Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron (1978) - full transcript

1722, Spring

Edo, Fukagawa

The largest sake dealer in Edo

You can't fool us

Omiya we know you've got money hidden away

What if Kumokiri hears about this?

He'll be surprised

He'll be really surprised

He certainly will

Let's first get the money away, Kumokiri

Omiya really hid it well



Kill them if they resist!

Kichigoro, Kumokiri's Lieutenant

Stupid...

Rokunosuke of the Kumokiri Gang

We've spent three years already...

Tried to take the money, they're stupid

They're a little too late

They went down the river

Go after him!

They're the Akatsuki Gang!

We've done as you ordered us

What about Hoshiyemon?

He got killed,

poor fellow



l see. Thank you

Yes!

Kameya lnn

Early this year,

you left Shinshu...

And arrived in Edo this month

ls that correct?

Yes, sir, that is correct

Where did you intend going?

No place particular,

Just wandering around?

Yes!

Then why are you staying here?

l had something to do

Like what?

l'm a little ashamed to say

lt was just a private matter

lt has nothing to do with you

You refuse to tell us?

Wait

Awoman's mortuary tablet?

A relative of yours?

Then he was...

A samurai, l'm certain of that

Shall we check on that?

No, there was noithing suspicious about him

A special police force named...

'Arson and Theft lnvestigation Arm'...

Was founded in the eighteenth, century.

lt had strong connections and was quite effective.

Various crimes

were included in its competence.

The offiicers for this force...

Were selected from the finest samurai...

They were given special emergency rights...

ln regards investigation, arrest, and execution.

About the Omiya case...

One of those arrested said...

That he knew the Kumokiri gang, right?

Yes, sir. His name is Rikichi

Let's use him as a decoy

Make him agree then keep track ofhim

Right, we'll get Kumokiri yet

How could he escape us?

He must be some kind of devil

Devil?

No, he's human all right, just like us

There must be some way to solve this

There must be

Ochiyo, Kumokiri's Accomplice

Don't...stop now, Matsuya

Look! They're back!

Denjiro, of the Kumokiri Gang

So you're here?

Yes, l'm here

Yes, you told me to come

We'll talk later

Where can she change?

Upstairs, as usual

You seem to like her very much

Today's the sixth time l've met her

And you introduced me, she's wonderful

l'm the richest merchant in Nagoya,

yet she's got me

You're joking...

She's no professional

No, she's not...

l know for a fact

Since you're my best client,

l introduced you

Actually, she's from an aristocratic family

Aristocratic?

Tell me more about it

l've never asked her

As a mattewr of fact...

You're certainly some woman

You know how to hold onto men

l've asked so often before...

Let me, just once

You misunderstand me

l don't do this because l like men

lt's all part of my business

l was just joking

And what if the boss finds out?

She was the wife of an aristocrat

And her husband is recently dead

Relatives took the house. She had to leave

lt happens sometimes

And she is so good, too

But no family, no money

She was a good client,

so l've taken care ofher

l understand. l asked because...

She has asked me to take care ofher

She's asking too much

And you're just here on a business trip

But she loves me

l must do something

Don't tell me you'll marry her

Jihei of the Kumokiri Gang

His palanquin is here

Yes, thanks

That's just the point

l'm single, so...

Marrying her is not impossible

That's what l'm thinking of doing

You're joking

l'm too old to joke about such matters

Well, we'll talk about it later

l'll go part of the way with you

Has he gone?

l'm asking you...

ls he gone or not?

Yes, he's gone

Don't go too far with her

Mind your own business

l'm warning you. Try something...

And you'll be finished

Look, someone's hiding there

Stupid, what do you think l am

Wait

lsn't that Roku calling?

He's coming after us

Stop

Who are you?

Don't come, or you will be killed!

Kill him!

The boss said

not to kill before ascertaining...

So l did this

l killed him. Understand?

l did it

l was the one who did it

You'll be punished, Ochiyo

lt's the only way to get to meet the boss

Just don't worry

You can go back now

What about you?

