Remembering Martial Arts Legend Sonny Chiba
The Kill Bill and Street Fighter actor passed this week at 82.
The actor and former gymnast studied martial arts during this 1960s, and found a love for karate. He then followed in Bruce Lee’s footsteps, landing roles in Japanese films and TV shows. His work with the influential Toei studio helped launch him in into movies that would be seen outside of Japan – movies that were noticed by directors like Quintin Tarantino.
He loved playing villians and anti-heroes. Here are some of his best…
The Street Fighter Movies
The first movie was Chiba’s big break outside of Japan and he shines. The trilogy follows mercenary Terry Tsurugi as he fights the Yakuza and the mob. If you like John Wick or any close combat movie that involves criminal organizations and mercs, you need to watch these. They influenced the ones you already like.
The Killing Machine
Based on a true story – Doshin So, a champion of justice and former spy, fights a bunch of black market gangs and criminals using Shao Lin. He’s a Robin Hood like figure with a furious kick and a mission to help his community survive the immediate fall out in post war Japan.
via Vulture Graffix
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
Kinji Fukasaku’s Yakuza saga that inspired directors Takashi Miike, Quentin Tarantino, and others. The second movie of the pentalogy focuses on gambler Shoji Yamanaka and gang member Katsutoshi Otomo (played by Chiba) as they exact revenge against each other’s misdeeds and navigate the politics of Yakuza families. It’s more action oriented than the rest of the series, and showcases Chiba’s acting and fighting talents.
You don’t have to watch the first movie to enjoy this one, but you should anyway.
Karate Bear Fighter
Chiba plays Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin karate in Japan, in the second installment of Karate Baka Ichidai trilogy. The fights are fantastic and it’s a good story. The title is literal – there is a fight with a [person in a] bear [suit].
Legend of the Eight Samurai
Set in feudal Japan, a novice (played by Chiba) has to fight eight dog-warriors, a witch queen, and a deadly centipede to lift a curse and save a princess who is on the run from her family’s enemies. This fantasy also stars Hiroyuki Sanada.
Kill Bill
Tarantino brought on several martial arts greats for the pair of movies – David Carradine, Jun Kunimura, Akaji Maro, and Chia-Hui Liu. Chiba plays bar keep and sword maker Hattori Hanzo.
A former assassin, known simply as The Bride, wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fueled by an insatiable desire for revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. After devising a hit list, The Bride sets off on her quest, enduring unspeakable injury and unscrupulous enemies.
via A Band Apart
