Member Takuma Posted August 22, 2021 Member Share Posted August 22, 2021 (Chiba in Hepcat in the Funky Hat, 1961) Chiba tribute - part 1/3 I couldn't help but to write a very small tribute to Chiba's career. While Chiba is best known abroad for his karate films, there is so much more to him. Before becoming a karate hero, he was a popular idol in the early 60s when he appeared in detective films, youth dramas, war films, science fiction films, and superhero adventures. He debuted as an actor in the television superhero series New Seven Color Mask (1960) where he played the lead role, made his first film appearance in Police Department Story: Alibi (1961), and landed his first starring role in the Western influenced Wandering Detective: Tragedy in Red Valley (1961), which was Kinji Fukasaku's directorial debut.In the first three years of his film career alone, Chiba appeared in 36 movies! Among my favourite Chiba performances from the "Early Years" are an enthusiastic but naïve little brother in Fukasaku's gangster film Gang vs. G-Men (1962), a pacifist painter in the war drama The Navy (1963), a cheerful gymnastics teacher in the youth drama / musical film Here Because of You (1964), and a young man who becomes a political assassin in Sadao Nakajima's gripping true account Memoirs of Japanese Assassins (1969). A special mention goes to the superb Army Intelligence 33 (1968), a mixture of war time film noir and action, in which Chiba plays a suave spy first tasked with stealing secret information from a foreign diplomat, and later sent on a jungle commando mission. Chiba rose to stardom with the phenomenally popular detective / spy TV series Key Hunter (1968-1973). Chiba played one of the detectives alongside Tetsuro Tamba. He was also in charge of designing the action sequences and performing several death defying stunts, such as climbing out of a speeding car's window and grabbing on to a small air plane while it's taking off. This series is what Chiba is best known for among many older Japanese people, and what also led him to establish his own film school, Japan Action Club in 1970. Key Hunter marked the beginning of the 2nd phase in Chiba’s career, “Modern Action”. He would follow Key Hunter with films like the 4 film Yakuza Deka series (1970-1971), Jail Breakers (1976), G.I. Samurai (1979) and Adventurer Kamikaze (1981), which were full of crazy stunts similar to what would later be seen in Hong Kong Cinema in the 80s. (Chiba in Yakuza Deka 4: No Epitaphs for Us, 1971) Chiba was also a seminal figure in the gritty "Crime Films" of the 70s. He was a bearded avenger in Yakuza Wolf (1972), whose visual approach was influenced by both Japanese films and spaghetti westerns, particularly Sergio Corbucci's Django. Chiba made one his very best films with the skilfully written thriller A Narcotics Agent's Ballad (1972), in which he plays an undercover cop infiltrating a drug syndicate. Another drug themed film, Tokyo-Seoul-Bangkok Drug Triangle (1973), filmed in Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan, saw him act opposite Nora Miao. But the real game changer was Hiroshima Deathmatch (1973), which saw Chiba portray a villain for the first time. Originally cast as the main character, a last minute casting change placed Chiba in the boots of the film's barbaric villain, now recognized as the foundation for Chiba's later anti-heroes in films like The Street Fighter (1974) and Okinawa Yakuza War (1976). The latter featured Chiba as a karate-obsessed, out of control yakuza psychopath. One of his most charismatic turns was however playing a beard-faced gangster boss afraid for his family's safety in Okinawa 10 Year War (1978). Chiba’s biggest international success came with the “Karate Films” from 1974 onwards. Chiba had been pushing martial arts in films before, but there was a lack of domestic demand, and a lack of domestic talent. With JAC in full swing by 1973, and Chiba having found reliable collaborators such as martial arts master turned actor