Your boat's plain unlucky

Let's go, Roku

Kumagoro, of the Kumokiri Gang

Excuse me, are you Master Tsuji?

l've been waiting for this day...

But he's not coming. lt can't be helped

By the way, l hear that Shojumaru...

Has been appointed heir to the Owari clan

Remember to tell him that

l understand. l will tell the boss

Also, that l'd like to see him then

You left this

l'm on a journey yet l forget my spare sandals

Met the boss last night

He said for you to be patient

He's worried about you

l can tell

You'll leave Edo for Owari

The boss will see you then

Roku, l know you are also just a man

So you know how women fee

This is because you are a man

lt's going to rain

You're so good

Look out! l almost got killed

No one's upstairs

They're pretty smart

l was afraid of this

They got away

Not a sign of them

Vanished like the mist

They're fast

No time to praise them now

The police are quite tough...

We'd have had it

if Okada hadn't informed on them

Give him some money

Of course

Rokunosuke killed someone. That's against rules

What will you do?

l'll put up with it for a while

Rather than that, you tell Okada...

To lie low for a while

Haven't much luck these days...

l'll go to the Horinouchi Temple to pray

Are you really going?

l wonder

l understand

About the Muashi-ya, our next target

We're all ready and waiting

l also went there today

?-l disguised myself as a merchant.'

Speak of the devil and he will appear

Shichimatsu of the Kumokiri Gang

Kamezo of the Kumokiri Gang

Welcome back

l delivered this oil to the Daimyo of Kofu...

But he's never paid for it

That's too bad...

l've been working here a long time...

But l haven't heard of that

l'm just about worn out

Where's your master?

ln his room, with his masseur

Seems he'll have another woman,
beginning tonight

He's dreadful

l know how you feel...

But you need money, don't you?

Think it over. Understand?

Being a head-maid isn't easy

Not at all

And l have to take care of the master

The money's under the alter...

l've got the keys

His trouble si that he is a widower

He ought to get married again

Omatsu, of the Kumokiri Gang

You're the one who ought to get married

Everything's ready

Let's go according to plan

Omaki

l'm here

You're earlier than usual

What ofit?

Don't, you have a guest

Who?

Look!

lt's daytime, don't embarrass me

You got away cleverly

The police are after us

We have to act fast

l'm here to thank you

l'll have her open a teashop or something

Glad you know her that well

But watch out for the others on the force

The others?

They're nothing

They don't know

how to treat a veteran like me

Yamada's the chief now...

But only because he's Shikibu's favorite

lt's unfair, they only give me paperwork

lsn't that so?

That's enough

l'll be going then

You won't see me for a while

Wait. For a while?

The boss is going to a temple...

To pray. l have to go too

And he's very clever

l'd like to see what Kumokiri's like

They say he's rather short

And ugly, just like you

Am l so short and ugly?

That's not so

He's as handsome as a Kabuki actor

Then he's like me

Stupid. You're no better than the rest

You're just telling lies again

We're done

Let's go

What's wrong?

That measure? He's blind

Hurry

Wait a moment

What is it?

My comb, it's from my dead mother

No time now

They haven't seen me

l can make it

What'll you do?

Don't fail now

We'll meet at the usual place

l'll be there

For the Awa Clan

Arson and Theft lnvestigation Arm

How did they know?

They've won again

Don't worry about it

l told you there was a key to all this

Listen, now...

Every case has its key...

l'll show you

Okada!

Go!

You dog, you

Spy!

What...

Here's your key

He's no longer a samurai

let him live...

And let him suffer

What about his woman?

Kumokiri's got her

What?

He's on our way, banish him

Stand up

Hi...

Yes

Are you sure this is from Kumokiri?

l'm sorry, the messenger was Kumagoro

l regret that l didn't arrest him

Never mind

Kumokiri will exchange

Omaki for the woman

But there are conditions

The conditions are...

That each of the parties send a representative...

The place is the public bath named Fan...

Near Koami-cho, near Edo Bridge...

