Samurai Johnny Frankenstein
Encyclopedia
Samurai Johnny Frankenstein is a 1993 martial art based action adventure movie that was directed by and stars Scott Shaw
.
This film revolves around the interaction of Sam Rockmore, (played by Shaw) who is a Private Investigator
in Hollywood, California and Hal, played by Kenneth H. Kim, who is a half human, half cyborg
on a mission to rid Los Angeles
of crime.
As is the case with many Scott Shaw films, this movie takes place in Hollywood, California. Another element, which is a trend in the films of Shaw, is that this film is shot in the run-down ghetto
sections of the city. This inner-city urban backdrop is a trend in virtually all of his films and is apparently used a conscious metaphor of artist expression.
This is the first feature film when Shaw introduced his reference to Blacksploitation cinema. This is a trend that has continued through virtually all of his later films.
This film is considered a "Zen Film" in that it was created in the distinct style of filmmaking, formulated by Scott Shaw, known as Zen Filmmaking. In this style of filmmaking no scripts are used.
‘’Samurai Johnny Frankenstein’’ experienced a video and DVD release in the United States
, Canada
, and the United Kingdom
. This film was released theatrically in Japan
and the Philippines
under the title, ‘’Atomic Samurai.’’
Scott Shaw
Scott Shaw is an American actor, author, journalist, film director, film producer, musician, professor and martial artist.-Early life:...
.
This film revolves around the interaction of Sam Rockmore, (played by Shaw) who is a Private Investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
in Hollywood, California and Hal, played by Kenneth H. Kim, who is a half human, half cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
on a mission to rid Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
of crime.
As is the case with many Scott Shaw films, this movie takes place in Hollywood, California. Another element, which is a trend in the films of Shaw, is that this film is shot in the run-down ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
sections of the city. This inner-city urban backdrop is a trend in virtually all of his films and is apparently used a conscious metaphor of artist expression.
This is the first feature film when Shaw introduced his reference to Blacksploitation cinema. This is a trend that has continued through virtually all of his later films.
This film is considered a "Zen Film" in that it was created in the distinct style of filmmaking, formulated by Scott Shaw, known as Zen Filmmaking. In this style of filmmaking no scripts are used.
‘’Samurai Johnny Frankenstein’’ experienced a video and DVD release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This film was released theatrically in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
under the title, ‘’Atomic Samurai.’’