Too much plot, too many characters with similar names, and no clear central protagonist to root for. Nevertheless, HUNTER IN THE DARK is entertaining viewing, with its cast gradually whittled down by swordplay and deceipt to a manageable few. The 1979 film received its official US
home-video release in 1997.
In 1784 Edo, one-eyed ronin Yataro Tanigawa (Yoshio Harada) kills the two rivals of his boss Gomyo (Tatsuya Nakadai), leader of an underworld society or "hunter of darkness." Tanigawa, who has no memory of his past, is then used to eliminate the remaining members of the Kitamae clan, now abolished
by the shogunate. Back in Gomyo's den, Oriwa (Ayumi Ishida) ...
Released:
1979
Rated:
NR
Length:
138 mins