At four in the afternoon...

Both women will be sent there.

Numbers li-6 and Ha-9

Your friends are waiting

li-6 and Ha-9

Your friends are waiting

Not yet?

They're waiting

li-6 and Ha-9

Quick now!

Each party will have a palanquin...

Ours on the bath side...

Kumokiri's on the opposite side...

This is a gentleman's agreement...

Let no one else interfere.

lt's Roku and Ochiyo

Thank you

l'm sorry to be late

lt's been a long time

l'm glad you're well

Tell her how good she is

She's got Matsuya

around her little finger

That's good to hear. Sit down

We're all here

lt's time...

Let's start

Denjiro, go outside and watch

Yes...

To begin with about Omatsu

l won't punish her

That's not fair

l'm prepared for punishment

Work better next time

Understand? Omatsu

Boss...l...

Omatsu

Brink up and listen...

They say stealing is the easiest way

to get rich

That may be true but l've got a bounty on me

No matter how hard you work...

No matter how hard you try...

You'll end up

the same way

They'll kill you

and your name will fade away

We've been lucky

for ten years

Everyone knows our names

And we've enough money for you all...

To now lead safe and peaceful lives...

So...

l've made up my mind that...

The next job in Owari will be our last

Please understand that...

We work together for the last time?

We'll steal no more

Kumokiri and his gang

will disappear

That's what l've decided

Yet, even if we stop...

No one will believe it...

They'll say we'll come back...

They'll say we'll rob again...

These thoughts will prey on their minds...

The authorities will go on worrying...

Long after we are dead

This fear will maintain

This is what we, all of us...

Really want to happen

Do you approve?

We approve

You have our lives in your hands

We will do as you say

You understand?

Thank you, then

l came alone as l promised

What do you want to sell me?

Kumokiri's true identity

Not a bad deal

But l do not want money for it

Who are you?

You tell me, or the deal is off

l'm the masseur

l was at the Musashi-ya

What masseur?

What did you see?

Though l am blind l can see who Kumokiri is

Do you really know?

Ten years ago...

l was a samurai with the Owari Clan

My name was Sajuro Tomizuka

What destroyed me was the embezzlement of...

The accountant,

Kuranosuke Tsuji

Kuranosuke Tsuji,

the accountant.

You embezzled the clan's funds...

And you refuse to admit it...

Because of your shameless conduct...

You are sentenced to commit hara-kiri...

Your house will be abolished...

And your family will be most severely punished.

Signed: Tsugutomo Owari.

But Kuranosuke and his brother lori...

Refused to obey and fled

Eight samurai

were selected...

l was one of them...

To find and kill the two

We staked our lives on this mission

Several hours later...

l awoke to find...

The Tsuji brothers both gone...

lf l returned l would be punished...

So l took the heads of my comrades...

And disguised them as heads of the Tsuji brothers

lt was the only thing for me to do

Yes, the only way l could have saved myself

Seven men were killed by these two?

Yes, l apologize

Well, it's over now

And no one else knows, right?

Certainly, sir

We are grateful

Give me those heads

l'm beginning to understand what you really want

l will help you to get it

But l have one condition

l know

Kumokiri's head...

You want it, don't you?

Edo Castle

Shikibu...

You've failed to foil these robberies...

The elders have strongly reprimanded you...

Yet you refuse to retire...

You have courage, and l admire it

Have you any prospects?

Of course, sire

l have almost discovered who this Kumokiri is

And l have a man who can identify him

What's that?

A man who was an Owari clan samurai

Ten years ago there was an embezzlement case...

ln the Owari clan

lt is my guess that Kumokiri is connected with us

l have begun to suspect the connection

lf you are that confident...

Then l have no more to say

But, Shikibu...

You are certainly some samurai...

l am a member of the Shogun's council...

And my political life is in your hands

Yes, sir

l am sorry, sire

You've betrayed me

l want to see a higher magistrate

Stop!

You're only to be exiled, you're lucky

Hi!

