The Story Behind Samurai Cop

[@UlfhednarGuts]

One of the most underrated channels on KZbin.

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

Agreed, 100% agree. I honestly watch all his videos more than once

[@AmyWebster-u6l]

I love this channel.

[@EddieTHead2266]

Agreed

[@XeCuTioNR]

If it wasn't for Oliver Harper via twitter, I wouldn't have found this channel. Loved it since.

[@A55TRICKY]

He's not under rated. This kind of non frequent content is buried. He's research is so good it takes time. KZbin doesn't reward that so well. This passion. Probably just a side thing he likes doing on the side...unless it isn't and he's really doing it wrong. MAKE A HOT SAUCE!

[@KiramidHead]

I can't say I'm terribly proud of the fact I contributed to the Samurai Cop 2 kickstarter, but I got a signed copy of the original movie out of it, so I regret nothing.

[@francoisdesbiens2787]

It’s that bad ? 😕

[@toma.4808]

I am. I contributed and we got Joel Estevez and tommy wiseau in the cast. It's meant to be ridiculous and over the top so I have no problems with how the film turned out

[@dannybursace9151]

First round is on me, you’re alright in my book 📖

[@kenbrandt6100]

Three things: 1. This is the best Samurai Cop informational video I've seen on KZbin. Well done! 2. At least Amir Shervan had the balls to create something, and the courage to try. How many people don't attain goals and dreams of theirs not because they try and fail, but because they simply never make the attempt? Good on him. 3. As someone else wrote in another comment, what a delight to learn that the main players in the film all had happy endings and good lives, even those who have since passed away. Not one horror story about losing their life to drugs, or winding up in prison. 4. Damn, Melissa Moore is still a smokeshow! Okay, that was four things. Cheers!

[@AleksSlota]

"When Samurai Cop was finished..oh lets say stopped being made" 😀 I love the humor in these videos.

[@rinoz47]

Then how does Dangerous Men end?

[@guillaumebabey4484]

I don't know it people realise how freaking rare it is to see footage from Amir Shervan's early career!!

[@TheBadMovieBible]

I tried everything to source different pictures of him, but no joy. Once I found an actual movie he was in I lost my @#$%!

[@GrumpyMunkyGameDesign]

@@TheBadMovieBible Get more subs, you beautiful bastard!

[@Michelleabela5489]

​@@TheBadMovieBibleplease do borrowing blockbusters kongsploitation

[@dannybursace9151]

He has a later career? Can only imagine..we weren’t ready! 🍻

[@toughandgritty]

I was in SAMURAI COP 2, and originally, I was meant to play Robert Z'Dar's "enforcer," until we got word that the poor guy was in the hospital and wouldn't be arriving any time soon. So I just got stuck in random scenes here and there (and some of my scenes didn't even make the finished film). Was a weird, fun experience that I had only because a documentary I directed (EUROCRIME!) had been acquired by Greg Hatanaka's company shortly before he went into production on this.

[@daxbradley4346]

Very cool, thanks for sharing! It's wild how the pieces fall into place for crazy, unique projects like this.

[@SharronNeedles]

🧢

[@alexanderdesmouceaux4395]

It's actually very wholesome the fact that almost everybody had a happy ending. Im specialy happy that Hammond had a very Hollywood like happy ending.

[@krowochron]

As someone who remembers when VHSes first showed up in Poland in the 80s, I totally get why an Iranian would make this as the most American movie possible for the Eastern European VHS market.

[@peckules]

I love that piece of the interview with Cranston Komuro near the end. "Are you excited?" "No, I'm really not."

[@JoseBronxRican]

Damn right! I warn fans not to go into conniptions squeezing imagined purpose and meaning out of the decisions of people who just needed the cash. 😆

[@bobbarker14]

The amount of research that went into this video is mind boggling. I've skimmed the internet for this info over the years and found absolutely nothing on these actors and filmmaker. I'd be surprised if you don't end up with 100k subscribers by the end of the year. This is a top notch channel.

