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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Title: The Yakuza (1974)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Robert Mitchum | ... | Harry Kilmer | |
| Ken Takakura | ... | Tanaka Ken | |
| Brian Keith | ... | George Tanner | |
| Herb Edelman | ... | Wheat | |
| Richard Jordan | ... | Dusty | |
| Keiko Kishi | ... | Eiko (as Kishi Keiko) | |
| Eiji Okada | ... | Tono (as Okada Eiji) | |
| James Shigeta | ... | Goro | |
| Kyôsuke Machida | ... | Kato | |
| Christina Kokubo | ... | Hanako | |
| Eiji Gô | ... | Spider (as Go Eiji) | |
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Lee Chirillo | ... | Louise |
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M. Hisaka | ... | Boyfriend |
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William Ross | ... | Tanner's Guard |
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Akiyama | ... | Tono's Guard |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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>
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The Secret Society of Japan See more »Parents Guide:
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Sydney Pollack didn't preview any of his films via test screenings and focus groups until 2005's The Interpreter. It was his final film. 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: American saw cuts on a push stroke, Japanese saw cuts on a pull stroke. When an American cracks up, he opens up the window and shoots up a bunch of strangers. When a Japanese cracks up, he closes the window and kills himself. Everything is in reverse.See more »
Alternate Versions
Recent US VHS releases are missing subtitles for Japanese dialogue in some scenes. Particularly when Ken makes an apology to his brother near the end, and the final, emotion scene between Harry and Ken. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Release Date:
19 March 1975 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Yakuza See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$5,000,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
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Sound Mix:
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The Yakuza introduced we occidentals to the term the Japanese use for their various crime families. Probably after the wide acceptance of both the Godfather films, the American public was ready to see what organized crime looked like in another culture.
La Cosa Nostra, the Mafia, all those phrases we use for Italian organized crime certainly had their rituals and traditions. But as we learn in watching this film they have nothing on the Yakuza.
Robert Mitchum plays a private detective who works both sides of the law back in the states and he's hired by crime boss Brian Keith to rescue his daughter who was kidnapped by one of the Yakuza crime families in lieu of a shipment of weapons Keith was supposed to deliver. Coming along with him is young Richard Jordan whose father was a friend of both Mitchum and Keith as backup.
The mission is accomplished, but Mitchum and Jordan find the situation is a whole lot more complex than they were led to believe. In addition Mitchum gets involved with an old girl friend from the days when he was a military policeman during the postwar American occupation. She's the key to getting help from a former Yakuza member in their quest.
The American actors perform well here and oriental players James Shigeta and Japanese film star Takakura Ken are well cast as feuding Yakuza brothers. You will not question why Takakura Ken is known as the Japanese Clint Eastwood after seeing The Yakuza.
Director Sydney Pollack shows a real reverence and respect for the traditions of another culture. The Yakuza is both entertaining and informative and should not be missed.