The Sonny Chiba Thread

[g053584398]

Originally Posted by bdc

Yep,Time Slip is great,thinking of upgrading to the 2-discer...
Anyone knows what exactly the extras are on that one?

I haven't got the 2 DVD edition of Time Slip, but I've seen screenshots and the image quality is superior to other English-friendly editions. A fine film in my opinion, although you can't really go wrong when it comes to Sonny Chiba.

As for special features I think the 2 DVD set features interviews with Chiba and some other cast members on the second DVD.

[g053584398]

Originally Posted by antmumford

I've never seen a Sonny Chiba film and yes I am extremely embarrassed about that, where's a good place to start?

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk

I would rather watch Sonny Chiba in action than any other martial arts stars including Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung or Bruce Lee. Although I do love their films too.

As for a place to start Ant, I would say that The Killing Machine is one of his best; not to mention one of the greatest martial arts films ever made in my estimation.

[InDogWeTrust]

Originally Posted by g053584398

I would rather watch Sonny Chiba in action than any other martial arts stars including Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung or Bruce Lee. Although I do love their films too.

As for a place to start Ant, I would say that The Killing Machine is one of his best; not to mention one of the greatest martial arts films ever made in my estimation.

I love Bruce Lee! ...Closely followed by Chiba but Lee is definitely the best.
Most Jackie Chan's early stuff is great (Very fun) stuff like Wheels On Meals, My favourite Jackie Chan film. His more recent stuff though, Most of the English speaking films...LAME!

[antmumford]

Originally Posted by g053584398

I would rather watch Sonny Chiba in action than any other martial arts stars including Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung or Bruce Lee. Although I do love their films too.

As for a place to start Ant, I would say that The Killing Machine is one of his best; not to mention one of the greatest martial arts films ever made in my estimation.

Cheers for the heads up, looking forward to this one then if it's one of the best martial arts films ever

[DeadAlive]

Streetfighter is classic but I think The Killing Machine is a good place to start too. It has a bit more emotional depth.

[g053584398]

A great way to build up your Sonny Chiba collection would be to get hold of some of the better quality box-sets that are available. The downside is that many of them are now out-of-print. I was lucky enough to pick the better ones up for ridiculously cheap prices a couple of years ago, but prices have since risen considerably.

Anyway I would recommend the following:

Lethal Chiba [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]: Amazon.co.uk: Sonny Chiba: Film & TV
Sonny Chiba: Masutatsu Oyama Trilogy DVD Region 1 US Import NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Sonny Chiba: Film & TV
Samurai Collection Featuring Sonny Chiba DVD Region 1 US Import NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Sonny Chiba: Film & TV
Sonny Chiba Collection DVD Region 1 US Import NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Sonny Chiba: Film & TV
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...s_ohs_product_

This one is also worth consideration, although one of the Yakuza Deka films was trimmed very slightly by the BBFC:

Sonny Chiba Collection Volume 1 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Sonny Chiba: Film & TV

[g053584398]

Originally Posted by DeadAlive

Streetfighter is classic but I think The Killing Machine is a good place to start too. It has a bit more emotional depth.

The Streetfighter series of films are great though and are some of the best action-oriented films that I've ever seen.

There is something so potent about '70s Japanese exploitation cinema.

[mr 420]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned that he is a legit hard man, training under such masters as Sensi Oyama and Soke Hatsumi. I would love to see him take on (and wipe the floor with) Seagal.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by g053584398

The Streetfighter series of films are great though and are some of the best action-oriented films that I've ever seen.

There is something so potent about '70s Japanese exploitation cinema.

Fantastic.Chiba's ultimate films IMO.

[g053584398]

I wish that more of his films from that golden period were available in English-friendly and officially licensed editions. Mind you, I would also like to see more films directed by Teruo Ishii and Norifumi Suzuki and the like released as well.