[6] Of course, not all of the mainstream critics liked the film. Harry says goodbye to Eiko. She says Ken is in danger even though he would never say so. In the movie, Mitchum plays a WW - II veteran, Harry Kilmer, who reluctantly returns to Japan after a gap of over two decades in order to retrieve an old friend's daughter abducted by a Yakuza outfit. Despite it’s lackluster initial release, the film has since gained a cult following. Ken greats Harry with a respectful san. Harry tells Ken that Tanner originally lent the money to him to buy Kilmer House for Eiko. Get More From IMDb. Would make a fascinating double billing with Blade Runner. Harry and Dusty are getting ready to leave Wheat’s home when Eiko comes by. Others thought the surrender announcement was a trick. Critic Reviews. American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza. The credits roll with a history of Yakuza and their concept of honor. The Yakuza is certainly something entirely different from anything I’ve seen Mitchum do or anything I’ve seen Sydney Pollack direct. He never bought the guns. Instead of becoming a prostitute, she became a black marketer. The film has some shocking elements as it delves into Japanese concepts of honor and debt. Now Playing: Yakuza: Like A Dragon Video Review Like a Dragon starts anew, providing an entry point for those who have never played a Yakuza game before. She was trying to explain how Tanner was always untrustworthy. User Rating (4 votes) 9.00 / 10. Trailer. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza[2] https://nyti.ms/3aUDYb3[3] https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-yakuza-1975[4] https://cinephiliabeyond.org/sydney-pollacks-the-yakuza-the-merging-of-two-worlds-in-a-timeless-gangster-classic/[5] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073918/[6] https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_yakuza1975[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Kokubo[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Japan[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo[10] https://allthatsinteresting.com/hiroo-onoda[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout, The Big Sleep (1978) Poster Hello to all of the[...], The Violent Men (1955) Don't force me to fight because[...], El Dorado (1967) Poster He ain't put that stopper back[...], The Woman on Pier 13 (1949) Classic Movie Review 241 https://is.gd/2SQsyo #crime #filmnoir, #otd 5/15/2011 we sadly lost Barbara Stuart Born 1930 - Died 2011 #BarbaraStuart #OTD, The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Classic Movie Review 194 https://is.gd/uv8iRC #drama. tokyofox.net/2018/05/21/kyoto-filming-locations-the-yakuza-1974/ Review by Chris Quinn ★★★½ One of those slow, somewhat boring but also cool 70s movies that I can't help but like regardless. 1 Video total | Show All. Released in 1974, “The Yakuza” has everything to be a box office powerhouse, but legendary screenwriter Paul Schrader says the reception to the film was “Disastrous. Following a small role in Just Between Friends (1986), she landed a long-term role on televisions “St. | A building 70s thriller. Als Druckmittel entführt der Mafioso dessen Tochter und droht damit, sie … The Basics. You need to be logged in to continue. Harry asks about Eiko (Keiko Kishi) and is told he sees her each Christmas at Kilmer House, and she always asks about Harry. Synopsis: Harry Kilmer returns to Japan after several years in order to rescue his friend George’s kidnapped daughter – and ends up on the wrong side of the Yakuza, the notorious Japanese mafia… Kungfu movies crept into the American market almost backward, with producers named Run Run Shaw and budgets around $19.95. Superb mystery, action movie and meditation on honour and friendship. Indeed, I found 'The Yakuza' a perfect must-see film. It's nice that some of the combat mechanics vary between each game, but the fighting sequences become so repetitive and predictable after playing a few entries. Harry leaves to find Ken. Each man has a bandaged left hand. There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. Eiko tells Harry that Ken has a brother, Goro (James Shigeta), who is an advisor to all Yakuza clans. Sadly, Kokubo died early in 2007 of breast cancer. I have to agree with the preponderance of viewers here who rate this as a neglected classic of the 70's. Harry is not happy about the job. Harry tells Goro about the attack. Metacritic Reviews. Tanner and Kato come in to see Tono. Some believed the Japanese Emperor was divine and could not be defeated. "The Yakuza" became worse, and when a night club scene arrived in which a singer performed a ballad about the yakuza code, I knew I only had two options. She primarily worked in Japanese films. The presently private investigator and real-estate agent Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum) is bonded to Japan culture. Care to add one? Rated R. 112 mins. But now, here's the first American version of Japan's favorite genre, the yakuza movie, and it's a handsome expensive production with a great performance by Robert Mitchum and a scary one by Ken Takakura, Japan's box office champion. Pollack