Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972)

Film number one introduces us to master swordsman Ogami Ittō and his young son, Daigoro. It then gives the father's reasons for choosing the difficult rōnin lifestyle, for becoming the ‘lone wolf’ of the title.
Through careful juxtaposition and the occasional flashback to two years previous we quickly get the measure of the man and an insight into the world in which he lives. Ittō steps out of symbolic darkness to perform his task in the light – he's the official executioner for the Tokugawa Shogunate, expected to kill with one stroke, time and time again. The position brings with it certain privileges that make him the envy of other clans. One clan in particular, the Yagyū, want the power that the executioner has for themselves.
It's a film for fans of violent Chanbara or exploitation cinema in general.

4 white roads out of 5