Tetsuo, the Iron Man (1989)
"Tetsuo" (original title)

A strange man known only as the "metal fetishist", who seems to have an insane compulsion to stick scrap metal into his body, is hit and possibly killed by a Japanese "salaryman", out for a... See full summary »

Director:

Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Writer:

Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Stars:

Tomorowo Taguchi, Kei Fujiwara, Nobu Kanaoka

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tomorowo Taguchi	...	Man
Kei Fujiwara	...	Woman
Nobu Kanaoka	...	Woman in Glasses
Shin'ya Tsukamoto	...	Metal Fetishist
Naomasa Musaka	...	Doctor
Renji Ishibashi	...	Tramp

Storyline

A strange man known only as the "metal fetishist", who seems to have an insane compulsion to stick scrap metal into his body, is hit and possibly killed by a Japanese "salaryman", out for a drive with his girlfriend. The salaryman then notices that he is being slowly overtaken by some kind of disease that is turning his body into scrap metal, and that his nemesis is not in fact dead but is somehow masterminding and guiding his rage and frustration-fueled transformation.

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Plot Keywords:

metal | japanese | fetishist | transformation | telekinesis | 

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

1 July 1989 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Tetsuo, the Iron Man

Company Credits

Production Co:

Japan Home Video (JHV), K2 Spirit, Kaijyu Theater

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min 69 min 77 min (extended cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a play that Shin'ya Tsukamoto had written, directed, and performed in college.

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Quotes

Metals Fetishist: Together, we can turn this fucking world to rust!

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Crazy Credits

(after end credits) GAME OVER

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Connections

References Altered States (1980)

User Reviews

How'd they get my nightmare on film?

Wow. Unreal. You know what it feels like to bite down on aluminum foil or hearing chalk scratch on a blackboard through Bose speakers over and over again? This resembles what a viewing experience you'll have watching Tetsuo.

Trippy, bizarre, surreal. The sequence of events are just mind boggling that it's a bit trying to take it all in at once. The black and white definitely shows a very gritty, bleak environment and there's great use of dark color tones and shadow. Add some manic performances, great camera angles, and a very raw hardcore soundtrack which just intensifies the insanity even more. Definitely have to give it to the design crew because their attention to detail adds to the overall weirdness. There's even a love story in it too!

Very cool flick.