[@jean-marieproslier7142]

The final remaining mystery is who played the horny nurse, who's just credited as "Holland". According to IMDb, her full name is Ciri Holland with just one other credit, in a 1980 episode of Knots Landing. But it's the same IMDb that stated that Matt Hannon had died, so… I just hope that she didn't die in the crash of a jumbo jet.

[@jturnbow71]

We were so blessed that Mr. Shervan came to America to share his cinematic genius.

[@SuperMunchkin43]

That end bit about what everybody involved did after this movie was surprisingly uplifting and heartwarming. great to see and hear that things seem to have worked out pretty well for all these people.

[@jonothanthrace1530]

A lot of these weird cult films seem to carry a curse, so it's nice to hear about one that isn't.

[@SuperMunchkin43]

@@jonothanthrace1530 yeah, exactly.

[@AmyWebster-u6l]

The lady that got into saddlebred horses is involved in horse cruelty.

[@hangonsnoop]

Your writing and comic timing make this the best "bad movie" channel on KZbin.

[@zetetick395]

He really gets just the right edits for mining maximum comedy. 🤣

[@1987Liono]

Robert ZDar looks great with a beard. No joke.

[@DanielThureskog]

He sure does.

[@TheBadMovieBible]

He really does!

[@danheidel]

Came here to say this. Some men grow a beard to hide the lack of a chin. ZDar needed that beard for the opposite reason.

[@pseudotasuki]

Seriously! It's a shame his jaw was why he got most of his roles, because he plays so much more believable and menacing with the beard.

[@Mr.Nightcraft]

One of the rare men on the planet who won't feel like they have an underwhelming jaw after shaving.

[@vinceely2906]

Bad Movie Bible + Samurai Cop. That’s my weekend highlight sorted. Thank you!

[@ThunderWarrior01]

This documentary is well deserved and way over due. I’m hoping if this gets enough views Bad Movie Bible do more like Miami Connection or R.O.T.O.R maybe even Raiders Of Atlantis

[@blondesummer7980]

Samurai Cop, Future War, Soultaker, and Killing American Style... Z'dar was the man. RIP

[@palchristianandersen9086]

I've watched or listened to 5 different bad movie things do Samurai Cop and this is by far the most comprehensive and informative coverage of the movie.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

I love how uplifting this got by the end, bravo again Rob. The definitive documentary on such a legendary movie.

[@guaposneeze]

Me: "I've heard of this Samurai Cop movie. I think I know how bad movies happen. I probably don't need to watch this video about it." ... Me, three minutes later: "The making of this movie needs to be made into a movie. This is the wildest story. I wonder what the twists and turns will be once we actually get to the part about Samurai Cop."

[@andrewchapman4267]

It could definitely do with a 'Disaster Artist'-style tribute/exposé, couldn't it.

[@scorpiov]

A perfect storm of opportunities that led to this veritable masterpiece. People can say what they want, I was thoroughly entertained with this movie.

[@WillemUtUje]

Samourai Cop is the gift that keeps on giving and humanity's greatest chance of world peace.

[@williammitchell5201]

Every single episode is so well researched, well performed and edited. We're so lucky to have a video analyst like this for such obscure films.

[@grimcity]

"Ahh, the Episcopal church. That's very nice." Amazing work as always.

[@Michael_Sinclair]

The way the editing is spliced with the commentary is brilliant. Laughed all the way through this.

[@CMT_-tt4iv]

So many channels on KZbin cover bad movies, but none of them come close to the quality of The bad movie bible. The genuine love of the art form and respect for the people involved ( with some exceptions 😂) is fantastic. Mr Hill is also, very funny, in that way that only a Britt with to much knowledge of a subject can be. Also a huge shout out to the amount of research that goes in to these videos. Just mapping the car chase must have been a monumental task. Thanks for your hard work.

[@monsieurmagic]

Just when we needed him the most, he's back. Let's go!

[@dagestanihandcuffs]

Amazing. The multiple location section had me coughing up a lung.

