Shogun Assassin | 1980 | USA/Japan | Robert Houston & Kenji Misumi

For many years, Shogun Assassin was considered to be on the main video nasties list, until it was revealed only recently that it was in fact a Section 3 title. The film is actually a re-edited version of two films in the Japanese Lone Wolf and Cub series, specifically the first entries Sword of Vengeance and Baby Cart at the River Styx. After the betrayal by his own Shogun which has left his wife murdered, executioner Ogami and his infant son Diagoro live a transient life on the road together, with Ogami working as a sword for hire. Unfortunately, they soon discover that the Shogun has marked the pair for death and they must fend off countless attacks from various would-be assassins, until the arrival of the Supreme Ninja indicates a potential turning point in the pair’s favour. Redubbed in English and supplied with new soundtrack materials, the film was incredibly successful in the US and European markets, though the arterial bloodshed of the traditional chanbara cinematography was less well received by the British authorities.