MVD Entertainment Group To Give Retro Look To The Aug. 13 Blu-ray Debut Of Director Fred H. Dresch’s My Samurai

MVD Entertainment Group has tabbed Aug. 13 for the Blu-ray debut of director Fred H. Dresch’s 1992 direct-to-video action flick, My Samurai.   As the newest member of the company’s popular “Rewind Collection” promotional line — which was specifically set up to promote films just like My Samurai — they’ve really done their homework on this release.

Not only has MVD Entertainment Group created a cool VHS-era cover for the Blu-ray release — complete with a sticker for the “Easy Video” chain — but they’ve gone the extra mile and have tracked down cast members (the director, Fred H. Dresch died of cancer in 2003) and others associated with the production of the film (see bonus goodies for details).   That was no easy task since My Samurai had a VHS release in 1993 (from Imperial Video) and hasn’t been seen since.

The story itself has a teen named Peter (John Kallo), who could be a poster boy for “sullen moper,” who must suffer the indignity of taking Tae Kwon Do classes as ordered by his father (played by Terry O'Quinn — future three-time Emmy-nominee, and one-time winner, for his performance as John Locke on the TV series Lost).   He ends up being in the right place at the wrong time as becomes the sole witness to some gangland murders ordered by “Mr. Tszing” (Mako — Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Sand Pebbles) and has to take it on the lam.   

As it turns out, Peter’s only ally in his dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with “Mr. Tszing” — and his gang of thugs — is his Tae Kwon Do instructor Young Park (Julian Lee — Assassins’ Code, Dragon and the Hawk, Fatal Revenge, etc.).   Not only does he teach Peter the skills necessary to defend himself, but he also provides him with valuable life lessons and imbues in him a sense of discipline — a spirit — that the slacker teen was previously unfamiliar with.

My Samurai is the perfect trip down memory lane.  “What’s new on the rental shelf at the local video store this week?”  A treasure to be discovered — and, remember, after viewing … “be kind, rewind!”

Bonus features include newly-prepared video sessions with actor Julian Lee and veteran stunt coordinator, film producer, f/x whiz and actor Mark Steven Grove (his film debut here as Crest), plus the featurette titled “Watching My Scenes,” featuring actor Jim Turner (Arli$$, Granite Flats, etc.) who plays “Blue,” and the featurette titled “A Conversation with Christophe Clark” (French adult film star with over 400 film credits!!!).