15 Most Underrated Samurai Films Of All Time

12. Samurai Cop (1991)

Zatoichi 2003
Demel International Corporation

Make no mistake, Samurai Cop is arguably one of the most dishonorable samurai films ever made – if it can even qualify as one. What it is, though, is one of the best worst films that has ever seen the light of day.

Written and directed by Amir Shervan, this straight-to-video schlock-fest follows renegade LAPD cop Joe Marshall (Matt Hannon) – aka Samurai Cop – and his partner (Mark Frazer) as they work together to take down a powerful Japanese drug gang known as the Katana. And that’s it; the majority of this disasterpiece is compiled of horrendously choreographed action scenes, poor dubbing (which was mostly done by the director himself), and one of the worst wigs you’ve ever seen.

If you’re expecting to see the pedigree of spectacular visuals and action that samurai films are renowned for, you won’t see anything close to that in Samurai Cop. However, viewers will be treated to one samurai-esque final showdown - but it’s just as brilliantly awful as everything else in this flick.

Contributor
Contributor

Glasgow-based cinephile who earned a Masters degree in film studies to spend their time writing about cinema, video games, and horror.