story of a shogun's executioner forced to flee with his infant son after the murder of his wife. he takes work as a hired assassin, with baby cart in tow, until he can seek revenge. lots of fun, blood and child endangerment!
  • mjgildea
    February 17, 2008
    mjgildea
    Such a kick-ass movie that it A L M O S T rivals Yojimbo as my favorite samurai movie. Sword of Vengeance has some sword fights that are gruesome, bloody and beautiful as well as a Shaft-like (the original, not that shitty remake) sex scene. The kid (Cub) is cute as hell in a bab... read morey stroller from hell. It's got a great soundtrack and a real spaghetti western feel to it that pissed me off that it wasn't even 85 minutes long. The movie's also very well done and I eagerly anticipate the rest of the series...
  • Beefy
    May 13, 2007
    Beefy
    Absolutely fantastic viewing.
  • threefolddado
    October 14, 2010
    threefolddado
    Bloody good fun.
  • cacutshaw
    January 30, 2007
    cacutshaw
    Soon to be remade and I can guarantee I won't like it as much. Blood sprays everywhere as the coolest Ronin and his little son slice their way through feudal Japan.
  • erdna8183
    October 14, 2010
    erdna8183
    Kozure Okami:Kowokashi Undekashi Tsukamatsuru/Lone Wolf & Cub:Sword of Vengeance(1972) is the story of an once distinguished samurai executioner who was framed for treason. Shows how the main character went into being an avenging assassin. After the death of his wife, Ogami Itto ... read moremakes a vow of vengeance on the people responsible for the murder of his wife and his frame up. With his son Daigoro by his side, Itto tends towards the road of assassin as a way to get even with his arch enemy, the Yagyu Clan. His assignment in this story is to kill a few high officers of a samurai clan who plan on killing their future leader.

    The action sequences are visually arresting and physically awesome. The sword play in these action scenes are fresh and imaginative. Many of these scenes are gory and violent but not as gory as in some of the later Lone Film & Cub films. Lone Wolf & Cub:Sword of Vengeance(1972) does an excellent job in being faithful to the visual style of the samurai sword fights from the graphic novels. The camera work on these action scenes are free flowing with style and booming with graceful movement.

    The film combines the back story of volume one and volume six in the Lone Wolf & Cub comics. The prologue and the first flashback is from volume six. The second flashback later in the movie is from the first volume. These scenes for the most part are faithful to the original source. The dialogue, however is slightly different in the film from volumes one and six.

    The first flashback that depicts Itto's frame up by the Yagyu fills the screen with a sea of human emotions. This scene shows the relationship between Ogami and his wife to be caring and tender. The moment when Azami touches her son's face and then dies is very sad. One of the few times in the film and the series that Ogami Itto is highly emotional. Scene depicts Ogami Itto as a man who is bound by the code of Bushido.

    Lone Wolf & Cub:Sword of Vengeance(1972) is not as polish or technically slick as the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa. Does not share Kurosawa's eye for the spectacle touch of his samurai pictures. Also, not deep in depiction of human nature and human error like Akira Kurosawa's Samurai epics. The mindset and the beliefs of the samurai is better depicted here. More an authentic look at the period of the Shogun and the fatalistic nature of the samurai warrior.

    The scene where Ogami Itto gives his son the choice of the ball or the sword is intense and suspenseful. Its in this scene that Itto and his son Daigoro become the Lone Wolf & Cub. The choice given to Daigoro is cruel yet compassionate. When Daigoro touches the sword his path is more fatalistic and worst than death. A very emotional moment for Ogami Itto because of his love for his son and the fact that their path together will be of loneiness and tragedy.

    The love scene with the prostitute and Ogami Itto is erotic yet not overly explicit. Effective in the use of camera movement and dissolves. Scene is well edited. The only love scene that Ogami Itto is involved during the entire Lone Wolf & Cub movies. Shows that Itto will sacrifice the feeling of shame to save a girl who is an outcast like himself.

    The revenge motif dominates the motives of Ogami Itto as well as the plot development of Lone Wolf & CUb:Sword of Vengeance(1972). This motif is done in the same manner as in many Italian Westerns. The theme of revenge makes the film pretty much a Japanese Spaghetti Western. Honor and revenge are the two most important things for Ogami Itto. The motif of revenge is a strong force in both the comic and film version of Lone Wolf and Cub.

    The Climatic battle scene builds up with an incredible amount of suspense. Awesome depiction of sword play with some gory moments. The camera moves around in a smooth fashion and acts as another member of the cast. The director, Kenji Misumi does the battle scenes in the graphic novel series. Tomisaburo Wakayama is excellent in doing this scene.

    Contains a disturbing and harrowing rape scene. The cinematography, editing, and art direction are first class. Tomisaburo Wakayama was the perfect actor to play Ogami Itto because of his physical similarites. Akihiro Tomikawa is cute as Ogami Daigoro. The Violence here is on the level of the blood letting from The Streetfighter movies.
  • mpghoul1973
    May 7, 2009
    mpghoul1973
    Stylish film about an assasin for hire. Plus his kid is along for the ride. Lots of arterial spray. Very bloody.

View All Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Howard Thompson
May 9, 2005
Howard Thompson, New York Times

Here, with no particular imagination or flair, Kenji Misumi directs a blunt melodrama accordingly. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
December 5, 2009
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

Achieves a few moments of transcendant beauty, and the quick, brutal swordfights ... are thrilling. Full Review

Anton Bitel
November 19, 2009
Anton Bitel, Little White Lies

The very first act we see Itto perform is the Shogun-sanctioned beheading of a very young boy, immediately suggesting that there is something deeply wrong with the order that this Official Executioner... Full Review

March 13, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A rare film that succeeds as lowbrow visceral entertainment, or as high-concept art. Full Review

Brian Mckay
March 18, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

Mostly dedicated to character setup and plot exposition, the sword work is still amazing, thanks to Wakyama Tomisaburo's real-life expertise in Kendo and Iaido. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 1, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Walter Chaw
July 10, 2003
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Hanna
    Hanna (86%)
  • Léon (The Professional)
    Léon (The Professional) (45%)
  • Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart at the River Styx (Kozure Ôkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma) (Shogun Assassin)
    Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart at the River St... (100%)
  • Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart to Hades (Kozure Ôkami: Shinikazeni mukau ubaguruma) (Shogun Assassin 2: Lightning Swords of Death)
    Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart to Hades (Kozur... (100%)

More Movies like Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru)

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Lone Wolf and Cub... : Watch Free on TV

Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru). Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword of Vengeance (Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

rubystevens Skin by rubystevens
35 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins