Sword of Alexander
R4 DVD
Madman Entertainment
The
Sword of Alexander is outrageous entertainment, sometimes bloody, always filled
with action and most of the time incredibly silly, funny and ridiculous cinema.
It brings together every possible myth and legend to create a rip roaring
fantasy which combines a wide variety of genres from Samurai to Japanese
action, from science fiction to even a bit of monster horror. The storyline is
suitably bizarre yet based squarely in the world of myth and legend. Indeed,
many years ago (1973) a rather strange occultist wrote a supposed factual book
called The Sword of Destiny in which he claimed that there were various sacred
items which, if combined, would give the owner world domination. He even
claimed Hitler invaded Austria to get the lance which pierced Christ’s side as
it was one of the items ! Only the “lunatic fringe” took him seriously, but
myth and legends, strange tales and weird beliefs are the stuff fantasies are
made of and seep into all manner of films.
In
The Sword of Alexander we have a more multicultural set of items but with a similarly
bizarre agenda – The Sword of Alexander (Greek) – a damn big claymore, the
Thunderbolt of Skanda (Hindu) and the Cross of Judas (Christian – well,
nearly). It seems these items are made
of a special substance not found on earth which offers the “power of god” when wielded
by the chosen one.
Genkuro
Yorozu is a huge warrior who wields the claymore; he received it from his
grandfather who was some sort of missionary. In respect for his grandfather’s
dying wishes he is in search of the other two artefacts. However, he is not the
only one in search of such infinite power and some of them are not even human !
Early in the show we see a huge battle in space as two alien ships fight
through time and space in search of the artefacts, they crash to earth and their
occupants possess various human bodies in search of ultimate power.
Along
the way we get treated to battling Samurai clans, occult masters, alien
possessions, monsters and creatures and lots more. This is such a bizarre fantasy
film, packed with B grade goodness. The climax of the film is suitably extreme,
the three objects are brought together and Genkuro becomes the sacred warrior.
He fights the evil creature, who is now a demon possessed monk, with the
assistance of his love interest and her attendant. After a great battle the
demon will not die and becomes a disengaged brain with spinal stem attached
which continues the battle but even then it will not die, and its inverted body
attacks once again. All the time we are treated to a sort of running tongue in cheek
commentary by a voice over.
Sword
of Alexander is that sort of film, ridiculous, fun, over the top and raucous
entertainment.
This review will appear in Volume 2:1
(2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.
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