Sonny Chiba's The Executioner appreciation thread

[isamu]

Hi guys. Just finished watching both Executioner movies back to back. I absolutely love these films by Chiba. To me, the first one is better than any of the Street Fighter films. A truly underrated classic.

One thing about the first film I may be in the minority on, is that I actually prefer the English dub to the original Japanese dialog. I guess it's due to the fact that that is the version originally saw on network TV many years ago when I was merely 13yrs old(I'm 34 now). I grew up watching this film on an old VHS tape and was happy to hear about its dvd release. I own both the Crash Cinema and the Adness version. The Crash Cinema version is English audio only, but has horrible picture quality and suffers from a few strange cuts(Chiba's fight with the black guy). The Adness version however, looks spectacular in comparison and is fully uncut but available in Japanese language with English subs. I'm so used to the dub I actually prefer to watch the Crash Cinema version despite the subpar picture quality.


By the way, regarding Yutaka(Doris) Nakajima. Is she drop dead gorgeous in these films or what? I am in LOVE with her! Can anyone recommend any other films she might be in besides Executioner I & II, and The Streetfighter?

[bamboo spear]

Was this the one that had the Wrestling Cannibal from Sicily and the Underground Boxer? I think I got it as a part of the Kill Chiba boxset. I remember really enjoying it, but everyone says the sequel isn't very good.

[Alex]

As much as I love Streetfighter, I have to say The Executioner was my favorite Chiba until a good copy of Karate Warriors popped up. I can't even logically explain why, as Streetfighter has better fights and more Chiba, I guess the o.t.t. insanity of the Executioner just leaves me awestruck. The second one plays mostly for laughs so it's a whole different bird all together.

[Fankles]

Loved that movie. I try to see as many Japan Action Club movies as I can. I haven't seen its sequel though.

[venoms5]

EXECUTIONER 2 has some seriously insane comedy in it. One scene in particular has Chiba and one of his partners braving a ceiling with deadly laser beams below them. Chiba farts and blows the smell towards his partner who begins to lose his grip. His satchel catches fire from the lasers. Chiba takes his time getting to the other side causing the other guy to catch on fire. Once across, Chiba proceeds to stomp the guy then pisses all over him to put the fire out. Chiba gives this guy hell throughout. A right hilarious movie. It gets violent during the end though. It's a different experience from the first film though.

Isamu, I agree totally with you about Nakajima. She is gorgeous!:D Can't think of anything else I've seen her in at the moment.

[isamu]

EXECUTIONER 2 has some seriously insane comedy in it. One scene in particular has Chiba and one of his partners braving a ceiling with deadly laser beams below them. Chiba farts and blows the smell towards his partner who begins to lose his grip. His satchel catches fire from the lasers. Chiba takes his time getting to the other side causing the other guy to catch on fire. Once across, Chiba proceeds to stomp the guy then pisses all over him to put the fire out. Chiba gives this guy hell throughout. A right hilarious movie. It gets violent during the end though. It's a different experience from the first film though.

Isamu, I agree totally with you about Nakajima. She is gorgeous!:D Can't think of anything else I've seen her in at the moment.

Excellent post! Part II was a bit too kooky for me but it was still funny. Just wish there was more action. I really like the music in these movies as well. The soundtrack kicks ass!

And yeah man, I would totally shag Nakajima. I honestly can't believe she didn't turn out to be a mega superstar in Japan with those gorgeous looks! Can't ANYONE find any other movies she's in beside these two and The Streetfighter?

[ToothbrushFu]

And yeah man, I would totally shag Nakajima. I honestly can't believe she didn't turn out to be a mega superstar in Japan with those gorgeous looks! Can't ANYONE find any other movies she's in beside these two and The Streetfighter?

Isn't she also in The Killing Machine?

[SlothStyleKungFu]

In the first film, Sonny steps in paint, just so they can have a bit where he kicks a guy and leaves a big paint footprint on the guys chest. I mean, what can you say? That is just awesome.

The second one is waaaayyyy too silly for my tastes, but it has enough effective bits (even the goofy stuff) that I'll pop it in and watch it with some fast forwarding (and, hey, it did give me my current avatar).

Yutaka Nakajima was in a lot of Sonny Chiba flicks, but her career (even as a third stringer) seemed to kinda' teeter out in the late 70's. To the best of my knowledge, she still sporadically found work in the 80's and 90's.

[Karlos]

I think Sue Shihomi was the blueprint for Chun Li at the end of Executioner 2!!!

[AlbertV]

Just watched the first one on Showtime Extreme last week and loved it. Yasuaki Kurata made for excellent supoort and loved the final shot of the movie...classic :)

[kungfusamurai]

I think the reason why this movie is more enjoyable is the fact that there isn't those crazy shakey extreme closeups during the fight scenes. So you can appreciate the choreography and body movements more. But Kurata almost steals the film. I think he got a raw deal the way he went out (especially his last line, which was silly):

Mt3d1JQ3fwE

KFS

[Lo Lieh]

Was this the one that had the Wrestling Cannibal from Sicily and the Underground Boxer? I think I got it as a part of the Kill Chiba boxset. I remember really enjoying it, but everyone says the sequel isn't very good.

Its def. in the Kill Chiba Boxset. I own it too. It came with Golgo 13, and Bulletrain as well. I also received three copies of the picture on the boxset with him holding a gun inside. I always thought it was messed up from the company. Anyways, its an awesome flick and one of my favourite Sonny Chiba films of all time.

I need to see the second part though. Haven't had the urge to order it yet and I also want to see "The Killing Machine". I hear that one is awesome. Is there an english dub version of TKM anyone know of???

[kungfusamurai]

I also received three copies of the picture on the boxset with him
I need to see the second part though. Haven't had the urge to order it yet and I also want to see "The Killing Machine". I hear that one is awesome. Is there an english dub version of TKM anyone know of???

On a few of those old Brentwood multi-film sets, like this one:

http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID.2753/qx/details.htm

KFS

[Lo Lieh]

On a few of those old Brentwood multi-film sets, like this one:

http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID.2753/qx/details.htm

KFS

Cool, but then if I get that one I'd be sacrificing widescreen for english dub. I think I'd rather widescreen and deal with subs...its not bad it just makes for a different experience.

[Alex]

FYI, a 'standalone' english dub dvd of Killing Machine does exist, I've held it in my hands. I'm pretty sure it's fullscreen, I didn't bother buying it since I already had the new brentwood edition

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Cool, but then if I get that one I'd be sacrificing widescreen for english dub. I think I'd rather widescreen and deal with subs...its not bad it just makes for a different experience.

Not only widescreen, but MUCH better picture quality. Widescreen is the easy choice here.

[Lo Lieh]

FYI, a 'standalone' english dub dvd of Killing Machine does exist, I've held it in my hands. I'm pretty sure it's fullscreen, I didn't bother buying it since I already had the new brentwood edition

See, I don't like full screen at all. If a widescreen english dub existed I'd be happy. Until then I'm just gonna buy the widescreen and prey they release a widscreen english dub some day.

I agree widescreen is the easy choice here Morgoth!

[Neon Samurai]

I think Sue Shihomi was the blueprint for Chun Li at the end of Executioner 2!!!

Chun Li and Shihomi look so similar that it's borderline plagerism/identity theft! :smile:

The trailer shows Sue fighting in her Sister Street Fighter garb. Was this a deleted scene?