In 1870, a train heist results in the theft of a ceremonial Japanese sword destined for the US President, sparking an intense search to reclaim it.

"Red Sun" navigates the line between classic cowboy films and the more jaded westerns that emerged in the 1970s. This film is a distinctive late spaghetti western that features the legendary Charles Bronson alongside Toshir? Mifune, who delivers one of his final memorable samurai performances. This new 4K Blu-ray restoration from StudioCanal invites viewers to revisit this often-overlooked yet significant piece of genre cinema.

Bronson's impact on the Western genre began in the mid-1950s, culminating in his iconic role as O’Reilly in John Sturges's "The Magnificent Seven" (1960), which was a remake of Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" (1954), featuring Mifune. The success of both films solidified their stardom, making the idea of merging these cultures appealing and innovative. The charm of "Red Sun" lies in witnessing these two traditionally masculine figures interact, revealing layers of unexpected emotion.

The film's inception dates back to 1968, when the concept of pairing Clint Eastwood with Mifune was proposed. Eastwood had gained fame for Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964), which also drew inspiration from Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" (1961), again featuring Mifune.

When the script reached director Terence Young, Bronson had replaced Eastwood, even though Leone had initially envisioned Bronson for his iconic "Man With No Name" in the "Dollar Trilogy." Young had recently collaborated with producer Robert Dorfmann on "Cold Sweat" (1970), which likely influenced this casting choice.

The screenplay boasts a notable pedigree, with writer Denne Bart Petitclerc having contributed to the television series "The Legend of Jesse James" (1965–66) and the long-running "Bonanza" (1959–1973), where he eventually became executive story editor. Interestingly, Bronson appeared in both series.

Petitclerc teamed up with William Roberts, known for "The Magnificent Seven," working off a story outline by Laird Koenig, who also wrote for "The High Chaparral." This project was entrusted to seasoned genre experts, combining beloved tropes with some unexpected twists.

The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of historical significance, as the first Japanese ambassador to the US, Mori Arinori, arrived in 1871 amidst a turbulent post-Civil War America filled with outlaws and gunslingers. In this setting, the fictional Lord Sakaguchi of Bizen (Tetsu Nakamura) travels by train with a ceremonial sword gifted from the Emperor to the President.

The film opens with an homage to "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968), as Link Stuart (Bronson) waits at a desert station for the train carrying Sakaguchi. When Kuroda Jubei (Mifune), one of Sakaguchi’s samurai, disembarks, a silent yet charged exchange occurs, hinting at the intertwining of their fates.

Link, a notorious outlaw, boards the train, leading to a confrontation with a sheriff (Georges Lycan). However, Link's gang is already on board, and his accomplice Gauche (Alain Delon) intervenes, forcing the sheriff off the moving train.

At Link's signal, his gang begins to rob the passengers, maintaining a facade of calm until Gauche brutally dispatches a man reaching for a gun. Their true objective is the contents of the secure carriage, and when the train slows to avoid sheep, bandits ambush it with dynamite.

The robbery scene is a thrilling spectacle of action, featuring coordinated horsemen, soldiers, and an impressive budget of nearly $6 million, a significant sum for a Euro-western. This Franco-Italian production filmed in Spain showcases familiar landscapes and an international cast. Director Terence Young, known for his work on the James Bond series, adeptly handles the ambitious production.

As the dust settles, Link and Gauche enter the VIP coach, anticipating that an international ambassador would carry substantial funds. They confront the two samurai, who, under their lord's orders, comply and hand over the money. When Gauche attempts to steal the ceremonial sword, a samurai retainer (Hiroshi Tanaka) intervenes and is shot. Kuroda vows to seek revenge.

While dividing the loot, Gauche betrays Link, leaving him for dead as he escapes with the haul. Delon portrays Gauche with a menacing glee, departing from his more subdued roles.

Left with no choice, Link and Kuroda form a reluctant alliance driven by greed, honor, and vengeance. Link seeks to track down Gauche, while Kuroda aims to kill him and reclaim the sword. This partnership reveals cultural tensions, as their relationship transitions from distrust to tentative cooperation.

Link often tries to evade Kuroda, leading to humorous moments, such as when he attempts to fight the samurai without weapons. The chemistry between Bronson and Mifune evolves from antagonism to mutual respect, showcasing their humanity beneath the tough exteriors.

Ultimately, both characters find redemption in their bond, with Link transforming from villain to hero. The film highlights how cultural encounters can lead to personal growth.