[@jean-marieproslier7142]

Cameron/Cameron Oppenheimer wasn't just a recurring uncredited extra on The Next Generation. Her main job was actually to be one of the stand-ins for Gates McFadden, Dr. Crusher on the show, as they had both red hair and were of similar height. It was actually something that Star Trek did a lot. The stand-ins for the main cast were also used as background actors. The stand-in for DeForrest Kelley in the original series also appeared as Lt. Hadley in something like 60 episodes, never to say a line. And the principal stand-in for McFadden, Lorine Mendell, was engineer Giddings in as many episodes.

[@dannybursace9151]

She was so fine

[@loommoon2301]

Love your work Rob , please never stop. 🙏🏻

[@reignfire85]

As much fun as both the film and humorous commentary about it can be, I'm glad things ultimately worked out for everyone. We get a fun film, the careers of the cast go on, a massive fan following develops, and we even got a sequel. I watched the Rifftrax version of this but it's a wild ride either way and definitely worth checking out. Thanks for the making-of, Rob.

[@viljamtheninja]

Fujiyama means Japanese mountain. Also, the editing on this one is absolutely on point, so many hilarious perfectly timed cuts and other details, and that montage in the beginning was a thing of beauty.

[@jonothanthrace1530]

It specifically means Mt. Fuji, though Japanese residents call it "Fujisan".

[@Elcore]

​@@jonothanthrace1530Why are you correcting a guy that speaks fluent Japanese?

[@ichigoya84]

This channel is superior quality

[@tompuce84]

27:07 that wig my god, even better with a cap on 🤣🤣🤣

[@dc9662]

Samurai Cop has everything - except a Tums festival.

[@mattlandry]

"This black gift" has to be the craziest line in movie history 😂

[@daphukisdat3514]

Well it is charcoal black.

[@jcollins1305]

Not all heroes wear capes, Mr. Hill. I salute you!

[@fletchkeilman2205]

Well.....my weekend is set!! Thank you, as always, for your insight. I don't even care if I "know everything" about whatever film you are talking about. Your documentaries, and/or supplemental materials, are near perfect vehicles to either introduce others to certain films, or are amazing companion pieces that gives further insight to those who think they have seen it all. So damn awesome, and I thank you for it

[@GinisisDroid]

Even wikipedia cant provide with this much information this guy's have, huge respect for you hard work and dedication, you deserve much more attention

[@hellstorm2004]

I did some unofficial promoting of your channel on a Facebook group. I just love your content and more people should watch it. True GOLD!!

[@icapulet]

this long-form, documentarian approach to single, memorable movies is golden. keep it up.

[@danwhitehead6228]

I literally just watched Samurai Cop for the first time yesterday so this is perfect - if spooky - timing.

[@conan2096]

i still really want that yarn lion

[@owen-trombone]

The editing of these videos is freaking amazing.

[@markula_4040]

21:56 Favorite scene from the movie. Just the sound of the arm hitting the ground is hilarious.

[@curtisnewton895]

the amount of work in your videos, looking for footages of actors in other stuffs, that is so rad

[@we3bus]

The sharp editing and wry dry humor in your videos is just the best, man!

[@CREATERpl]

This kind of movies were super popular in Poland in the VHS era... Gliniarz Samuraj was often standing (as I recall - usually next to something like Chopping Mall ) on a prominent place in most of the early video rentals :) The fun thing is it is playing in selected Polish cinemas from time to time, next to Miami Connection, The Room and other megahits like these. Now there are screenings of Hard Ticket To Hawaii :)

[@lillyaltland4359]

This is the finest hour--er, 40 minutes--of the best channel on KZbin. Well done!

[@tonyaanjean]

The Rifftrax version of this is one of my go to things to listen to when falling asleep, it’s hilarious. I really appreciate the research and hilarious editing that went into this, a lot of it I’d never hear before. The only thing that could have possibly made it better would be a backstory on that crazy lion head on the wall of the restaurant. Great work!

