The Story Behind Samurai Cop

The definitive 'who, when and where' behind one of the most extraordinary genre movies ever made. I can’t help you with the ‘why'. This is the making of Samurai Cop!
Huge thanks to Mathew Karedas for his help and patience.
Samurai Cop is available through Cinema Epoch
As ever, you can watch this video uncut on my Patreon.
www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=71...
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/ @grandmasterericlee4240
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'The A to Z of Superhero Movies: From Abar to Zsazsa Via the MCU’
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UK - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1527244849
'The Bad Movie Bible: The Ultimate Modern Guide to Movies So Bad They’re Good'
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UK - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993240771
@BMovieBible on Twitter
00:00 Intro
01:25 Amir Shervan
04:45 Pre-production
07:10 Casting
16:30 The Shoot
23:25 The Reshoot, Re-reshoot and Post
29:10 The Aftermath
33:00 Where Are They Now?
39:23 Roundup

[@UlfhednarGuts]

One of the most underrated channels on KZbin.

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

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

[@user-cc6nb5th6x]

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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@michelleportelli5487]

​@@TheBadMovieBibleplease do borrowing blockbusters kongsploitation

[@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.

[@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.

[@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]

🧢

[@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.

[@AleksSlota]

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

[@vinceely2906]

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

[@thunderwarrior1759]

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

[@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.

[@user-cc6nb5th6x]

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

[@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.

[@peckules]

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

[@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.

[@TheZerech]

"With Hannon using his own handgun." Now that's a new one.

[@zetetick395]

We do see Charlie Bronson using his own favourite handgun (more like cannon) in the amazing Deathwish 3

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

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

[@Michael_Sinclair]

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

[@beneverett2392]

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

[@blondesummer7980]

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

[@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.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

God bless the fine people at Rifftrax for taking this one on.

[@user-cc6nb5th6x]

Also fanboy flicks.

[@grimcity]

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

[@jonothanthrace1530]

7:41 I saw Samurai Cop when Rifftrax did it live a few years ago and nearly fell out of my seat when this scene happened. It's kind of genius.

[@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. 🤣

[@monsieurmagic]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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".

[@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. 🎬

[@danwhitehead6228]

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

[@jcollins1305]

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

[@loommoon2301]

Love your work Rob , please never stop. 🙏🏻

[@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.

[@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!

[@ichigoya84]

This channel is superior quality

[@powerglover2021]

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

[@icapulet]

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

[@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!

[@youtubeletmeintoyoutube4580]

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

[@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

[@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

[@lillyaltland4359]

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

[@mattlandry]

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

[@davidfraser2946]

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.

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@conan2096]

i still really want that yarn lion

[@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.

[@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.

[@pseudotasuki]

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

[@rowsdowerpower]

My body is ready!

[@PWRFORCE_]

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

[@Malrottian]

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

[@dc9662]

Samurai Cop has everything - except a Tums festival.

[@MrBURSHAK]

The weekend just got better! Nice. Love the channel

[@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!!

[@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

[@we3bus]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@Liquidcadmus]

Wonderful job researching and presenting all this great information!

[@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.

[@DaboooogA]

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

[@guillaumebabey4484]

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

[@brdobie]

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

[@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.

[@lorenfulghum2393]

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

[@maxwassermann3171]

Samurai Cop is so good, it's still in my top 5 favourite bad movies. Also very informative video. This was actually the first time I've seen many of its actors in anything outside of Samurai Cop. Also I actually never noticed that the guy who has the very silly death scene in Killing American Style was actually Carter from Samurai Cop.

[@stevenscholl7383]

Just ... bravo! Chef's kiss!

[@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!

[@helpfulmole]

I randomly saw a screening of this two weeks ago in Gothenburg. It was my wife's first time and I gotta tell you with an audience this movie rules.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@mtank30]

Rob, you are doing the Lord's work, my friend. This was FANTASTIC! Please keep it up. Your videos make my day every time. Cheers!

[@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.

[@lonniestringfellow9854]

Samurai Cop is a freaking masterpiece. Period.

[@arnev2017]

The head on the piano lines always makes me laugh so hard 🤣

[@Pdotta1]

The ending line actually choked me up a bit.

[@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.

[@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

[@brandonprotega5175]

The opening is the best "trailer" I´ve ever seen! Got me so hyped to atually watch the damn movie 😅

[@Rottooth]

The story behind Samurai Cop was the real plot of this movie.

[@weirdproq]

Somehow I have all notifications on and it didn't notify me of this video. Glad I'm seeing this now!

[@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.

[@markula_4040]

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

[@pacoval4577]

this really lights up my day. thanks Rob!

[@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!

[@thenodfather]

Another great video thank you very much. The section you did about the locations was mind blowing Thank you.

[@Yaksniffer2]

Incredible work and research, as always . Hats off!

[@thunderwarrior1759]

I just can’t grasp how Matt and Mark haven’t been picked up to cameo’s in a ton of movies as their characters,that would be cool as fuck

[@UnwrittenSpade]

Jesus Christ this was a fun watch!

[@karthikabhiram]

Enjoyed this one Rob! A very nicely researched video!

[@parkerjanelle7853]

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

[@zacgorenc]

Phenomenal video as always! Thank you for the work you do!

[@edwardburek1717]

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

[@fedecano7362]

you research skills are top tier sir! thanks for yet again another amazing video, love your content, keep it up!

[@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?

[@ErikMeinhardtAnacortes]

This might be your best researched video yet. And that's saying a lot!

[@Jackalblade9]

Absolutely amazing video, and I'm very much looking forward to the next one!