Young understands that this character development requires time, allowing viewers to witness the gradual evolution of Link and Kuroda's relationship without rushing through it.

Mifune, who was often dubbed in international films, was determined to deliver his lines authentically. He worked hard to learn English for this role, receiving coaching from Tetsu Nakamura on set to ensure he grasped the subtleties of the language.

Viewers accompany Link and Kuroda through their journey, sharing meals and engaging in their witty exchanges, which may challenge modern audiences' patience but likely captivate fans of classic Westerns.

Cinematographer Henri Alekan effectively captures the expansive landscapes, emphasizing the characters' insignificance against the vastness of the sky and desert. Their journey through rugged terrains symbolizes the societal barriers of class, prejudice, and greed.

The film maintains its masculine tone until Link and Kuroda realize Gauche’s trail has gone cold, prompting them to detour to the bordello where the robbery was planned. There, they encounter Gauche's lover, Christina (Ursula Andress), whom they hold for ransom. Complications arise as Christina's past with Link and current association with Gauche create tension.

While waiting, Kuroda relaxes with Maria (Mónica Randall), allowing Mifune to shed his stoic samurai persona, presenting a more human side in a nuanced interracial encounter.

Together, Link and Kuroda confront Gauche's henchmen, leaving one alive to deliver a message about their plan to exchange Christina for the sword and Link's share of the loot.

As their journey resumes, they are accompanied by the fiery and opportunistic Christina, who weighs her options between Gauche and Link, highlighting the complexities of loyalty. The narrative also introduces a group of Native Americans, depicted as lawless bandits rather than traditional representations.

The year 1871 marked the passing of the Indian Appropriations Act, which undermined tribal rights and identities, provoking unrest among Indigenous peoples. This context resonates with the socio-political climate of the 1970s, paralleling the Vietnam War's impact on ethnic identities.

"Red Sun" embodies the essence of a classic Western, complete with archetypal characters: Bronson as the rugged hero, Delon as the suave villain, Andress as the fiery love interest, and Capucine as the strong-willed prostitute. The inclusion of a samurai disrupts expected tropes, transforming the narrative into something more engaging and unpredictable.

At the time of its release, the film was groundbreaking, not just for featuring a Japanese character played by a genuine Japanese actor but also for acknowledging the influence of samurai cinema on the Western genre.

Upon its release, "Red Sun" received favorable reviews and performed well in the US, bolstered by its star-studded cast. It shattered box office records in Japan, where it ran for an astonishing 35 weeks in Tokyo. The collaboration between Bronson and Mifune proved to be a winning combination.

Both "Red Sun" and John Boorman's "Hell in the Pacific" (1968) left a lasting impression on viewers, exploring the evolving relationship between two men from opposing backgrounds. Each film features long stretches with minimal dialogue, evoking themes of war and mutual respect, underpinned by Mifune's compelling performances.

Mifune's portrayal of a samurai captivated audiences, showcasing not only his remarkable swordsmanship but also his enigmatic presence. His character's minimalistic communication and decisive actions reflect the complexity of the human experience.

Authentic representations of Japanese characters have been rare in cinema, with another notable portrayal appearing a decade later in the miniseries "Sh?gun" (1980), again featuring Mifune.

FRANCE • ITALY • SPAIN | 1971 | 114 MINUTES | 1.85:1 | COLOUR | ENGLISH • SPANISH • JAPANESE

Blu-ray Special Features: - The Blu-ray edition will include four art cards. - On the set of Red Sun. A nine-minute extract from Pour le cinema (Director: Pierre Mignot © INA-1971). Unrestored black-and-white interviews with director Terence Young and the principal cast shot on location — it’s pretty poor quality but provides a brief glimpse behind the scenes.

• New 20-minute Interview with documentary filmmaker Steven Okazaki, director of Mifune: The Last Samurai (2015). He provides an insightful overview of Mifune's career, discussing the importance of seeing positive representations of Asian men in film.
• Original Trailers.

Cast & Crew - Director: Terence Young. - Writers: Denne Bart Petitclerc, William Roberts & Lawrence Roman (additional dialogue) (based on a story by Laird Koenig). - Starring: Charles Bronson, Toshir? Mifune, Alain Delon, Ursula Andress & Capucine.

Originally published at https://www.framerated.co.uk on September 7, 2024. All copyrighted images are used according to the Fair Use doctrine in US & UK law.