Vengeance is Mine (1979)
"Fukushû suru wa ware ni ari" (original title)

Chronological exploits of Iwao Enokizu, a murderous thief on the lam.

Director:

Shôhei Imamura

Writers:

Masaru Baba (screenplay), Ryuzo Saki (novel)

Stars:

Ken Ogata, Rentarô Mikuni, Chôchô Miyako

21 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Ogata	...	Iwao Enokizu
Rentarô Mikuni	...	Shizuo Enokizu
Chôchô Miyako	...	Kayo Enokizu
Mitsuko Baishô	...	Kazuko Enokizu
Mayumi Ogawa	...	Haru Asano
Nijiko Kiyokawa	...	Hisano Asano
Taiji Tonoyama	...	Tanejiro Shibata
Goro Tarumi	...	Daihachi Baba (as Gorô Tarumi)
Moeko Ezawa	...	Chiyoko Hata
Kazuko Shirakawa	...	Sachiko Yoshizato
Frankie Sakai	...	Kawai Keibu
Torahiko Hamada	...	Yoshino Chôsakan
Yasuhisa Sonoda	...	Kuwata Keibuho
Akira Hamada	...	Ichikawa Keiji
Kazunaga Tsuji	...	Kuchiishi Keiji

Storyline

Iwao Enokizu is a middle-aged man who has an unexplainable urge to commit insane and violent murders. Eventually he is chased by the police all over Japan, but somehow he always manages to escape. He meets a woman who runs a brothel. They love each other but how long can they be together?

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Plot Keywords:

murder | police | freeze frame | sex | con man | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 October 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vengeance is Mine

Filming Locations:

Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imamura Productions, Shôchiku Eiga

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Shizuo Enokizu: You can only kill those who never harmed you.

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Connections

Version of Fukushû suru wa ware ni ari (2007)

User Reviews

Powerhouse!

I think this movie is an all around tour-de-force depiction of a sociopath. All aspects of this movie are superb. The main actor gives a truly chilling and convincing portrayal of a man with no conscience, at the same time giving his character great depth and complexity. Aside from being based on true events, this cold blooded murderer is much more realistic than the clever game-playing types portrayed in such films as "Silence of the Lambs". I would highly recommend this movie to all but the squeamish.