Eureka Entertainment Announces the Release of LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI on Blu-ray

Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. ©KADOKAWA 1983

Kinji Fukasaku’s Epic Adventure Blends Fantasy with Historical Drama
Source: MVD Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski

Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. ©KADOKAWA 1983

Eureka Entertainment is proud to announce the release of LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI (里見八犬伝, Satomi Hakken-den, 1983), Kinji Fukasaku’s epic adventure featuring Sonny Chiba, arriving on Blu-ray February 18th. This release is part of The Masters of Cinema Series, in a Limited edition of 2000 copies (per territory), exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector’s booklet.

A Japanese box-office sensation directed by the revered Kinji Fukasaku (BATTLE ROYALE), LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI brings together an impressive ensemble cast, including Hiroko Yakushimaru (SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN), Hiroyuki Sanada (THE RING, SHOGUN), Sonny Chiba (THE STREET FIGHTER, MESSAGE FROM SPACE, KILL BILL VOL. 1) and Etsuko Shihomi (THE STREET FIGHTER), in a sweeping epic that blends fantasy with historical drama.

The Satomi Clan have been all but wiped out by their mortal enemies: the ghoulish members
of the undead Hikita Clan. The last Satomi survivor is Princess Shizu (Yakushimaru), who goes into hiding to avoid meeting the same fate as her family. Left to wander on her own, she eventually becomes entangled with farmer-turned-soldier Shinbei (Sanada) and then a pair of warrior monks who reveal themselves to be two of eight fabled Hakkenden – or “Dog Warriors” – who can lift the curse that has been placed upon her family. Together, they must find the rest of the Hakkenden and take on the leader of the Hikita Clan: the evil Tamazusa (Mari Natsuki).

Following MESSAGE FROM SPACE, which transported the story to a science fiction setting, LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI is Fukasaku’s second loose adaptation of Toshio Kamata's Shin Satomi Hakkenden, itself an adaptation of Kyokutei Bakin’s earlier epic novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the film on Blu-ray outside of Japan from a new 4K restoration.

Running Time: 136 Minutes
Number of Discs: 1
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Region Code: 0
SKU: EKV70561
UPC: 760137173427
Sreet Date: 02/18/25
List Price: $39.95

Region Code: B
SKU: EKA70561
UK Rating: 15
Street Date: 02/17/25
RRP: £17.99

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES:

• Limited edition of 2000 copies only

• Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Chris Malbon

• 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 4K restoration

• Uncompressed original Japanese audio and alternate English dub track

• Optional English subtitles

• New audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Joe Hickinbottom

• New Interview with Kinji Fukasaku's son, filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku

• New video essay by film historian and critic Stuart Galbraith IV

• Theatrical trailer

• PLUS: Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Tom Mes, co-founder of Midnight Eye

About Eureka Entertainment

Eureka Entertainment is the leading independent distributor of classic silent/early films in the UK. Its catalogue also contains World Cinema, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Indie Dramas, Hollywood Classics, Comedy and Thriller films as well as a wide selection of TV titles, providing the diversity and selection necessary to continue to satisfy today’s market demands and to power the digital video revolution for years to come.

In 2004, Eureka! established the award winning Masters of Cinema Series, a specially curated director-led Blu-ray and DVD collection of classic and world cinema using the finest available materials for home viewing. In 2014, Eureka! established Eureka! Classics intended to highlight a broader selection of classic and cult cinema, and in 2017, Eureka! established Montage Pictures, a label celebrating ground-breaking and thought-provoking world cinema from new and upcoming directors.

About MVD Entertainment Group

MVD Entertainment Group is a full service music and movie distribution firm, exclusively representing thousands of audio and visual products for DVD, Bluray, CD, vinyl, and digital rights, worldwide. MVD also exclusively distributes a growing line of merchandise including limited edition collectibles, tee shirts, and more. â€œServing Artists and Audiencesâ€ is MVD's purpose statement; it represents a commitment to the interests of the musicians, filmmakers, record labels, producers, managers, and every link in the supply chain. The customers are the Audience, from wholesalers, sub-distributors, major retail chains, online retailers, specialists, and independent mom and pop stores, all the way to the consumer. MVD Entertainment Group was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran with prior experience with The Record Hunter, Sam Goody, CBS Retail, and JEM Distribution. Tom, along with his family Elinor, Eve and Ed, initially focused on music videotapes. At the turn of the century, with the advent of DVD, MVD built a large catalog of exclusively distributed audiovisual content on DVDs, with special strength in music concert films, horror movies, documentaries, comedy, cult classics, and much more.