Six String Samurai (1998) Review
March 19th 2010 01:53
Let me make something clear, even though I adore the weird world of obscure movies, I loath most independent film. There are exceptions, but most of the time you can count on an independent film being high-minded slow paced beatnik garbage. There's a reason why big-name studios don't want most indie films, because there really isn't a market for a film about a transvestite hooker hooked on crack. However, Six String Samurai is one of those rare, but notable exceptions.
In 1998 hapless music video director Lance Mungia had an idea of what can be best described as a Rock and Roll Kung fu movie. Six String Samurai takes place in an alternate history where Russia bombed the united state in the 1950's and after the resulting invasion, the only free place left is Lost Vegas (sic) ruled by none other than Elvis Presley, becoming a literal king. After 40 years Elvis dies, and the word goes out over the wasteland (The radio broadcast featured a great Wolfman Jack impersonator) that Vegas needs a new king. Enter Buddy, a rock and roll warrior played by Olympic Silver Medal wining martial artist and Kung-fu movie veteran Jeffery Falcon. Buddy heads through the wasteland toward Vegas, combating bowlers, neanderthals, cannibals and what appears to be cosmonauts. The entire time, learning to care about more than himself as he takes care of an orphan he just calls “Kid” who seems to never talk
As the movie progresses, what started as a wacky self-parodying romp starts genuinely tugging on your heartstrings. Buddy faces off and kills rival king-wannabe (Who looks and talks just like Ritchie Valens) and laments having to kill the young man, plants his sword in the ground and declaring “I gotta find a new Gig” and turns his back. The kid grabs Buddy's sword, and gives it back to him, and in one of the few times the Kid speaks in the movie he tells the warrior “You can still be a good king”. Silly, and schlocky I know but it hits you. The film ends with a duel between Buddy, and Death, (Who purposely resembles Slash) an amazing sword fight worthy of any Shaw brothers picture.
The quirky soundtrack of the film is provided by the eccentric sounds of the “Red Elvises” a since defunct Russia based Rock-a-billy band that give the picture a near-perfect 1950's rock soundtrack with a distinctly Russian flair. They even have a cameo in the film playing a team of hapless and cowardly assassins after Buddy's head.
The team of Falcon and Mungia worked very hard to make this movie work, Falcon selling his sporting goods store and taking time away for a Hong Kong stuntman career, Mungia spending almost his entire life savings on film, equipment and actors. Sadly, while the movie was given almost nothing but positive reviews and even won a number of awards at Sundance and other independent film festivals, it didn't even make back half it's budget. Purhaps the saddest part of this is that this exelent film was supposed to be part of a trilogy, and as of this writing Lance Mungia's only other contribution to the film word as the strait to video seqel of “The Crow” and it seems Jeffery Falcon has disappeared entirely.
Still, the movie is fast, fun entertainment that garners a much-deserved cult following. If you get a chance to see this flick don't pass it up, and don't be afraid to laugh and cry and this unique bit of cinema kitch.
In 1998 hapless music video director Lance Mungia had an idea of what can be best described as a Rock and Roll Kung fu movie. Six String Samurai takes place in an alternate history where Russia bombed the united state in the 1950's and after the resulting invasion, the only free place left is Lost Vegas (sic) ruled by none other than Elvis Presley, becoming a literal king. After 40 years Elvis dies, and the word goes out over the wasteland (The radio broadcast featured a great Wolfman Jack impersonator) that Vegas needs a new king. Enter Buddy, a rock and roll warrior played by Olympic Silver Medal wining martial artist and Kung-fu movie veteran Jeffery Falcon. Buddy heads through the wasteland toward Vegas, combating bowlers, neanderthals, cannibals and what appears to be cosmonauts. The entire time, learning to care about more than himself as he takes care of an orphan he just calls “Kid” who seems to never talk
Buddy (Jefery Falcon) Rock n' Roll Warrior
The quirky soundtrack of the film is provided by the eccentric sounds of the “Red Elvises” a since defunct Russia based Rock-a-billy band that give the picture a near-perfect 1950's rock soundtrack with a distinctly Russian flair. They even have a cameo in the film playing a team of hapless and cowardly assassins after Buddy's head.
The team of Falcon and Mungia worked very hard to make this movie work, Falcon selling his sporting goods store and taking time away for a Hong Kong stuntman career, Mungia spending almost his entire life savings on film, equipment and actors. Sadly, while the movie was given almost nothing but positive reviews and even won a number of awards at Sundance and other independent film festivals, it didn't even make back half it's budget. Purhaps the saddest part of this is that this exelent film was supposed to be part of a trilogy, and as of this writing Lance Mungia's only other contribution to the film word as the strait to video seqel of “The Crow” and it seems Jeffery Falcon has disappeared entirely.
Still, the movie is fast, fun entertainment that garners a much-deserved cult following. If you get a chance to see this flick don't pass it up, and don't be afraid to laugh and cry and this unique bit of cinema kitch.
| 34 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
