The Yakuza
by Sydney Pollack
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Actor: Brian Keith, Herb Edelman, Ken Takakura, Richard Jordan, Robert MitchumDirector: Sydney Pollack
Brand: Warner Brothers
Cinematographer: Kôzô Okazaki
Producer: Sydney Pollack
Producer: Koji Shundo
Producer: Michael Hamilburg
Writer: Leonard Schrader
Writer: Paul Schrader
Writer: Robert Towne
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0; Japanese (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.40:1
Running Time: 112 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-23
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Model: 75315
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Yakuza
DVD Review: sidney pollack's magnificent cross cultural crime drama . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
The Yakuza (1974) is a superb west meets east crime drama, set in Japan involving the shadowy organized crime hierarchy known as the Yakuza. Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum) served in the army in postwar Japan, and is returning to the land of the rising sun, for the first time in over twenty years, to help his old army buddy George Tanner (Brian Keith), recover his kidnapped daughter.
Today, many Americans are familiar with some elements of the Japanese culture, like martial arts, ninjas, samurai warriors, and the Yakuza. Much less was known about such things in 1974, when versatile director Sidney Pollack took on this challenging project, where about 95% of the action was shot in Japan. Working with a Japanese film crew, and communicating through a translator, it was most fortunate that Pollack had a solid screenplay to work from.
Rather than an all out action film, The Yakuza, has a real story with many subtle undertones. As Japanese beliefs are very different from those in the west, a certain amount of cultural education was made a part of the film. The story begins in postwar Japan, where Harry Kilmer with the military police, saves the life of Eiko Tanaka (Keiko Kishi) a young widow struggling to survive with her daughter Hanako. Harry loves Eiko, but she refuses to marry him. In 1951, Eiko`s brother Ken (Takakura Ken), thought to have been killed in the war, miraculously returns from the dead. Harry helps Eiko to buy a bar as a farewell gift, before returning to America.
Kilmer returns to Japan with Dusty Hoeskstra (Richard Jordan), along for added muscle. They are staying at the home of Oliver Wheat (Herb Edelman), another army buddy who chose to stay in Japan. Harry has a warm reunion with Eiko, and Hanako (Christina Kokubo) who is now a young woman. George Tanner, always a wheeler dealer, made a deal to deliver guns to Tono, a member of the Yakuza, Japan's mysterious version of the mafia. Tono kidnaps Tanner's daughter, when the deal goes sour. Ken Tanaka is now a martial arts instructor, but at one time was a member of the Yakuza. Harry contacts Ken, to request his help in freeing Tanner's daughter. Firearm ownership was largely prohibited in Japan, but Wheat is a collector, and provides Kilmer and Dusty with guns. The rescue mission is successful, but lives are lost, setting in motion a series of violent and tragic events, and revealing a twenty year old secret.
With powerful understated performances by Mitchum, and Takakura Ken, the situation slowly builds to an inevitable confrontation, that mixes traditional Japanese sword fighting with firearms. The final battle between Ken, and Tono's Yakuza gang members is very deliberate, and well choreographed by Pollack. Slower paced than a traditional Japanese fight, the scene is quite effective, as tension is allowed to build, and each kill can be appreciated more.
Even after the fighting is done, the ancient Japanese belief in `giri' (obligation), and the importance of honor, which has been the motivation for much that has occurred, continues to be the protocol that must be followed. Kilmer eventually comes to believe that `giri' applies even to him, and in a remarkable gesture, responds in the traditional Japanese fashion. For some, the Japanese perspective may forever remain a mystery.
Sidney Pollack's commentary is full of insights about the production of this unique film. Working with a crew and some cast, that did not speak English, making a movie that is both poignant, and with impressive action sequences, is a notable achievement. Pollack's honesty is striking, when he says that the film belongs to the 70's, and that he is uncertain if he would make the film today. This was one of the early bridges between eastern and western mainstream studios, in the action/crime genre. Very credible, with great performances by all, extremely well-written, with many cultural nuances that the average westerner may not appreciate, it is more than a violent shoot/slice `em up. This is the first of several Pollack films to be scored by jazz great Dave Grusin, and he does a fine job of melding smooth jazz with Asian elements.
Although Mitchum was capable of greatness, Pollack says that like a mule, at times took some coaxing to get the best out of him. Fortunately it appears that Pollack provided that coaxing, as Mitchum's performance is stellar, without pretense, and always ringing true, with even his pronunciation of Japanese smooth and natural. A period piece perhaps, but Pollack's film is quite the insightful masterpiece.
Description of The Yakuza
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