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Jeffrey Falcon, Justin Mcguire, Stephane Gauger, John Sakisian, Gabrille Pimenter ... see more see more... , Zuma Jay , Monti Ellison , Kim De Angelo , Clifford Hugo

This high-camp, independent fantasy adventure mixes elements of comic books, Westerns, post-apocalyptic science fiction (particularly The Road Warrior (1981)), chop-sockey action films, Elvis Presley ... read more read more...musicals, and road pictures into a postmodern stew. Jeffrey Falcon is Buddy, a samurai guitar player wandering through a dystopian, alternate-reality America. In 1957, the Russians dropped nuclear bombs on the country, which is now mostly a barren wasteland of sand dunes, save for "Lost Vegas," which has become the new U.S. capitol and the residence of Elvis, who is now quite literally the King. News arrives that Elvis has died, and Buddy sets out for the City of Sin to take the ruler's place, accompanied by a mute kid (Justin McGuire). Along the way, the pair will face numerous villains, including Death (Stephane Gauger) and his trio of archers, as well as cannibals, mutants and three lethal bowlers. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

7,286 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

20 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Lance Mungia

Release Date: September 18, 1998

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DVD Release Date: February 23, 1999

Stats: 746 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (746)

  • 366weirdmovies
    July 12, 2010
    366weirdmovies
    Samurai and rock musician Buddy (martial artist Jeffery Falcon, a dead ringer for Buddy Holly) travels the post-apocalyptic wasteland, heading to Vegas with the other rock and rollers in a bid to assume the throne left vacant by the dead Elvis. In terms of the setting and concep... read moret, this blazingly original and well-crafted movie is so different and unique that you desperately want to fall in love with it, but the layers upon layers of stylization are just so damn thick you end up feeling alienated from the world rather than drawn inside it. Lots of people fall in love anyway, and it's worth taking a chance for fans of cult movies.
  • DrBenway
    November 11, 2008
    DrBenway
    It's The Road Warrior Picture Show with a Buddy Holly doing his best Toshiro Mifune starring in a Sergio Leone gang picture set in a fantasy future, directed with the flash of a Hong Kong action flick and the nice and slow style of a samurai film and I was still bored
  • matertenebraum
    June 30, 2007
    matertenebraum
    This movie is a wonderful experience - the cinematography is stunning, the fights exquisite and the music perfect. One of the most enjoyable theatrical experiences of all time; I'd recommend it to anyone with an open mind about movies.
  • dhetteix
    May 24, 2007
    dhetteix
    It is quasi-low budget, and patently absurd. Buddy Holly goes to post-apocalyptic Lost Vegas to claim the vacated throne of the monarch of the post-nuclear-United-States... Elvis Presley. But the dark spectre of Heavy Metal intends on claiming the throne.

    The themes and mood are... read more over-the-top. The acting is acceptably absurd. The script is filled with the appropriate number of non-contextual one-liners.

    Overall, it is excellent as a rarely-seen cult movie... just don't try to make it out to be anything more than that.
  • Godless
    April 11, 2006
    Godless
    I recomend this post apocalyptic tale of the various degrees of rock music. Beware it is an aquired taste and not for everybody.
  • gator681
    January 3, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Six-String Samurai" takes place 40 years after the Russians bombed America and invaded in 1957, and Elvis was crowned king in Las Vegas. Now, he is dead and a slew of men are making their way to Las Vegas to attempt to replace him. One such is Buddy(Jeffrey... read more Falcon, who also co-wrote) who rescues a child(Justin McGuire) before he ventures into the wastelands. Hot on Buddy's tail is Death(Stephane Gauger) and His Horsemen of the Apocalypse...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"Six-String Samurai" is an offbeat adventure film that combines several genres into one happy mix with a little Bergman thrown in for good measure. Of all the influences, "The Wizard of Oz" stands out the most. The movie is entertaining throughout and lasts just long enough that it does not overstay its welcome. And there is a cool music score from The Red Elvises, too.[/font]
  • cacutshaw
    January 31, 2008
    cacutshaw
    Tries so hard to be wacky and cultish that it is a sickening watch. Very disappointing.
  • patrickdol
    July 10, 2007
    patrickdol
    With too many nods to samurai movies and El Topo to count, this movie really tells a great story. There's even references to Wizard of Oz. The direction is somewhat Gilliam-esque but definetly different enough to not peg at a rip off. See it.
  • KLFilmmaker
    March 31, 2007
    KLFilmmaker
    Created an internet buzz to become a small cult hit. Some interesting shots, but the plot is lacking and performance are a little one note.
    I considered turning it off a few times.
  • loogenhausen
    July 31, 2011
    loogenhausen
    Dumb low budget indie kung fu/sci-fi actioner that's supposed to be cheesy and over-the-top but still comes off as crap. Yes, I get it. I just don't like it. Deal with it...

View All Six-String Samurai Reviews

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina
April 3, 2009
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

'Vegas needs a new king.' That, right there, is all you need to know plotwise of this ridiculously fun no-budget actioner. Full Review

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

Will remain an obscure and sequel-less cult classic, having achieved that status out of sheer weirdness rather than greatness. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
June 14, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

So here's two good performers and a good idea, gorgeous camera work....and nothing else. The idea was funny but I thought it was executed poorly at times.

Sean Axmaker
January 1, 2000
Sean Axmaker, Nitrate Online

Lance Mungia's high energy genre soup is a hoot, a low budget indie action film that embraces its limitations with a spare grunge-chic look... Full Review

James O'Ehley
November 28, 2002
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page

Sometimes weirdness and originality in itself aren't enough. Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Lawrence Van Gelder
January 1, 2000
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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  • In Six-String Samurai, Buddy is threatened by a Russian general, "If I were you, I'd run!" Buddy's Response: "If you were me, you'd be ______"  Answer »
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