The 5th movie in the Lone Wolf and Cub Series – Lone Wolf & Cub – Baby Cart in the Land of Demons is a top Japanese swordsplay film with plenty of gore from 1973.
If you’re unfamiliar with the back story, check out our review of Shogun Assassin (which is basically the first 2 films Sword of Vengeance and Baby Cart at River Styx mixed into one film and dubbed for US audiences in 1980).
You’ve got the father and son team Ogami Itto (Lone Wolf) and Daigoro (Cub) living their chosen life of Bloodshed on the open road. When Ogami is attacked by a travelling Samurai inorder to secure a job, he is put through a very long ‘interview process’ (as I like to call it).
He is to be attack by five men, including the first. Each man is to test his skill and to determine if he is the real Lone Wolf. With each attack and kill he will receive gold toward payment, and a little bit more information behind the job.
Obviously, Ogami easily defeats all 5 men and takes the job.
From there it’s simple – he heads out to finish his mission, meeting a some resistance and odd characters along the way – in typical travelling adventurer style.
Daigoro is the real star!
Well, for a small part of the film at least…
Just like Shogun Assassin, Daigoro proves himself to be quite a warrior, even for a small child.
While he isn’t out chopping up opponents viciously, he behaves and carries himself as a warrior. This was most interestingly displayed in the movie when Daigoro crossed paths with a young woman, who happens to be a wanted pick pocket called Quick Change Oyo.
On the run after a Samurai catches her picking his pocket, Oyo leaves the Samurai’s diary with Daigoro, after walking pass him taking a leak. She makes Daigoro promise not to tell anyone and gives him the diary before running off.
The Samurai find Daigoro with the diary, and publicly threaten to beat him as a means to draw out Oyo. After no one owns up, and even with his father watching, Daigoro is flogged in public – refusing to release any information and not even letting out a single weep or moan despite the harsh and painful punishment he is given.
Even when Oyo admits to the crime, Daigoro holds true to his promise, copping punishment with an unflinching silence.
This whole warriors attitude is a big theme between Lone Wolf and Cub, and adds something a little extra to their characters.
The Action & Martial Arts
I love these 70’s samurai movies!
As with Shogun Assassin -I can some up a lot with one word – Blood.
Blood sprays and shoots out in the amazing cult style these kinds of movies are known for. It’s bright red and looks pretty fake, but there’s just something cool about it.
On top of the blood the action in this movie is actually revved up a little. Ogami Itto is the man, using many different and entertaining ways to out fight and out smart his enemies offering the killing blow with precision (and blood!).
What I like are the pauses. As each man eyes off the with their swords drawn, they suddenly explode into action and slow again, as if waiting for the right time to strike. It represents what would seem to be fairly accurate in my mind and is pretty cool to see – especially when mixed with the anime style blood and obviously fake deaths cut into the scenes.
The Verdict?
Another Lone Wolf and Cub success. If you don’t like fake blood and old Japanese cult martial arts films – not for you. Otherwise, give it a go and you may enjoy it!
On DVD –
Region A (US & Canada)
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons
