9. The Shogun Assassins (1979)
Since “The Shogun Assassins” is based on a real-life character and incidents, it throws a lot of characters at the audience that might require familiarity, which does get overwhelming at times. The narrative also includes a lot of ninjas. I mean, a lot of ninjas, which provides for some glorious spectacle, including everything form large-scale action sequences and weird, almost supernatural instances. Not everything makes sense, but damned if Nakajima doesn't make it fun!
10. The Seburi Story (1985)
“The Seburi Story” is an interesting entry in Nakajima's filmography. Set during Work War II, it tells the story of the native Seburi people, an isolated, nomadic tribe from western Japan, who struggle with the cultural clashes that a then-modern Japan brings with it. Its exposition of the Seburi people's traditions, customs and laws are eye-opening, whereas the narrative tackles a number of interesting and important themes that this cultural clash between the Seburi and the modern world.
11. Oda Nobunaga (1992)
A two-part tv movie, “Oda Nobunaga” is a star-studded affair, with Ken Watanabe in the lead as the historic, one of the most respected Japanese warlords, and including but not limited to Sonny Chiba, Hiroki Matsukata, Tomisaburo Wakayama and Hiroyuki Sanada. A well-known story for Japanese and even for a segment of western audiences, “Oda Nobunaga” is a faithful adaptation of the story, but carries a melancholic mood throughout, accompanied by gorgeous visuals and a memorable soundtrack. Nakajima proves just as proficient making a 240-minutes tv film as he does concise 90 minute yakuza or chanbara fare.
12. Love's Twisting Path (2019)
Sadao Nakajima's final film ended up being 2019's “Love's Twisting Path”, his first film in 20 years which he directed at the ripe age of 84. A traditional chanbara made very much in the style that throws back to vintage filmmaking, using no CGI or accessible blood, which are the staple of the few productions made in this genre.
