The Bushido Blade
(Koch Vision)

Honor is at the heart of The Bushido Blade, a tale that may or may not have some historical truth attached to it. In 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan to sign a treaty with the Shogun that would open the country to trade with America. Many traditionalists were opposed to this act and used every opportunity for sabotage. A rebel samurai group steals a sword that was to have been a gift from the Shogun to the President, placing the treaty in jeopardy and the Shogun’s Commander must team up with three sailors to bring it back and save face. As Commodore Perry, actor Richard Boone is terrible - it’s as if his long career in TV and movies had never existed. Toshiro Mifune and Sonny Chiba don’t get nearly enough screen time, while Frank Converse and Laura Gemser do most of the acting, but only receive minor credit in the small print on the back of the package. The biggest joke is seeing James Earl Jones’ name at the top of the list, when he’s on screen for no more than two minutes max. - David Bassin