Customer Reviews

Six-String Samurai

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I consider a 'B Movie' to be a film that is not only made with a small budget, but also a film that has a lack of creativity and entertainment value as well. 'Six-String Samurai' has none of those problems with it. It was a post-modern 'melting pot' idea that gave birth to it and only those who can understand and recognise the homages to the past can get the reason for the plot. The basic idea is that there is no deep plot and it's just a mix of the filmakers favorite things captured on film in various genre's. There is, however, the attempt to suggest that the only reason that Buddy Holly wasn't deemed the king of Rock and Roll was because he died before he could take over and what he was replaced with was a showboat who didn't know a thing about rock and roll because he was a popstar. An attachment to this idea is the thought that not even today's axe grinders could match up to him and this is played out by the dueling guitars between 'Buddy' and 'Death' at the end. There might be other ideas, but my review is getting long so I'll get technical. The production design, lighting, and cinematography are very good considering the fact that their influences were primarily Westerns, Chop suey Kung Fu pictures, and 50's surf videos. This bizarre mix of influences is also shown in the soundtrack as well which is a mix of tracks done by the Red Elvises and a score by Brian Tyler. The Red Elvises changed their sound to a spaghetti/surf/dixieland/ feel that's in tune with the film's humor and Tyler's score is in tune with the ridiculous, yet plausible dramatic aspect of the film. If most people would listen to Tyler's score I believe that they would want to see the film it was composed for and upon seeing it, most would probably say that it was a waste of good film music. As a closing thought I'd just like to say that the first time I saw the film I was amazed at the actual attempt to provide cinematography that had a personality to it and I also noticed the good quality of the action sequences because I've seen higher budgeted films have scenes that are choreographed with less enthusiasm. The energy and work put into this film is obvious, so I'd say that the film is above camp because that's not it's only selling point. It can be viewed as a tribute to the best in all of their favorite genres, but compiled into one film to save time and money.

A friend of mine saw this film during its limited theatrical release, and instantly recommended it to me. I saw it on VHS at his house, and my first impression was that this was a moderately enjoyable film, with a brilliant premise. The cinematography was top notch, and the soundtrack is EXCELLENT. It made the movie for me the first time. I liked it enough to buy both it on DVD and the soundtrack so I could show this amazingly wacked out film. After watching it several times, I fell in love completely. This movie is simultaneously a rock and roll fairy tale, a samurai film, a Road Warrior type film, and bracingly original. The Six String Samurai is fighting his way towards Lost Vegas to become King, but must fight off bowlers, an ENTIRE army of Russians, and Death (dressed like Slash from Guns and Roses) to claim his crown, with only his sword, his six string, and an arsenal of one-liners. Along the way he picks up an orphaned kid, who is admittedly incredibly annoying for the first half of the movie, and learns the true meaning of being a king. Add in references to the Wizard of Oz, and this film is a masterpiece. You'll laugh, and you may even get misty-eyed by the end. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something different. You won't regret it. The DVD has one notable feature for true fans of the film: some music videos from the Red Elvises (who provide a majority of the soundtrack, and appear in the movie briefly), and who simply rock. If nothing else, you'll have a movie that will either impress or confuse your friends, both desirable results!

A post-apocalyptic, spaghetti western, rock-n-roll Samurai film? Yep. That pretty much sums up SIX-STRING SAMURAI. It's quirky. It's B-movie all the way. It's wonderful.

What we have here is a film shot on weekends on a minuscule budget in and around Death Valley, California. It also pays homage to many films; every Clint Eastwood spaghetti western ever made, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, Night of the Living Dead and, of course, The Wizard of Oz, just to name a few.

The movie was dubbed giving it a hokey spaghetti western feel that matched the production values perfectly (very low). "The Kid" in the film (Justin McGuire) was a carbon-copy of the mangy little guy that follows Mel Gibson around in Beyond Thunderdome. There's a family of cannibals and "The Windmillers" who represent the slow brain functions from Night of the Living Dead. And then there are the multiple references to The Wizard of Oz ("Just follow the yellow brick road").

The story's focus is on Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon), a six string carrying, Samurai sword wielding bad boy who wants to be the new "King" of "Lost Vegas." But first he has to get there. Traveling across the desert wasteland of the post-apocalyptic world, Buddy (who looks remarkably like Buddy Holly) has to slash, punch, and scratch his way toward The Emerald City (another Wizard of Oz reference that we see, Lost Vegas looking very much like the gateway to Oz's hometown). Along the way Buddy picks up "The Kid", a young boy who's mother was killed by humans resembling troglodytes. The Kid doesn't speak (initially) and only screams/moans whenever he wants Buddy's attention. But The Kid is good with mechanical objects (cars, motorcycles, bicycles) and the two form a grudging relationship as they travel together. The only issue between them is Buddy's priceless guitar which he nurtures more than The Kid ...in the beginning. But Buddy can play his six string as potently as he can don his sword, giving him a good shot at becoming the King of Lost Vegas.

