It is 1870 and Japan has sent an ambassador to the United States; having arrived in San Francisco he and the two samurai accompanying him are now crossing the country by train. As the train crosses the desert bandits led by two men; Link Stuart and Gotch 'Gauche' Kink rob the train. During the robbery Gauche kills one of the samurai, steals a ceremonial sword intended to be given to the president as a gift and betrays Link, leaving him for dead. Link is then forced to work with Kuroda Jubei, the surviving samurai. If they don't retrieve the sword within seven days Kuroda will commit hara-kiri; but not before killing Link. He is also determined to kill Gauche on sight... Link wants to question him so he can get his cut of their stolen money. As they travel Link tries to lose Kuroda; they face Gauche's men; pick up Gauche's girlfriend Cristina, who isn't keen to go with them; and face hostile Comanche warriors.
Westerns and samurai films often contain similar plots so it is hardly surprising that somebody had the idea of combining the two. While it may be a bit of a gimmick it leads to an entertaining film. Link and Kuroda are an unlikely partnership so it is almost inevitable that this also becomes a buddy movie as they gradually grow to respect each other. As with most buddy movies there are quite a few laughs along the way. Charles Bronson and Kuroda Jubei are both on good form in these roles. Alain Delon is decent enough as Gauche although his character could have done with more screen time. Ursula Andress is solid as Cristina. The action is good, with shootouts and the use of Kuroda's samurai sword. The sword use is done in a way that makes in acceptable for a man with a sword to beat a man with a gun. The Spanish locations work well as a fill-in for the US South West; while watching I was unaware that it was filmed on another continent. Overall I wouldn't call this a classic western but it is an interesting twist on the genre which I'd recommend to western fans.
Westerns and samurai films often contain similar plots so it is hardly surprising that somebody had the idea of combining the two. While it may be a bit of a gimmick it leads to an entertaining film. Link and Kuroda are an unlikely partnership so it is almost inevitable that this also becomes a buddy movie as they gradually grow to respect each other. As with most buddy movies there are quite a few laughs along the way. Charles Bronson and Kuroda Jubei are both on good form in these roles. Alain Delon is decent enough as Gauche although his character could have done with more screen time. Ursula Andress is solid as Cristina. The action is good, with shootouts and the use of Kuroda's samurai sword. The sword use is done in a way that makes in acceptable for a man with a sword to beat a man with a gun. The Spanish locations work well as a fill-in for the US South West; while watching I was unaware that it was filmed on another continent. Overall I wouldn't call this a classic western but it is an interesting twist on the genre which I'd recommend to western fans.