Directed by: Lance Mungia
Starring: Jeffrey Falcon, Justin McGuire, Stephane Gauger
What a weird movie. Six-String Samurai is the sort of movie that has “independent” written all over it. It’s a post-apocalyptic action movie with samurai swords and rock and roll and death in a top hat. What part of that doesn’t sound like the product of something you and your buddies come up with at 3AM after a long night of drinking?
In this alternate future, the cold war ended in nuclear holocaust, leaving Las Vegas the center of civilization in North America, with the King in charge. Yep, Elvis rules America. Unfortunately, as the opening tells us, the King has died and Vegas needs a new ruler. Enter Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon), a Buddy Holly look-alike with a guitar, katana, and bad attitude. On his way to Vegas he comes across a helpful kid (Justin McGuire), a family of cannibals, an evil bowling team, a spinach monster, a squad of communists, and Death himself. What a weird movie.
Jeffrey Falcon, co-writer and choreographer of Six-String Samurai, is not an actor. Neither are any of the people in this movie, really. This can be a drawback for a movie, sure, but everyone’s odd performances lend an extra level to the otherworldliness cultivated in this movie’s atmosphere. Not to say it wouldn’t be much better with real actors. No, not at all. But Six-String manages to keep it’s momentum and interest going despite it’s flaws.
Most of all, Six-String Samurai is a very quotable movie. There isn’t much dialog in the film, but when there is, the strange phrases and stilted reads become hilarious. Lines like, “Nice suit. Nice suit TO DIE IN!” and “If you were me, you’d be good lookin’.” have entered my vocabulary permanently since watching this movie. Is that a draw to it? I guess. If you’re really into communicating in nothing but quotes (the Family Guy Generation, I call them), this is a must-see. If you aren’t, but you want to watch something weird and fun, Six-String is a good choice. If you can find it.
Films in Boxes 
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