Here's a few that are easy to find, before I go meet my man for perishable combustibles. These are some of his collabs with Sonny Chiba, who was his main actor to use along with Bunta Sagawa. I'm gonna comment on them a bit tomorrow if nobody beats me to it.
Yaguy Conspiracy - Chiba is Jubei Yaguy but he's just a part of a large cast of great actors. The story has a lot of historical basis, centering on the successesion within the Shogunate. A great mix of political intrigue, character drama and ninja/samurai action, plus you find out how Jubei lost his eye. The production values are impecable. The story is well written, there is several plot threads that play out and intersect to tie up to a satisfying and believable ending. This movie actually started a tv series centered around Yaguy family history.
This is probably my fave Fukusaku, I love how all the elements come together so well in this.
Samurai Reincarnation - don't even bother with this unless you have the restored, remastered, full version with japanese dub and english subs - pretty much the specific dvd I posted is the only way to go for an American release. All other versions are terrible quality and are missing most of the middle of the movie.
This is much more action oriented than Yaguy conspiracy. The serious historical drama is not here, it's replaced with a supernatural revenge angle and plenty of awesome swordfights.
The money shot is the end - the fight between Sonny Chiba reprising the role of Jubei and Tomabisuro Wakayama as his father. Wakayama is best known for being Ogammi Itto in Shogun Assasin and the Lone wolf and cub series. He was the brother of Shintaro Katsu, the original Zatoichi, and appears in a few Zatoichi titles as well as the Wicked Priest series. He's a big guy, but moves incredibly, I think he was a judo champ before getting in the movies. The speed with which he draws his sword must me seen to be believed.
This is highly recommended for fans of chambara, the action oriented side of samarai cinema. If you liked ninja scroll this would be up your alley also.
