Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons

About Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons

The fifth installment in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, "Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons" was released in 1973. Directed by Kenji Misumi, the film continues the story of Ogami Ittō, the disgraced former executioner turned assassin-for-hire, and his young son Daigoro as they travel through feudal Japan.

The plot of "Baby Cart in the Land of Demons" finds Ittō hired by a group of five messengers who speak only through enemy combat and death, to kill their lord's rival before he can reveal their lord's secret madness. This leads to a story packed with tactical espionage, gritty combat and deeply rooted themes of honor, duty and the bond between father and son.

Making / Production

This movie was produced by Shintaro Katsu and Hisaharu Matsubara, under the banner of Katsu Productions. It features the combination of Samurai action with the Spaghetti Western stylings that the series is known for.

Actors

• Tomisaburo Wakayama as Ogami Ittō. Wakayama once again brilliantly portrays the role of Ittō, a father with a stoic facade who harbors a deep love and care for his son.
• Akihiro Tomikawa as Daigoro. Showing remarkable maturity for his young age, Tomikawa convincingly portrays a young boy navigating the brutal realities of life in feudal Japan.
• Shingo Yamashiro as Lord Kuroda. Yamashiro plays his role with grace and potency, showing the inner turmoil of a Lord torn between duty and his own sanity.
• Michiyo Ohkusu as Lady Kuroda, adding an extra layer of intrigue and tension to the story with her powerful performance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is also known under its alternative title, 'Shogun Assassin 4: Five Fistfuls of Gold'.
• It is based on the best-selling manga series "Lone Wolf and Cub" by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, which has sold over 8 million copies worldwide.
• The series is considered to have influenced many western films, including 'Road to Perdition' and 'John Wick'.

Awards

The film, while immensely popular and well-regarded, does not appear to have received any award nominations or wins.

Quotes

• "When one is entrapped by evil, only the sword of a demon can defeat it."
• "With my skills and this baby cart, this land is a demon's paradise."
• "Even if it's the River Sanzu itself, my son and I will ford it as duty demands."

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting and evocative musical score was composed by Hideaki Sakurai, further adding to the film's unique atmosphere.