Branded to Kill (1967)

After a badly done assignment, a hitman finds himself in conflict with his organisation, and one mysterious and dangerous fellow-hitman in particular.

Director:

Seijun Suzuki

Writers:

Hachiro Guryu (screenplay), Hachiro Guryu

Stars:

Jô Shishido, Mariko Ogawa, Annu Mari

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jô Shishido	...	Gorô Hanada (as Joe Shishido)
Mariko Ogawa	...	Mami Hanada
Annu Mari	...	Misako Nakajô (as Anne Mari)
Kôji Nanbara	...	No. 1
Isao Tamagawa	...	Michihiko Yabuhara
Hiroshi Minami	...	Gihei Kasuga
Hiroshi Chô
Atsushi Yamatoya
Takashi Nomura
Tokuhei Miyahara
Hiroshi Midorikawa
Akira Hisamatsu	...	(as Kôsuke Hisamatsu)
Iwae Arai
Yû Izumi
Kyôji Mizuki

Storyline

The number-three-ranked hit-man, with a fetish for sniffing boiling rice, fumbles his latest job, which puts him into conflict with a mysterious woman whose death wish inspires her to surround herself with dead butterflies and dead birds. Worse danger comes from his own treacherous wife and finally with the number-one-ranked hit-man, known only as a phantom to those who fear his unseen presence.

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Plot Keywords:

surrealism | yakuza | female rear nudity | controversy | murder of a nude woman | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

15 June 1967 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Branded to Kill

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nikkatsu

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Nikkatsu studio executives saw the finished product, they thought it was too terrible to be released, so they shelved it. Director Seijun Suzuki along with others in the film business, film critics, and students protested in unfairness since by contract Nikkatsu was supposed to release the finished film theatrically. It went to court, with a ruling in favor of the director. Nikkatsu had to pay for damages and have the film released. Suzuki's contract with Nikkatsu was terminated, and with the bad reputation, was unable to work on a feature film for the next 10 years.

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Quotes

Misako Nakajô: [deadpan] I love you.
Gorô Hanada: Don't despise me!

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Connections

Referenced in Long-Distance Runners: A Cross-Cultural Love Story (2014)

User Reviews

Stunningly stylish and original!

Seijun's Suzuki's earlier cult classic 'Tokyo Drifter' knocked my socks off, but 'Branded To Kill' unbelievably manages to top it! This is one of the most stunning and original movies I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen hundreds. Suzuki is a true original. I can't think of a direct Western equivalent for him. Visually stylish and surreal, he lets his imagery do the talking. Imagine vintage David Lynch directing Beat Takeshi and you're halfway there. It's nearly impossible to put into words just what is so amazing about this movie. It literally has to be seen to be believed! With these two movies made over thirty five years ago Suzuki still shows himself to be light years ahead of the current crop of overrated and overhyped Hollywood "visionaries" Fincher, Soderbergh, Shyamalan, et al. Whatever you do you MUST see this movie! Be prepared to have your mind slowly blown into little pieces...