If you’ve never heard of this 1987 obscurity, don’t worry—you’re in the majority. But for fans of the "Macaroni Combat" genre, director Edoardo Margheriti’s (under the pseudonym "E.G. Rowland") chaotic gem is a holy grail. And thanks to a recent 1080p restoration making the rounds, this bizarre mash-up of Shogun Assassin and Death Wish has never looked better—or more bonkers. Also known by its international title Il Giustiziere (The Executioner), this film is a perfect time capsule of late-80s Italian genre filmmaking. The plot is simple: A tough-as-nails half-Italian, half-Japanese cop (played by the stoic Vic Diaz) goes on a rampage after the Yakuza murders his family. Armed with a katana, a bad attitude, and a synth soundtrack that won’t quit, he dispenses justice in the streets of a nondescript European city pretending to be Tokyo.

But is it ? Absolutely.

🍝🍝🍝🍝 (4 out of 5 Spaghetti Western salutes)

Italian Shogun (Il Giustiziere) in 1080p is like cleaning a pair of vintage, beer-stained sunglasses. The view is still a little crooked, but now you can appreciate every crack and smear.

It belongs on the Mount Rushmore of "So bad it’s amazing" alongside Troll 2 and Miami Connection . If you love seeing a man in a business suit slice a ninja in half, then deliver a grim one-liner, this is your jam. While availability varies by region, the 1080p master is currently available via boutique streaming services specializing in Italian cult films (check out platforms like Midnight Pulp or the occasional limited run on Amazon Prime). Physical media collectors should keep an eye on labels like Severin Films or Cauldron Films—if they ever get the rights, a 4K UHD wouldn't be out of the question.

Have you seen this forgotten gem? Scream about it in the comments below. Respect the 'stache, respect the sword.

There are movies that are polished, predictable, and perfectly safe. And then there are movies like Italian Shogun (Il Giustiziere) .