On Buddy and The Kids' tail, however, is Death (represented as the four horseman of the apocalypse ...but without their horses). Death wants to be/remain the King and kills anyone who gets in his way, leaving a lot of rock-n-roll wannabes as corpses. And in front of Buddy and The Kid is the Russian Army (Oh! Did I forget to mention that the USSR took over the U.S. after it nuked us in 1957?)

After much bloodletting, Death and Buddy have their day on the sand. First comes a guitar duel (Death wields a wickedly good six string himself!), then the sword. But what will happen if Buddy wins? Can he be a true father-figure to The Kid? And what would happen to The Kid if Buddy died? Would Death take the little tike, too?

There are A LOT of well choreographed fight sequences (perhaps one or two too many). The camera work was done with an eye toward professionalism, never being herky-jerky or under -over exposed. The acting was okay. And the story was so ridiculous that suspending disbelief was quite fun. The dialogue often set the tone for the entire production, giving us some great bits like...

Death: "You have failed me for the last...hey, nice shoes." Then we watch Death kill the men wearing the shoes and walk away with new footwear.

The musical score is also pulled off well. The Red Elvises leant their music and themselves for the production (they are the ones with the nice shoes mentioned above). Their musical numbers reminded me very much of The Stray Cats (a band I liked).

If you don't mind low production standards but enjoy spoofs with a good, if somewhat ridiculous, script, then slip this little B-flick into your DVD player and bask in its foolishness. You won't be disappointed.

Wow

What can I say about this movie but WOW.

The title was a turn off to me at first, but after I was forced into watching it, I found myself sucked into this incredibly unique movie. It is very obviously a cult film, but don't let that deter you from enjoying it. It has some of the best cinematography, a great and funny story, as well as some great fight scenes. And lets not forget the great music by the Red Elvises (music vids on dvd). Based loosley on a reinterpretation of the Wizard of Oz, this film delivers a unique experience that your unlikley to forget. I still utter to my friends "Bow before the great and powerfull windmill god!". Even the kids (about 8yrs old) love this film.

Theres something here for everyone, and since no place is likely to rent it, buying is the only option. And I'm pretty sure youll love this film.

What a surreal, post-apoc adventure! One man's journey (both the physical and the emotional) to Lost Vegas to become the new king. Ok, so there isn't a real depth of character development, but its fun to watch all of the hokey settings and the bizarre encounters. There's a lot of fun-poking at the tv shows and culture of the 50s, with more than a nodding reference to the great and silly martial arts genre. Destined to be a long-lasting cult classic.

hello. Six-String Samurai. Hmm... where to start. This movie is awesome, I'll give it that much. Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon) is awesome, the setting is beyond reproach, the premise is original, and the filming is second to none. The soundtrack is without equal. But despite everything it has going for it, this movie is dissatisfying, and the reason why can be summed up in a quote from one of Death's henchmen: "The boy makes him very uncool." If you substitute 'it' for 'him,' this quote is an apt summary of the movie. You see, there's this boy in the movie, and he's terrible. He's always crying, and being onscreen, and I want to shoot myself every time I think of him. That's the only reason I give this movie 4 stars instead of 5: the boy. If you like awesome movies and don't mind crying kids who need to be smacked or shot, you'll love Six-String Samurai. If you like awesome movies and hate the above-mentioned type of child, you'll find the film sweet, yet disctinctively sour.

It's amazing. Your sitting there, hoping to god, that someone, someday, will make a good movie. Then your friend who works at a video store brings home a movie called "Six String Samurai". So you put it on the back burner, and continue watching your mindless cable shows like "Temptation Island". Finally your brain has gone into shock and you cant breath. Will nothing save you from this in-it-for-the-money, forget the story hell?? Yes. Six String Samurai will. You run to the stove, grab the movie and throw it in the vcr. And what plays upon this little screen before you is possibly one of the best pieces in cinematic history. A movie, possibly built around one liners, that has never a dull moment, entrances you. There's an amazing plot meant to be laughed at and cinematography meant to be praised. You finish the movie with a tear in your eye, joy in your heart, and quirky one-liners in your head you plan on using on your friends when the time is right. And yes, yes, you now feel like picking up the guitar again, and perhaps taking some martial art classes. But most of all, you can breath again, knowing that the Six String Samurai is out there, watching over you. Protecting you from the inherent evil that is bad cinema.

Who knew? I always thought I wanted to be a cop, or a fireman, or even a computer programmer. Turns out what was really right for me was to be come a guitar wielding, katana swinging bada** wandering the wastelands of a post-apocolyptic US, on a sacred quest to become the next King. So there you have it, this movie changed my life. Too cool for words hero, The Red Elvises ("Nice Shoes"), incredible cinamatography, what more could you want. Oh yeah, rockin' soundtrack. Got that too.

Great post-apocalyptic flick, and siberian surf rock to boot! In my humble opinion, any movie that combines alcohol, samurai swords, and Elvis being elected the King of Las Vegas deserves to be seen! The soundtrack is almost exclusively by the Red Elvises (see them live if you can), and they have a bit-part in the movie, too.

This movie made me laugh out loud. I love off-beat films and was TICKLED at each sword slinging, bubble gum in the trunk, death escaping turn. Pure entertainment and feel-good vibes. I wouldn't change a thing and hope 'Buddy' makes more films like this.