Sword Devil (1965) Ken Ki | Region-Free (Blu-Ray)

Title: Sword Devil (1965)

Alternate Title: Ken Ki

Genre: Action, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
Hanpei, a kind-hearted young samurai, is ostracized due to rumors of his mysterious parentage, which claim he is the offspring of a woman and a dog. His life changes when he witnesses a masterful quick-draw sword technique by an enigmatic ronin. Inspired, Hanpei becomes the ronin’s disciple, quickly mastering the art of iai-do. His skill draws the attention of his lord, who assigns him assassination missions to suppress knowledge of the lord’s deteriorating mental state. As Hanpei becomes embroiled in the clan’s strife, he must reconcile his peaceful nature with the demands of his deadly new role.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Kenji Misumi
• Writers:
  • Seiji Hoshikawa
  • Renzaburô Shibata (novel)
• Cast:
  • Raizô Ichikawa as Hanpei
  • Michiko Sugata as Osaki
  • Kei Satô as Secretary Kikuma Kambe
  • Ryûtarô Gomi as Zen Priest
  • Gorô Mutsumi as Tomozô

IMDb Link:
Ken Ki (1965)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Janus Films – ★★★★☆
   “Raizô Ichikawa plays the reluctant warrior to perfection in ‘Kenki,’ a brazenly unique hybrid of the samurai, supernatural, and romance genres.”
2. Filipe Furtado – ★★★★☆
   “Tight and streamlined, moving like a lot of Misumi’s work towards an appointment with death that is both curse and freedom. Wonderful shot, such great colors and framing.”
3. Corey – ★★★★☆
   “An effective blend of a character navigating moral conflict through agency and action, with an unbeatable use of runtime for what seems far more expansive than it is.”

Meta Description:
Sword Devil (1965), also known as Ken Ki, is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kenji Misumi. The story follows Hanpei, a humble gardener turned skilled swordsman, who is drawn into clan intrigue and must confront his pacifist ideals. The film stars Raizô Ichikawa in a nuanced performance as the reluctant warrior.