[@powerglover2021]

I love this movie. I enjoy watching it as it is and the Rifftrax version.

[@youtubelube5623]

Can we all appreciate this man's dedication to getting the back stories of the making of movies and the information on what the actors are doing now. Such detail is what makes this channel so great.

Nifty...! Here are some more films I'd love to see "The Story Behind" (just in case they aren't slated already!): * No Place to Hide (1992) * Logan's War: Bound By Honor (1998) * The President's Man (2000) * Robin and the Dreamweavers (2000) * The President's Man 2: A Line In the Sand (2002) Please and thanks, BMB!

Just thought of one more: * Showdown (1993)

[@edguty3811]

What a terrific, heartfelt video…a wonderful send off to Amir and his legacy.

[@paganarh]

Thank you for this summary. These kinds of stories have to be recorded as they are usually passion projects and bring together so many interesting people and creative ways of filming.

[@RE_FLEXX]

The weekend just got better! Nice. Love the channel

[@fletchkeilman2205]

Also.....I did a film with Z'dar towards the end of his life, as well as having worked with him during conventions while I ran 3 mom and pop video stores outside Chicago. It was a ....unique experience....to say the least. One day I will share it with you when I have time to type, hahahaha Post script.....Gerald Okimura is an icon and legend. I hope he and Al Leong get a chance to make another epic together, alongside James Lew and Eric Lee.

[@markearnestfromreno613]

Another fantastic and thorough job on the jewels of the so-bad-it’s-rad film world. A nice surprise to see someone I actually know too (Robb Russo, indeed an excellent musician and actor based in Reno).

[@pseudotasuki]

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate how you insert your own sense of humor into thise videos.

[@andrewchristopherreeves1294]

This is my favourite KZbin channel. The editing, research, and love of film-making shine with such ineffable brilliance... I can't fathom the time and effort that goes into these videos. Thank you for work!

[@buffalodebill1976]

I truly adore this movie 🙂

[@BennysBenz]

You really did your research! The song at the end is sung by Andy Madadian, known by his stage name Andy he is a famous Iranian pop singer and also was one half of the duo Andy and Kouros. Andy also sang the song for the movie Hollywood Cop. I remember watching a VCR tape that had a segment promoting Andy and the song he sang for the movie Hollywood Cop. 🎬

[@brdobie]

As someone who loves all the content on this channel, I think this might be my favorite video!

[@davidfrasier2946]

National Video ad (Westphal Plaza,Wyse Rd) was in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where I rented movies when I was a kid! I have memories of that commericial! Small world.

[@kylerswamp1075]

Love the deep dive format too. 5 stars

[@TheCatBilbo]

Brilliant & hilarious as ever - the multiple locations was fantastic. Criminally under-subscribed given how great the channel is. My only issue is the narration sound level is a bit low, whilst the clip level a bit high. Volume up to hear narration leads to too high for clips.

[@nebbs]

I've been watching 'making of' features since forever (Criterion laserdiscs in the 90s anyway) and this is in my top five. Excellent work. Thank you.

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

My favorite bad movie. The Room is second. Then Dr Black, Mr Hyde. And finally Troll 2. Though it's been a very long time since i watched Troll 2. Plan 9 From Outer Space is also fun, though it's a bit too boring to rewatch very often.

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

"Tonally Innovative" you're just great. Thanks for another great & informative clip about a "Epic" movie. Was that the Iron Shiek of the WWE fame @2:10 singing in the Man From Islahan?

[@dannybursace9151]

That’s right!! Z’Dar was in Tango & Cash! He was in a ton of movies but forgot that one…legend!

[@SebastianMikulec]

Thank you for putting together this deep dive into the history of legitimately one of my favorite movies of all time. What a perfect train wreck of a film.

[@Senshinobi]

Seen quite a lot of videos about Samurai Cop but yours is hands down the best one out there. So many movie details I haven't heard of before, background infos about the cast and what else they did in their career. Thank you so much for your outstanding work. :)

[@Ajae78]

This is honestly amazing! I always hoped someone would do a documentary about this insane film and you went above and beyond! You earned a new subscriber!

