G.I. Samurai (DVD)

This film is based on a book by Japanese author Ryo Hanmura. The film when first released on video was called Time Slip, and it was as a kid that i first saw this. Totally enjoying it, I soon purchased it as an adult once it was available on DVD. This is Yet another quality film by Sonny Chiba, that just does not seem to get overlooked for Jackie Chan or Jet Li. The film is based on time travel, and whilst the beginning of the film is a little icky, ...
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Lieutenant Iba {Sonny Chiba} and his men are on a beach for a military training excercise. Not only are there troops but a tank, a gunboat, an helicopter and a jeep etc. Suddenly some strange phenomena occurs that the films never tires to explain, but suddenly these troops are transported back in time by 400 years to feudal Japan. The problem is that they have been transported into a bitter conflict for power. It is not long before they ... more

This film is based on a book by Japanese author Ryo Hanmura. The film when first released on video was called Time Slip, and it was as a kid that i first saw this. Totally enjoying it, I soon purchased it as an adult once it was available on DVD. This is Yet another quality film by Sonny Chiba, that just does not seem to get overlooked for Jackie Chan or Jet Li. The film is based on time travel, and whilst the beginning of the film is a little icky, if you stick with it there is a good film.

Lieutenant Iba {Sonny Chiba} and his men are on a beach for a military training excercise. Not only are there troops but a tank, a gunboat, an helicopter and a jeep etc. Suddenly some strange phenomena occurs that the films never tires to explain, but suddenly these troops are transported back in time by 400 years to feudal Japan. The problem is that they have been transported into a bitter conflict for power. It is not long before they are attacked by a band of men, that are soon scared of by the modern technology, especially when the weapons bark into life and kill a few of them. The take time to contemplate and try to rationalise what is going on. Iba's authority and control of the men is frequently challenged. On the one hand you have men saying theres nothing we can do, lets make the best of this, and others going hysterical in desperation to get back home. Some men even desert and attempt to take the gunboat, they have no real destination in mind, but seem to think if they journey long enough they will leave this nightmare. Iba catches up to them and is forced to kill them. With all this going on it is only a matter of time beforethe locals get in the mix again.

Nagao Kagetora is a samurai and War general for the local Lord Koizumi. Kagetora and a band of his aids, and men stumble upon Iba and his curiosity and unperturbed by what he sees Kagetora approaches them. I did wonder how myself but when the samurai converse with the modern Japanese soldiers they can understand each other perfectly, but i guess this helps the film run smoother. Iba introduces Kagetora to the weaponry and even lets him have a go. You see a glint in Kagetora's eyes, it gives him a great idea. As the interactions continue and Kagetora and Iba bond Kagetora makes a proposition.

...........Let's make war together. Lietenant Iba is a complex man, but decisions are made easier for him knowing he is responsible for his men. Not only that he knows it may be a long time before they get back home...if ever! Determined to make the best of the situation, Iba and his men aid Kagetora in his next battle, in this typically war torn era. With the combined force of modern technology and Kagetora with his samurai, it is a laughably easy victory. Kagetora takes the enemy generals head in great style.

ecstatic and drunk on victory, Kagetora sees the opportunity to put his real plan into action. What Kagetora is proposing is allied together, they destroy all the lords, including Kagetora's own lord Koizumi and they rule together. Without any consideration for the consequences, Iba shows that he is a power hungry, and somewhat unethical man. Even some of the men question some of the decisions including the real intentions of Kagetora. Kagetora reports back to his lord Koizumi on the success of the battle, Lord Koizumi knows nothing of the time travellers because naturally Kagetora kept this to himself. Suddenly Kagetora draws his sword and fells his lord, His men try to aid him but they are cut to pieces by helicopter fire. So it is done, Kagetora is a treacherous man, who has no limits to what he will do in his ultimate quest for power.

Kagetora and Lieutenant Iba start to spend a lot of time together, and irrespective of Kagetora's poor morality, a genuine and sincere friendship occurs. It is an interesting point in the film where two samurai from life times apart combine together and there is an understanding and a mutual respect. Yet even under these circumstances Kagetora is prepared to take advantage of his new found friend for his own agenda.

Kagetora explains that his army could never beat Lord Takeda Shingen's forces. What he proposes is for Iba and his men with their technology, crush Shingen, and Kagetora will defeat another rebel lord. {Shingen and the other lord are the last two for them to defeat}

Upon the battle field Iba and his men are gobsmacked and in awe, at the sheer magnitude of Shingen's force. There are literally thousands upon thousands of troops including cavalry, infantry, archers, muskets {match lock} ninja type warriors on horse back, the sheer mass of them is breath taking. With the sheer mass of overwhelming numbers as well as sheer tactics, Shingen starts to anhilate Iba, his men and is technology, including the helicopter. Iba and his men do destroy thousands of the enemy, and it is only then strangely enough does Iba contemplate the morality of what he is doing. As for the majority of his other men, they are terrified as they start to realise they are not so invulnerable behind their technology anymore. Iba and and several of the men escape the battle to a run down old farm house, including a Japanese woman who in the film becomes romantically involved with one of he soldiers. Their they await there doom thinking that Shingens men will eventually find them. Iba chucks aside his weapons, ties a headband to his head and decides to face his foe samurai style. Iba and his men hear samurai outside and go out to fight to the death. But to Iba's relief they are surrounded by Kagetora and his men. Kagetora has a beaming smile on his face when he sees his friend Iba and Iba smiles in return. But suddenly the smile leaves Kagetora's lips and becomes very stern, Kagetora's intentions are no longer ambiguous. Iba knows his fate. He raises his sword gives a battle cry and charges. In mere seconds they are all cut down. Yes Kagetora will not share his ablsolute power with anybody. After this scene it is very profound. Kagetora has so much respect for his friend and the men that got him where he is, he truly looks sad that he has done. He lays all the bodies out neatly and drapes symbolic samurai material over the corpses after stripping them of all the arrows etc. It is all a very powerful scene and Kagetora burns there bodies.

The film relies heavily on it's action sequences to entertain and it works. Even the contrast between old and new works extremely well. Considering the amount of men Iba has many get individual parts and the ones that don't are killed off very quickly. It is interesting seeing the relationship between Kagetora and Iba, and the exploitation of others to their own ends. The tape to DVD conversion is a good one. The soundtrack is typical seventies and nothing particuarly good, but does not take away from the goodness of the film. Sonny chiba's performance is a strong one as is most fo the cast and chiba's performance truly adds weight to the film. 

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