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The Yakuza (1974)

R | | Action, Crime, Drama | 21 December 1974 (Japan)
The Yakuza Poster
American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.

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(screenplay), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »

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After his last crime has him looking at a long prison sentence for repeat offenses, a low level Boston gangster decides to snitch on his friends to avoid jail time.

Director: Peter Yates
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan
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Director: Paul Schrader
Stars: Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Harry Kilmer
... Tanaka 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
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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 | mafia | business | See All (38) »

Taglines:

100 years ago they were called Samurai. See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

|

Language:

|

Release Date:

21 December 1974 (Japan)  »

Also Known As:

The Yakuza  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

Goofs

The plane that Kilmer is boarding at the end of the film is a Boeing 707, the one shown taking off in the last scene is a 727. See more »

Quotes

Eiko Tanaka: Did you speak to Ken?
Harry Kilmer: Yeah
Eiko Tanaka: Does he know we are here?
Harry Kilmer: Sure.
Eiko Tanaka: Is he unhappy?
Harry Kilmer: I'm on my way over to see him now.
Eiko Tanaka: But is he unhappy?
Harry Kilmer: Of course he's unhappy, he's been unhappy ever since he lost the war. I keep trying to tell him it's not his fault, he won't take my word for it.
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Connections

Remade as Into the Sun (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

Only the Wind
Japanese Lyrics Yû Aku (as Aku Yu)
Composed by Dave Grusin
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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?)
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