"Highly entertaining trilogy of movies that are basically a sleazy samurai version of Dirty Harry... Some sword fighting, lots of politically incorrect sex, and a powerful personality. The sequels only get better."

The character of Hanzo is indefensible. He is a sadomasochistic rapist and killer, and an ambitious climber, not above using blackmail to get up the greasy pole. But it's interesting to see him work. Clearly a new openness had entered Japanese movies at the time, and this is an odd exploration of its boundaries.

From a feminist standpoint, this has to be a very, very problematic film; Hanzo is a BADASS "samurai cop" swinging his natural sword (his cock) inside the rectums of females with potential information on the crime syndicates he's after... Sordid and elegant at the very same time, it presents the sleaze with rare finesse; visually restrained but thematically incontinent - it's a god damn pleasure.

WTF, since when is rape a police interrogation tactic? I guess it's a parody of the popular S&M films of the day, but this is still a pretty weird flick.

Bloody, perverted, action-packed and with an absolutely great soundtrack. Perfectly directed from the first to the last second. Definitely the best samurai film I've ever seen.

Haha. Leave your morals at home folks, and enjoy this for what it is, sleazy and perverted entertainment, complete with a too-cool-soundtrack. If you're in badly need of substance in your movies, you can view it as a big kick in the ass on every authority you've ever had a problem with.

If you are only as strong as your weakest part, Hanzo is numero uno, bar none.. Beautiful camerawork, so-so action scenes, interesting film. As hehejaja stated, this doesn't do wonders for women.