Lightning Karate Blow

Ken Takakura's screen debut, following his admission into Toei ranks via the studio's annual New Faces program, came surprisingly enough in this pair of Okinawa karate films. The two-parter was released on Jan. 29, 1956 as two thirds of a triple feature. Both halves run just under one hour. The fighting is actually pretty good for the time, and it's fun to see Takakura as an impatient, bearded karate rascal.

Cast

Ken Takakura

as

Harumi Urazato

as

Susumu Namishima

as

Takashi Kanda

as Higa Saburo (Gisen's Disciple)

Isao Yamagata

as Nagoe Gisen

Toranosuke Ogawa

as

Yoshi Katō

as

Takamaru Sasaki

as

Akikane Sawa

as

Mayumi Fujisato

as

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