Just Like Buddy Holly

Six-String Samurai (1998) is one of those videos where you always see the box, think it looks cool, then put it back without watching. We finally watched it. 

It is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of the ex-United States. The Soviets invaded in 1957, leaving only Lost (sic) Vegas free. King Elvis reigned there for 40 years, and when he died, the position of king was open to anyone who could rock, and fight for the throne.

One pretender is Buddy, played by Jeffery Falcon with a baggy suit and Buddy Holly glasses, carrying a guitar and a samurai sword. The opening scenes show a group of bandits attacking a woman and child in a field of reeds. The woman is killed, but Buddy jumps in to save the kid. This is very chambara/manga inspired. Of course, the kid wants to follow Buddy, and he wants to leave him behind. 

They stop into a ruined roadhouse where the Red Elvises are playing. If you don't know them, they are a Soviet-inspired rockabilly band, with a bass balalaika. Sort of like Laika and the Cosmonauts, and all those other Russian rockabilly bands (it was really a thing). They are attacked by a bowling-themed gang, but they are no match for Buddy's sword skills.

But the real threat comes from Death, who plans to become king himself. He wears a leather top hat like Slash or possibly Papa Legba, and is killing all the other pretenders. 

This is definitely a fun movie with lots of references to rock culture and samurai movies - a fun combo. Falcon turns out to be a legit martial artist, but it looked to me like they were using editing to make an ordinary guy look awesome - which would be true to the Shaw Brothers tradition. The music was mostly strong, but I would have liked more. The Elvises did a lot of it and maybe should have done more. The final guitar battle between Buddy and Death was a real let-down. They traded riffs for like 2-3 choruses, then started in with swords. 

So, we enjoyed this but can see why it never took off. Even as a cult film, it didn't have a very big cult. In some ways, I can see why I kept skipping this. In others, I was glad I saved it.