Masashi Ishibashi (first collaboration in Key Hunter, followed by Bodyguard Kiba 2 in 1973) and Etsuko Shihomi (stunt double in Bodyguard Kiba 1, actress in Bodyguard Kiba 2), the gang was finally together. Fast forward till Dec 1973, and Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon opens in Japan (it was the first Lee film distributed in Japan, with the rest to follow in 1974-1975) to a phenomenal success. Suddenly, the demand was there! Chiba was already in the middle of filming The Street Fighter (1974), which would hit the screens just 5 weeks later. The following year would see the introduction of excellent historical biopics from Karate Bullfighter (1975) to Killing Machine (1975) and the superbly written gem The Defensive Power of Aikido (1975), which starred Chiba's brother Jiro. But Chiba's most exhilarating film may be the absolutely brilliant noir / action / sci-fi / werewolf mashup Wolfguy (1975) which remains the only movie I've watched three times during the same day in theatre. (Return of the Street Fighter, 1974) After action and gangster films waned down in the late 70s, Chiba found perhaps his biggest calling in “Jidai Geki”. The massive ninja epic Shadow Warriors (1980-1985), in which he plays Hattori Hanzo, may be the best know abroad, however, his greatest role was portraying the one-eyed ninja Yagyu Jubei in film, on television and on stage. The incredible 39 episode Yaguy Clan Conspiracy (1979-1980) series may be the greatest work in Chiba career. He had already played the same character in Fukasaku’s Shogun’s Samurai (1978), and would return to the role in Samurai Reincarnation (1981). Chiba also delivered a heartfelt performance in Fukasaku's excellent 47 Ronin tale Swords of Vengeance (1978), and appeared in the same director's exhilarating samurai pop idol epic Legend of the Eight Samurai, starring Hiroko Yakushimaru and Hiroyuki Sanada. All this is just touching the surface on Chiba’s incredible career, not to mention his many roles from the 90s to present day. All the career phases mentioned above contain many, sometimes dozens of more noteworthy films, not to mention TV productions such as the awesome Kazuo Koike manga adaptation Modern Witch Tale (1973) in which Chiba plays a 300 year old which and assassin for hire, and badass karate / action / drama series The Bodyguard (1974), which co-starred Etsuko Shihomi. Speaking of whom, Chiba also found time to tutor several future super stars. Etsuko Shihomi was a big Chiba fangirl who applied to JAC as a teenager. The judges failed her (“no boobs, looks like a boy, no potential”) but Chiba vetoed the decision and took her in. When Angela Mao dropped from Sister Street Fighter, Chiba proposed Shihomi as the replacement! Hiroyuki Sanada was an even earlier acquaintance: he played the son of Chiba’s character at the age of 5 in the three very entertaining Game of Chance period yakuza films in 1966-1867. Sanada would later enter JAC and become a major star in the 80s (before which he briefly appeared as "young Chiba" in Teruo Ishii's madcap karate film The Executioner, 1974). (Left: Chiba and Hiroyuki Sanada. Right: Chiba and Etsuko Shihomi) 7 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted August 22, 2021 Member Share Posted August 22, 2021 Chiba tribute - Part 2/3: Stills Hepcat in the Funky Hat, 1961 Army Intelligence 33, 1968 Tokyo Seoul Bangkok Drug Triangle, 1973 Karate for Life, 1977 Okinawa 10 Year War, 1978 Yakuza Deka 4: No Epitaphs for Us, 1971 Shogun's Samurai, 1978 Army Intelligence 33, 1968 The many faces of Sonny Chiba (click image for bigger version) Top 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted August 22, 2021 Member Share Posted August 22, 2021 Chiba tribute - Part 3/3: Posters Police Department Story: Alibi (1961) Special Tactical Police: Part 2 (1963) Tokyo Untouchable: Organized Fashion Model Prostitutes (1964) Judo for Life (1963) Yakuza Deka 3: Poison Gas Affair (1971) Yakuza Deka 4: No Epitaphs for Us (1971) Jail Breakers (1976) Karate Bullfighter (1975) Bodyguard Kiba 2 (1973) and The Sreet Fighter's Last Revenge (1974) A Narcotics Agent's Ballad (1972) and Wolfguy (1975) Shogun's Samurai (1978) 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted September 3, 2021 Member Share Posted September 3, 2021 - Wandering Detective: Tragedy in Red Valley (風来坊探偵 赤い谷の惨劇) (1961) - Yakuza Deka: No Epitaphs for Us (やくざ刑事 俺たちに墓はない) (1971) - Bodyguard Kiba (ボディガード・牙) (1973) - Bodyguard Kiba 2 (ボディガード・牙 必殺三角飛び) (1973) - Adventurer Kamikaze (冒険者カミカゼ) (1981) 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted September 7, 2021 Member Share Posted September 7, 2021 Tokyo's Shin bungeiza announced a Chiba program for Oct. 20-30. Unfortunately it’s just biggest hits (I’ve seen 8 of the 12 films in 35mm already) and no rare films that I’m dying to see, but still kicks ass of course. The Street Fighter / The Executioner 2: Karate Inferno Karate Bullfighter / Killing Machine Jail Breakers / Golgo 13 Okinawa Yakuza War / Hiroshima Deathmatch The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy / Samurai Reincarnation Karate Warriors / Bodyguard Kiba - https://twitter.com/shin_bungeiza/st...39419639328771 激突！殺人拳／直撃！地獄拳 大逆転 けんか空手 極真拳／少林寺拳法 脱走遊戯／ゴルゴ13 九龍の首 沖縄やくざ戦争／仁義なき戦い 広島死闘篇 柳生一族の陰謀／魔界転生 子連れ殺人拳／ボディーガード牙 There's also a Chiba All Night Program on Oct. 2 with Bodyguard Kiba / The Street Fighter / Executioner 2: Karate Inferno / Karate Warriors. In addition, Tokyo-Seoul-Bankok is playing in Laputa Asagaya Oct. 24-30 in their series of Japanese films shot abroad. - http://www.laputa-jp.com/laputa/prog...seas_location/ 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member khuu_2000 Posted September 8, 2021 Member Share Posted September 8, 2021 it's sad news, Sonny Chiba was one of the great actors involved in many Hong Kong films, like Yasuaki KURATA and Kastu Shintaro. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ShawAngela Posted September 8, 2021 Member Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/7/2021 at 2:26 PM, Takuma said: In addition, Tokyo-Seoul-Bankok is playing in Laputa Asagaya Oct. 24-30 in their series of Japanese films shot abroad. - http://www.laputa-jp.com/laputa/prog...seas_location/ Isn't this movie the one which Nora Miao played in ? I would love so much to be able to watch it ! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ShawAngela Posted September 8, 2021 Member Share Posted September 8, 2021 And many thanks @Takuma for all these beautiful pictures and posters and for the information that Sonny Chiba also played in other genre movies than martial arts ones. I love these old black and white pictures ! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member JackieRome Posted September 9, 2021 Member Share Posted September 9, 2021 (edited) A few days ago I made this humble little video in honor of the great Sonny. Nothing important and meaningful to our community but I hope you like it anyway. Edited September 9, 2021 by JackieRome 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted September 9, 2021 Member Share Posted September 9, 2021 21 hours ago, ShawAngela said: Isn't this movie the one which Nora Miao played in ? I would love so much to be able to watch it ! Yes, that's the one. I wrote a bit about it here: https://www.36styles.com/kungfufandom/topic/21640-sonny-chiba-mega-review-thread/?do=findComment&comment=342691&_rid=6118 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ShawAngela Posted September 9, 2021 Member Share Posted September 9, 2021 3 hours ago, Takuma said: Yes, that's the one. I wrote a bit about it here: https://www.36styles.com/kungfufandom/topic/21640-sonny-chiba-mega-review-thread/?do=findComment&comment=342691&_rid=6118 Thanks a lot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted September 19, 2021 Member Share Posted September 19, 2021 (edited) Got myself a few more Chiba posters: - Judo for Life (柔道一代) (1963) B2 - Jail Breakers (脱走遊戯) (1976) B2 - Tale of Kawachi Chivalry (河内遊侠伝) (1967) Tatekan Edited September 19, 2021 by Takuma 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted September 25, 2021 Member Share Posted September 25, 2021 On 9/7/2021 at 9:26 PM, Takuma said: Tokyo's Shin bungeiza announced a Chiba program for Oct. 20-30. Unfortunately it’s just biggest hits (I’ve seen 8 of the 12 films in 35mm already) and no rare films that I’m dying to see, but still kicks ass of course. The Street Fighter / The Executioner 2: Karate Inferno Karate Bullfighter / Killing Machine Jail Breakers / Golgo 13 Okinawa Yakuza War / Hiroshima Deathmatch The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy / Samurai Reincarnation Karate Warriors / Bodyguard Kiba - https://twitter.com/shin_bungeiza/st...39419639328771 激突！殺人拳／直撃！地獄拳 大逆転 けんか空手 極真拳／少林寺拳法 脱走遊戯／ゴルゴ13 九龍の首 沖縄やくざ戦争／仁義なき戦い 広島死闘篇 柳生一族の陰謀／魔界転生 子連れ殺人拳／ボディーガード牙 There's also a Chiba All Night Program on Oct. 2 with Bodyguard Kiba / The Street Fighter / Executioner 2: Karate Inferno / Karate Warriors. Chirashi 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Ronin Posted September 29, 2021 Author Member Share Posted September 29, 2021 Man, another legend gone: http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news/takao-saito-dead/ Posted here since Chiba starred in the live action GOLGO 13 film. RIP. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted October 17, 2021 Member Share Posted October 17, 2021 Sonny Chiba in this month's Eiga Hi-Ho. There's a 20 page Chiba article, including interviews with Sadao Nakajima, Jiro Okazaki, Rina Takeda, and others. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted November 14, 2021 Member Share Posted November 14, 2021 A couple of HD stills And in case anyone missed it (or is reading this years from now), the Shin bungeiza Chiba retro coverage is in the other thread: https://www.36styles.com/kungfufandom/topic/18254-retro-cinemas-and-cult-films-in-japan-sonny-chiba-festival-some-content-nsfw/page/6/?tab=comments#comment-357651 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jesse Smooth Posted December 9, 2021 Member Share Posted December 9, 2021 Played in the wall with my new projector yesterday morning. I’ll put the screen up when I move to my new plac3. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Zatotom Posted December 10, 2021 Member Share Posted December 10, 2021 It has been a long while since I’ve posted on the Forums and I was thinking about my long time brother KUNG FU BOB and I saw this thread. Very heartbreaking to say the least, and the loss of a true martial arts legend. KUNG FU BOB was actually the one to introduce me to Sonny Chiba and his films about 13 years ago and I have loved them ever since, especially THE STREET FIGHTER films and I loved him in KILL BILL. Along with prayers and condolences for the Chiba family, I do feel especially bad for my brother, KUNG FU BOB. Bob’s Sonny Chiba artwork means even more to me now. 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted January 29, 2022 Member Share Posted January 29, 2022 It seems I've ended up with a couple of new posters again. Killing Machine (少林寺拳法) (1975) Yakuza Deka 4: No Epitaphs for Us (やくざ刑事 俺たちに墓はない) (1971) Actually I got these already last year, they've just been waiting for their turn to be on the wall. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted February 18, 2022 Member Share Posted February 18, 2022 I came across this pretty awesome Shogun’s Samurai / The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (柳生一族の陰謀) (1978) photo with Hiroki Matsukata, Sonny Chiba, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tetsuro Tamba and Teruhiko Saigo. - https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3ae58d66487b407315f4b53a9c907973afdc6662 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted February 22, 2022 Member Share Posted February 22, 2022 A very cool Chiba Karate tribute video on YouTube: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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