Eiichi Kudo's Samurai Revolution Trilogy

Three-disc set includes: 13 Assassins (1963)A landmark in Japanese samurai cinema, director Eiichi Kudo's historical saga finds a cruel feudal lord, the brother of the Shogun, about to be appointed to a high-ranking position. Fearing that the move will lead the country to ruin, a samurai recruits a dozen of his sword-wielding brethren in a plot to assassinate the lord before he reaches the capital. Chiezo Kataoka, Ko Nishimura, and Ryohei Uchida star. 125 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR The Great Killing (1964)Director Eiichi Kudo's follow-up to "13 Assassins," the second film in his "Samurai Revolution" trilogy, tells a gripping 17th-century story of intrigue and violence inspired by the real-life assassination of a Japanese socialist leader. In the film, a group of rebels makes plans to overthrow the ruling shogun. Even their capture and torture they regard as only a temporary roadblock to their ultimate victory. Toru Abe, Mikijiro Hira, and Yoshio Inaba star. 118 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR 11 Samurai (1966)The concluding film of Eiichi Kudo's "Samurai Revolution" trilogy follows the intrigue that sets in after the Oshi monarch is murdered by the villainous son of the former Shogun. Eleven Oshi warriors must then step forward to defend the clan's honor after it is implicated in the lord's killing-even if it means they must die in the fight. Junko Miyazono, Isao Natsuyagi star. 100 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR Widescreen; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailers.