Kill the Shogun A.K.A. Year of the Dragon • 왜왕정벌 (1975)

Kill the Shogun (1975), also released as Year of the Dragon and Mujang Haeje, was originally released in South Korea as Wae Wang Jeongbeol (왜왕정벌). Directed by Lee Doo-yong and produced by Kwak Jeong-hwan for Hap Dong Film, the film stars Gang Dae-Hui, Bae Su-Cheon, James Nam Seok-Hoon, Jo Choon, Hwang Jang Lee, Bob Hyeon Gil-Su, and Kim Wang-Kuk. Blending historical drama, Korean swordsmanship, battlefield action, and martial arts, it remains an unusual and hard-to-find Korean action film from the 1970s.

STORY OVERVIEW

After Japanese forces seize control of Korea and demand that its soldiers surrender their weapons, a group of determined warriors refuses to accept defeat. Risking everything for their homeland, they organize a resistance and launch attacks against the occupying forces. Their struggle leads to fierce battles, daring assaults, and deadly confrontations as they fight to restore their nation's honor.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Kill the Shogun combines Korean sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and large-scale battle sequences. Hwang Jang Lee appears early in his career, years before becoming one of Hong Kong kung fu cinema's most recognizable villains. The film's military action gives it a distinct style compared with contemporary Hong Kong martial arts productions.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Kill the Shogun gives collectors an uncommon look at 1970s Korean martial arts cinema. Hwang Jang Lee's early appearance, historical setting, swordplay, and patriotic action make it especially interesting for fans collecting Korean martial arts films alongside Hong Kong kung fu classics.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1975, Kill the Shogun reflects the popularity of historical action and martial arts films in South Korea during the 1970s. Director Lee Doo-yong's combination of war drama and martial arts gives the film a distinctive place among vintage Korean action productions.

• Verified AKAs:
  • Kill the Shogun – International English title
  • Year of the Dragon – Alternate English title
  • Mujang Haeje – Alternate Korean title
  • Wae Wang Jeongbeol – Korean title
  • 왜왕정벌 – Original Korean title
• Director: Lee Doo-yong
• Producer: Kwak Jeong-hwan
• Screenplay: Kim Ha-Rim
• Cinematography: Ahn Chang-Bok
• Production Company: Hap Dong Film
• Starring: Gang Dae-Hui, Bae Su-Cheon, James Nam Seok-Hoon, Jo Choon, Hwang Jang Lee, Bob Hyeon Gil-Su, Kim Wang-Kuk, Bruce Jang Il-Sik, Kwon Il-Su
• Country: South Korea
• Genre: Martial Arts, Historical, Action, War Drama
• Martial Arts Focus: Korean Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand Combat
• Format: DVD
• Language: English Dubbed
• Region: All Regions
• Running Time: 103 Minutes
• Release Year: 1975

Prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.