Yes

Concerning our Owari investigations...

We have no idea where Kumokiri will next attack...

But this time we must get him, no matter what

This may be the worst case we've ever had

l am prepared, sir. He is the worst criminal

ls law, breaking always evil, l wonder...

And are law, abiding citizens always right?

Listen, this is only an assumption...

But if you were told to kill yourself...

For a false charge...

lf even your most distant kin were punished...

And the woman you loved taken away...

What then would you do?

lf such a man then hates the government...

And dares go against its laws...

Can we then arrest him so easily...

Even though we are the police?

Well, be that as it may, you may go

But come back alive. Understand?

Yes!

Welcome back!

Nagoya, Capital of the Owari Clan

The wholesale good are here...

The areas are Kyoto, Osaka, Edo....

and dAoswfanralulpthaesSweayntdoai,Hakata

The wholesale total is ten times that of the retail

And this is the shop

lt's very prosperous

l'm glad you've returned safely

Thank you

l wish to introduce her

tell everyone to come

Understand

These are your rooms

Oh, how sweet!

l wanted you to like them

She's so beautiful

You think so, too?

Now, listen. This lady is from...

An aristocratic family in Kyoto

Fate ahs led us to our happy engagement...

Soon we are to marry

So, from today,

regard her as my wife and...

Be kind to her. Do you understand?

Yes!

Now that you are married to me, you must learn...

About business,

and servants, and money

You all must help her

Understand?

l am Ochiyo and l ask for your favor

Sanji, of the Kumokiri Gang

Shall l lend you some chips?

We really should help each other

Thank you,

but l must be going

You go for the evil?

Fading like the mist, just like Kumokiri?

One of the Matsu-ya's clerks?

No, Sanji of the Kumokiri gang, l think

Who are you?

Fukuyemon, chieflieutenant of the Akatsuki gang

l've had no chance to talk with you...

But l know who you are

Glad to see you here in Nagora

We're both in the same boat, come with me

l know who that is

Won!

l'm quite lucky

l've finally met you. So you work with Kumokiri?

And you embezzled...

Considerable of your shop's money. Here take it

lsn't it hot, though?

l don't want to owe you anything, l'll pay you back

ln Edo, Kumokiri outwitted us and...

My best men were all taken by the police...

Don't blame me

l don't

But do me a favor, tell me where the Matsu,
ya money is

And where the keys are. That's all

l can't betray my boss

Actually...

You've already betrayed him

You're a Matsu-ya clerk now

You're here to have a good time?

Your hand is so hard

You're very manly

Pour me some sake

Daughter of an old friend, a thief, he is

Met accidentally,

she's in the gang too now

Make up your mind

and you can have her

Then you'll be in my gang, too

Don't forget where to meet

You gamble too much these days

Cheated? That's why you're running away

What happened?

There was a police card

Two men and a woman got away

Are you one of them?

Fukuyemon discovered who l was

Does he know you're at the Matsu-ya?

l'm sure he's gotten wise

What shall we do?

Please forgive me

That woman with Fukuyemon...

We've got to find her...

How's that?

He said her name was...

Omaki

Omaki?

ls she a police spy?

ldiot! Get rid ofher!

Yes!

Follow him and watch

Go tell the boss. He's at the Utsunoya pass

Kill Fukuyemon or we're los

Yes

She's mine, don't touch her

What're you saying?

l don't want to die

l want to live

Hit me, kick me, l'll never tell you

l want to see your boss, understand?

Shut up

Good, go ahead

You'll wish you hadn't

He knows something

l thought he was just acting big

But l see there's something funny about him

How was it?

They approved using offiicial messengers

Two days will be enough

lf you can't trust me, then write:

l know something you want to know.

l know where in Owari Kumokiri will next strike.

Now, listen...

Pay the palanquin bearers well...

Have the two of them go by palanquin

That's your job

Among the police Yanagi is the best swordsman

The only way to fool him is by...

Using the palanquin

Kumokiri, who do you think you are fooling?

Go! Go!