Eureka Entertainment to release Legend of the Eight Samurai [Satomi hakken-den] (1983), Kinji Fukasaku’s epic adventure featuring Sonny Chiba and an ensemble cast. Available on Blu-ray in the UK and North America in February, the film is being released as 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 Fukasaku Kinji (Battle Royale), Legend of the Eight Samurai brings together an impressive ensemble cast, including Yakushimaru Hiroko (Sailor Suit and Machine Gun), Sanada Hiroyuki (Ringu), Sonny Chiba (Message from Space) and Shihomi Etsuko (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 (Natsuki Mari).

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 Kamata Toshio's Shin Satomi Hakkenden, itself an adaptation of Bakin Kyokutei’s earlier epic novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden. The Masters of Cinema series presents the film on Blu-ray outside of Japan from a new 4K restoration.

Legend of the Eight Samurai will be released on Blu-ray by Eureka Entertainment as part of the Masters of Cinema collection on 17 February 2025 in the UK at the RRP of £15.65, and on 18 February 2025 in North America at the SRP of $39.95.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES:

• 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 Fukasaku Kinji's son, filmmaker Fukasaku Kenta
• New video essay by film historian and critic Stuart Galbraith IV
• Theatrical trailer
• Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Tom Mes, co-founder of the Midnight Eye website

The Japanese convention of family name first has been used throughout this news story.