The Invisible Swordsman (1970) - Fantasy Film Review

Described as an 'unseen gem', The Invisible Swordsman is a high energy fantasy film that is far more goofy and non-serious than its poster and synopsis might suggest. Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare), this tale of an invisible man may feel quaint and old fashioned, but it does have some charm, and a great looking set.

Taking place during the Edo-era, Sanshiro Yuzuki (Osamu Saka) is the son of a well renowned samurai master. He is a member of his father's dojo, but unfortunately for the boy, not only does he have no skill with weapons, but he is also a massive coward. After his father is murdered during a midnight raid on the village by a group of black clad ninjas known as the 'Phantom Thieves', Sanshiro pledges to get revenge, but laments his own lack of skills. An apparition from the underworld takes pity on the boy, telling him how to create a magical potion that will make him invisible. Using this potion, Sanshiro goes after those he suspects of being responsible, his lack of skill hidden by the fact that he cannot be seen by the people he attacks.

Not only was this family friendly, I would go even further and say this was designed as a children's fantasy film. There is some death over the near eighty minute run time, but these death scenes are without blood or gore. While there are plenty of action scenes, the protagonists methods are almost entirely non-lethal, such as fighting goons while armed with shoes as weapons, or scaring his enemies away by chasing them with objects that appear to the goons to be floating. Special effects are passable, but I did keep in mind throughout the age of the film, Floating objects are passable, as are the stop motion footprints that pop up when there snow is on the ground or water. The ghostly images of the apparitions felt quite creepy, but I don't believe that to have been purposeful. The cheerful and jolly soundtrack continues the feel of this really not intended to be a dark or serious movie. I did kind of come to respect Sanshiro's way of fighting. A highlight was a later scene where the goons are using floor mats and sheets to try and block the invisible man in.

The story was wafer thin, but at least that meant that the action stayed in the neat looking historical village setting. I had no complaints whatsoever with the lovely set design. Characters are many, but most fall into an extreme over the top way of acting. There are lots of people looking ultra shocked at the events transpiring around them, worst being the two comedy characters who work for the strongest warrior in the rival dojo. I enjoyed these very exaggerated acting styles, but that also stretched to the dialogue which has a grating habit of being shouted out by characters. Worst of these unfortunately was the lead, Sanshiro's cries for his father were so irritating to hear that I found myself reaching for the mute button on more than one occasion.

The Invisible Swordsman was an old fashioned and out of date family fantasy film that felt very much of its time. I appreciated this, but wouldn't go as far as to say I particularly enjoyed it outside of appreciating what it was going for. On June 23rd The Invisible Swordsman becomes available to stream on ARROW.

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