Three Outlaw Samurai (Criterion Collection) (Blu-ray)

This first film by the legendary Hideo Gosha (Sword of the Beast) is among the most canonized chambara (sword-fighting) films. An origin-story offshoot of a Japanese television series phenomenon of the same name, THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI is a classic in it's own right. In it, a wandering, seen-it-all Ronin (Tetsuro Tamba) becomes entangled in the dangerous business of two other samurai (Isamu Nagato and Mikijiro Hira), hired to execute a band of peasants who have kidnapped the daughter of a corrupt magistrate. With remarkable storytelling economy and thrilling action scenes, this is an expertly mounted tale of revenge and loyalty.

Starring: Briana Banks, Tetsuro Tamba, Isamu Nagato, Mikijiro Hira, Miyuki Kuwano, Nikita Denise, David Hardman, Yoshiko Kayama, Joel Lawrence, Mariesa, Tiffany Mason, Eric Masterson, Pat Myne, Sherra, Sierra, Taylor StClair, Evan Stone, Lee Stone, Kristal Summers, Tony Tedeschi, Nacho Vidal, Zana