[@toma.4808]

Samurai cop and samurai cop 2 are guilty pleasures for me. I contributed to the kickstart for samurai cop 2. No regrets

[@michaelorso867]

Your videos are so fun to watch. As an editor/producer, I really can appreciate the amount of work you put into these videos.

[@JohnVullo]

I've loved the research you've done on b movie genres. I'm only 10 mins in and completely blown away at all this info and knowledge. Absolutely incredible

[@lonniestringfellow9854]

Samurai Cop is a freaking masterpiece. Period.

[@guillaumebabey4484]

Okay, even for a seasoned "nanarophile" like me, they are a LOT of new information here, I am floored!!

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

I saw the notification for this video while I was literally shoveling dirt at the bottom of a hole today, and it made me smile. Let's do this!

[@geoffkeeys6946]

I've seen this movie a number of times and seen many try to break it down and explain it. This is the first time that I have seen such a comprehensive deep dive into this classic. Thank you.

[@DaboooogA]

Very impressive level of research has clearly gone into this, particularly the section on the geography of LA!

[@AoifeBheag]

I adore the RiffTrax version of SAMURAI COP. Thank you so much for undertaking such an impressively thorough deep dive on this exquisitely fetid piece of cinematic cheese. :-)

[@UnwrittenSpade]

Jesus Christ this was a fun watch!

[@Liquidcadmus]

Wonderful job researching and presenting all this great information!

[@youtubeletmeintoyoutube4580]

Heck yes I watched this a lot on a free rifftrax channel that came with my smart tv

[@parkerjanelle7853]

Samurai Cop is the b-movie gift that keeps on giving. Great work as always Rob!

[@jayak3768]

There are considerably more hours of entertainment documentaries on the samurai cop than the run time of the movie itself.

[@edwardburek1717]

Thanks very much for this Rob. Now the legend has been told, it deserves a wider audience.

[@dennisrounds1996]

Thank you for introducing Me to this movie and all the actual lore behind it !

[@krombopoulosmichael]

Incredible. It's a niche subject but this should have WAY more views. I subbed a while ago and this is my first comment. More to come, surely. Fantastic job mate.

[@PWRFORCE_]

I appreciate the visual of the old Dodge street van from Samurai Cop "driving" across the world. It made me cackle.

[@MrBjanders]

Watching Samurai Cop bombards you with existential questions constantly, and this answers as many of them as I could ever hope to understand. Great work!

[@PorcoWest]

This was a wonderful doc Rob thank you for your work it was great to see the round up at the end happy that it ended well for everyone involved.

[@Malrottian]

Really good deep dive on Samurai Cop. The section with all the sequential locations was just

[@artemvsprime]

I was just wondering about this movie like 2 weeks ago and now you’ve made a video about it so I can rest!

[@lorenfulghum2393]

Wow, great editing on that montage... those gunshots were literally right on beat!

[@viggohansson728]

I love these videos. Me and my friends would sometimes rent these types of movies when we were in our teens a little over 20 years ago. Many of them were way more entertaining than the average comedies coming out of Hollywood.

[@davidjames579]

Love that the Polish video cover for Matt Hannan's credits just says he was Sylvester Stallone's Double! I've heard From The Studio That Brought You but this takes the biscuit for tenous connections.

[@zankerfeld9596]

Great video, incredibly well researched! I've been a fan of this movie for years, and it taught me a lot about it!

[@jeffgeer2720]

I only have one compliant about this and previous 'story behind' vids.... they are those rare things that are so well done that you enjoy every minute and they just fly by in a flash .. (as opposed to being boring and seem to drag on making it hard to get through which these are not in any way) Having seen this film in both riffed (rifftrax live) and unriffed it is an amazing amount of new to me background info that humorously makes me want more :P

[@jabroni808]

Recently found your channel and I've watched every upload now less than 2 weeks later. Also ordered your books. Really great stuff, keep it up!