Product Details

• Actors: Masahiro Takashima
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC
• Language: Japanese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Section 23
• DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006IIPSA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,994 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Legend Comes to Life, July 13, 2004

By 

Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orochi: The Eight-Headed Dragon (DVD)

Toho, Inc. is probably best known currently for its character Godzilla. But Godzilla was a last minute project for the studios when a larger project was canceled well into production. I just watched a wonderful piece of Japanese mythology which is marketed in this country under the name of Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon.

Steeped in Japanese mythology and legend, Orochi begins with the Japanese story of creation. Millions of years later a Japanese emperor has twin sons. A powerful shaman warns that the second twin is evil and should be put to death. But the child is rescued by the White Bird of Heaven and raised in a shrine dedicated to the goddess of the Earth. The young prince grows to manhood under the shadow of a prophesy that says he will be a warrior of the gods.

The plot continues to thicken as the Shaman continues to speak against the young prince and the Shaman's motives begin to become suspect. The shaman was spawned by an evil god who tried to destroy the world eons ago. That god was exiled by the father of the gods but was soon to return. Prince Yamato Takeru is charged with stopping the Earth's destruction. Aided by the White Bird of Heaven and by his lady love, the prince confronts the newly-returned god. The god transforms into a giant dragon and begins his reign of destruction and enters the final battle.

This tale is one of Japan's greatest legends and is a superb movie. The marketing was obviously aimed at fans of monster movies but that is not the thrust of the film. Instead the viewer is immersed in the fascinatingly rich mythology and legends of Japan. Beautiful cinematography and acting that is superior to any monster movie add to the story line to tell a rich and fascinating tale. This is definitely one to watch.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's more than just the 8-headed dragon!, March 11, 2002

By 

J.P.van den Eeden (helmond, noord brabant Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orochi: Eight-Headed Dragon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a GREAT movie, not just a "monster movie"!
It has great action with (laser)swords and walking and fighting in the air and against walls! There's also a lot of magic present in this movie and there is more than only the 8-headed dragon! (I would call this movie: Magic,Monsters and Orochi-the 8-headed Dragon). A nice reference to the (new)Gamera movies is the amulet of the prince, it's the same as the girl who can talk to Gamera. In conclusion: good story, great action/monsters and magic, good colours, good acting.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, colorful and exciting, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Orochi: Eight-Headed Dragon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Wonderful fantasy film featuring terrific FX by Kochi Kawakita, the man behind the 1990s godzilla films. Based on legends of Shinto, this film is a fast paced adventure that will be sure to entertain. If you like the fantasy films of Ray Harryhausen, check this movie out.! The Lava Giant and 8 headed dragon are real highlights! so go buy this NOW!!