Charles Bronson was one of my favorite actors during my teen years. His brawny features were among his strengths. His distinctive voice and the way he squinted his eyes while talking were other aspects that I enjoyed. I was introduced to him through Terence Young's 'Red Sun.' I liked the movie very much for its well-woven plot.
The story revolves around two bandit leaders and their gang members who plan to rob a Washington-bound train carrying money. Simultaneously, a Japanese ambassador is traveling on the same train with his samurai bodyguards. During the robbery, one of the ambassador's bodyguards is killed. Alain Delon, one of the bandit leaders, double-crosses by throwing dynamite into the compartment where the other bandit leader, Charles Bronson, is located.
Charles Bronson is injured but survives. The ambassador carries a ceremonial sword that is stolen by Alain Delon's gang. The sword is intended as a gift for the President of the USA. Nursed back to health by the ambassador, Charles Bronson recovers. However, there is urgency as the sword must be presented to the President within six days.
The ambassador orders Charles Bronson and one of his samurai bodyguards to retrieve the stolen sword from the other bandit leader, Alain Delon. If they fail to find the sword in time, they must adhere to the Samurai code of ethics and commit suicide. Charles Bronson and the samurai bodyguard embark on their journey, determined to locate the stolen sword swiftly.
To obtain the sword and his share of the loot, Charles Bronson plans to leverage Alain Delon's girlfriend, featured by Ursula Andress, the Bond girl who gained fame for her role in Dr. No. The story unfolds with Charles Bronson attempting, at times unsuccessfully, to escape from the accompanying samurai bodyguard. As they journey, a kind of relationship develops between them.
Another captivating feature in the movie is the sword-handling talent of the samurai bodyguard, portrayed by ToshirÅ Mifune.
I watched 'Red Sun' at the Rio Theatre in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The Rio Theatre was a hall converted into a movie theatre belonging to the municipal council of Jaffna.
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