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The Yakuza (1974)

 -  Action | Crime | Drama  -  March 1975 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 3,490 users  
Reviews: 34 user | 30 critic

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...

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Title: The Yakuza (1974)

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Harry Kilmer
...
Tanaka Ken (as Takakura Ken)
...
George Tanner
...
Wheat
...
Dusty
Keiko Kishi ...
Eiko (as Kishi Keiko)
...
Tono (as Okada Eiji)
...
Goro
Kyôsuke Machida ...
Kato
Christina Kokubo ...
Hanako
Eiji Gô ...
Spider (as Go Eiji)
Lee Chirillo ...
Louise
M. Hisaka ...
Boyfriend
William Ross ...
Tanner's Guard
Akiyama ...
Tono's Guard
Edit

Storyline

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... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

japan | yakuza | love | business | mafia | See more »

Taglines:

Separated by blood and centuries - United by a Woman - Now, hurled together against the Yakuza . . . brotherhood of the East. See more »


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

|

Release Date:

March 1975 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Yakuza  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The gambling game played by the Yakuza in the film is Tehonbiki. See more »

Goofs

The boom mic is clearly visible in one scene when Oliver Wheat grabs his cat while telling the story of Eiko to Dusty, the mic appears behind the table and is retracted as Wheat advances. See more »

Quotes

Dusty: That guy doesn't like you.
Harry Kilmer: No, not much.
Dusty: So how come you figure you can trust him?
Harry Kilmer: Giri.
Dusty: Gitty?
Harry Kilmer: Giri. Obligation.
Dusty: You mean he figures he owes you something?
Harry Kilmer: Yeah, sort of.
Dusty: Well, that can work two ways, Kilmer. If you ain't alive tomorrow, he don't owe you shit.
See more »

Connections

Remade as The Yakuza See more »

Soundtracks

"Only the Wind"
Japanese Lyrics Yû Aku (as Aku Yu)
Composed by Dave Grusin
See more »

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User Reviews

 
widely unrecognized gem
9 January 2002 | by See all my reviews

I have to agree with the preponderance of viewers here who rate this as a neglected classic of the 70's. All aspects of the film - performances, script, and direction - raise this to the level of greatness. This is certainly among Mitchum's greatest performances - his subdued, world-weary toughness undergirds the movie. The story as has been noted, is a rich and multilayered one with a sadness that aspires to and quite nearly reaches the level of tragedy. It also must be noted that this is one of the most effective portrayals of Japanese culture on celluloid. The movie does not shrink from violence; the various scenes of assassination and slaughter could have been done by Peckinpah. The movie deserves a restoration and should be brought to tv in letterbox mode. (Are you listening, American Movie Classics?)


31 of 34 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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