was drawn to the script of The Yakuza because it dealt with honor, obligation, friendship, and lost love. I do not know how this movie remains unknown for worldwide viewers (there are just a few votes in IMDb) and why it has not been released on DVD. He was transferred to one of the smaller Philippine islands on December 26, 1944. I hope you enjoyed today’s show. An Americanized take on a traditionally Japanese sub-genre. The film is about a retired American detective who returns to Japan after being decades away in order to rescue his friend's daughter, kidnapped by the eponymous crime … Awards When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear a news story ever years or so that a Japanese soldier had been found on an island and finally surrender. Add to Watchlist. For this reason alone, therefore – but also in view of Mitchum's involvement, the noir trappings of the plot and the exotic locale – THE YAKUZA is a title which has long intrigued me. He says Tanner and Tono have been working to take over Goro’s position. The men inside are armed with only swords. Superb East-meets-West movie, I suspect largely due to Schrader's insight. The story is rich and multi-layered, featuring not one but two sets of star-crossed lovers in a brilliant and melancholy examination of contrasting themes of memory, secrets and betrayal, friendship, honor and obligation. I admit that I never liked his films. Harry and Dusty go to stay at Wheat’s house. The world premiere for The Yakuza was held in Tokyo on December 21, 1974, and Warner Bros. took out full-page ads for the film touting its review in Variety, which called it "a uniquely satisfying thriller, one with substance in its serious consideration of the moral codes we choose to live by with or without ritual." A mystery, an action thriller, a fascinating reading of East/West cultural differences, and a moving meditation on friendship and honour, this film satisfies on a number of levels. All aspects of the film - performances, script, and direction - raise this to the level of greatness. How twisted is that with so many fine Japanese actors and actresses. Herb Edelman played the rather strange role of Wheat, an American that stayed in Japan to teach and lives with his cats and massive weapons collection. $69.99. The Yakuza (1974) Genre: Thriller Action Mystery Director: Sydney Pollack ... 0 reviews total . Writer Paul Schrader followed this with his script for Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver", while Robert Towne had already written Hal Ashby's "The Last Detail" and --also in 1974-- Roman Polanski's "Chinatown": "The Yakuza" proves how good Scorsese, Ashby and Polanski were, and that Sydney Pollack was a standard filmmaker. Product arrived on the day it was due. 1974 Directed by Sydney Pollack. Outstanding performance by Ken Takakura ("Ken Tanaka")! Sort by. Robert Mitchum - The Signature Collection (Angel Face / Macao / The Sundowners / Home from the Hill / The Good Guys and the Bad Guys / The Yakuza) Robert Mitchum. Harry asks why Wheat and Tanner are no longer in contact. Ken says he is no longer Yakuza but will try. and BR fans are bound to find this a rewarding experience. And then, there was The Yakuza (1974), Sydney Pollack’s fusion of both. The movie does not shrink from violence; the various scenes of assassination and slaughter could have been done by Peckinpah. Ken shows up unexpectedly. Harry and Dusty bust inside with their guns drawn. It seems we have the best of both Schrader's here; Leonard really understands the Japanese culture and Paul is a very cerebral and thematic writer who almost always raises a number of interesting issues. In 1976, she had a significant role in the star-studded Midway (1976). Helpfulness Review Date Total Votes Prolific Reviewer Review Rating. Worldwide (mil) Tickets Review % Oscar Nom / Win UMR Score ReleaseDate; The Yakuza (1974) 53.4: 77.6: 5: 61: 00 / 00 A total of five men invade the home, including one wearing a hat. 4.7 out of 5 stars 117. Ken is checking for spider tattoos as he fights. Ken says Harry is family. The great film critic Roger Ebert rates this movie 3.5 stars out of 4. The last Japanese soldier to come out of hiding during World War II was Hiroo Onoda. The Yakuza Review By Paul Brenner In 1974, the advertisements for Sidney Pollack's Americanized Japanese gangster movie The Yakuza stated, "A man doesn't forget. With restored content and updated localization in 1080p and 60fps, experience the complete Yakuza collection on one console for the first time in history. When the brother accepts the debt for the dead nephew is paid. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. At that time, he was 52 years old. Nakamura came in on December 18, 1974. I want to welcome any new visitors. The Yakuza is a 1974 neo-noir crime drama film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Mitchum, Ken Takakura and Brian Keith.The screenplay by Paul Schrader and Robert Towne is from a story by Leonard Schrader.. Ken has a sword, and Harry has a couple of pistols and a double-barrel shotgun. FAQ | Harry goes to the Kendo Hall in Kyoto. 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