The movie opens in prison. A murdering martial artist will soon hang for his crimes. Sonny Chiba is a Buddhist priest who has come to offer prayers for the man's soul. But that would be boring, so they fight instead. Sonny delivers a "special martial arts blow" (just consider it magic) that allows the prisoner to escape the gallows. He was paid for the escape by the killer's brother and sister but they don't have the rest of the money. They all fight and the brother is defenestrated. Sonny will also be defenestrated later.
That entire storyline also went out the window. The new story is gangsters try to hire Sonny to kidnap a rich girl. His price is too high so they feel they now need to kill Sonny because he knows their plans. Sonny will not die easily.
For most people, including me, Sonny Chiba began with this movie. He really began acting in 1959 in a science fiction super hero television series. He has over 200 film credits. Fans of martial arts movies try to imagine if Bruce Lee lived what would he have done? Bruce's career likely would have looked a lot like Sonny Chiba's.
That entire storyline also went out the window. The new story is gangsters try to hire Sonny to kidnap a rich girl. His price is too high so they feel they now need to kill Sonny because he knows their plans. Sonny will not die easily.
For most people, including me, Sonny Chiba began with this movie. He really began acting in 1959 in a science fiction super hero television series. He has over 200 film credits. Fans of martial arts movies try to imagine if Bruce Lee lived what would he have done? Bruce's career likely would have looked a lot like Sonny Chiba's.