Starring - Tetsuro Tanba (The 7th Dawn, Demon Pond), Goro Ibuki (Kamen Rider Decade, The Blood of Wolves), and Tatsuo Endo (Audition, Legend of the Devil)
Release Date - 1973
Genre - Action/Drama
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I wasn't always a horror fan. While the horror bug bit me when I was young, I was normal up to that point. I enjoyed watching anything with dinosaurs, cartoons, robots, outer space, and martial arts (kung fu). I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and spent most of the time watching the Sci-Fi Channel before the rebranding. When she wasn't watching Sci-Fi, we would watch random videos I would rent from the local video store. These movies ranged from random mid-90s family flicks like Heavy Weights, The Big Green, Steel, and so on. However, I would sometimes find some classic 70s martial arts flicks to watch. My grandma didn't care for these films but I absolutely loved them. I've been fortunate enough to receive a few of these films for review over the years and always look forward to checking them out while reminiscing about all the times I made my poor grandma watch these with me. A few weeks back my friends over at Mondo Macabro sent over a blu copy of their release Bohachi Bishido: Code of the Forgotten Eight. I had never seen this one before and couldn't wait to check it out. Like always, I would like to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!
The film follows a man who attempts suicide but is rescued by two prostitutes. The prostitutes are under the protection of the Bohachi Bishido who are an emotionless clan that rules over their prostitutes and their turf. However, when a rival gang creeps into their land running prostitutes, they send in their newest member, the suicide survivor, take care of them. His ruthless blood shed captures the sights of the local authorities which brings them snooping around their illegal trade.
I went into Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight completely blind. I knew absolutely nothing about it and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was an early 70s martial arts film that is also a pink, or pinku, flick. Many of you may recall that when I discovered sexploitation, it didn't take long for me to find an interest in Japan's pinku and China's CAT III, so a film that is equal parts martial arts and sleazy pinku is right up my alley. The acting in this is a lot of fun. We have a lot of memorable characters that bring a lot of personality and energy to the scene. We also have beautiful women baring it all to get the film that pinku status. The story for this one is a bit more sleazier than you would expect from a typical martial arts flick of the time. Most of the films like this that I've reviewed followed someone who trained their entire life to seek revenge against some sort of master that wronged them or their family. It's a generic story but it's still fun when you mix in other elements. However, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight is an extremely raunchy tale of prostitutes, freeing yourself from social constructs and emotional burdens, and nudity. Lots of nudity. As much as I enjoyed this story, I did find it to be a bit boring at times and not even the beautiful skin of the cast could speed the story along. Finally, the film does have some blood and some cheap effects. Martial arts films of this time did have some blood and some over the top effects that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. Sadly, this one doesn't really meet my expectations. I do believe that the team behind this one knew that and used the nudity as a way to make up for it. Overall, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight is a fun and sleazy martial arts flick. It may not be my favorite Mondo Macabro release but god damn did I enjoy it. It's far from perfect but that's part of the charm. Check it out on blu and be sure to grab a few beers!
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