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IMDbPro

Yakuza - samuraitten kirous

Original title: The Yakuza
  • 19741974
  • RR
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,667
3,533
Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.
Play trailer3:00
1 Video
64 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.American private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,667
3,533
  • Director
    • Sydney Pollack
  • Writers
    • Paul Schrader(screenplay)
    • Robert Towne(screenplay)
    • Leonard Schrader(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Mitchum
    • Ken Takakura
    • Brian Keith
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sydney Pollack
  • Writers
    • Paul Schrader(screenplay)
    • Robert Towne(screenplay)
    • Leonard Schrader(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Mitchum
    • Ken Takakura
    • Brian Keith
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 68User reviews
    • 50Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:00
    Official Trailer

    Photos64

    Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Kyôsuke Machida in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Eiji Gô in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Eiji Gô in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Christina Kokubo in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Richard Jordan in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Keiko Kishi in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    James Shigeta in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Robert Mitchum and Keiko Kishi in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Ken Takakura in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)
    Lee Chirillo in Yakuza - samuraitten kirous (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Mitchum
    Robert Mitchum
    • Harry Kilmer
    Ken Takakura
    Ken Takakura
    • Tanaka Ken
    Brian Keith
    Brian Keith
    • George Tanner
    Herb Edelman
    Herb Edelman
    • Wheat
    Richard Jordan
    Richard Jordan
    • Dusty
    Keiko Kishi
    Keiko Kishi
    • Eiko
    • (as Kishi Keiko)
    Eiji Okada
    Eiji Okada
    • Tono
    • (as Okada Eiji)
    James Shigeta
    James Shigeta
    • Goro
    Kyôsuke Machida
    Kyôsuke Machida
    • Kato
    Christina Kokubo
    Christina Kokubo
    • Hanako
    Eiji Gô
    Eiji Gô
    • Spider
    • (as Go Eiji)
    Lee Chirillo
    • Louise
    M. Hisaka
    • Boyfriend
    William Ross
    • Tanner's Guard
    Akiyama
    • Tono's Guard
    Harada
    • Goro's Doorman
    • Director
      • Sydney Pollack
    • Writers
      • Paul Schrader(screenplay)
      • Robert Towne(screenplay)
      • Leonard Schrader(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Martin Scorsese wanted to direct after Sudenpesä (1973) but the producers wanted Sydney Pollack. Scorsese has gone on record that he would very much have liked to direct the film and was disappointed that he was passed over. However, he got to direct Alice ei asu enää täällä (1974) instead after being sought out by Ellen Burstyn. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore ended up making more than 20 times it's budget and won Burstyn an academy award while The Yakuza became a box office bomb.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    • Alternate versions
      For the Spanish Castilian version all the dialogues were dubbed to Spanish, even the Japanese lines.
    • Connections
      Featured in ...Promises to Keep (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      Only the Wind
      Japanese Lyrics Yû Aku (as Aku Yu)

      Composed by Dave Grusin

    User reviews68

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Most underrated 1970s movie?
    'The Yakuza' is a superb crime thriller that manages to entertain and provoke thought. The script by Paul Schrader and Robert Townes, displays the best of 70s film making. It features strong character development, and juggles action and themes of loyalty, betrayal and cultural differences, easily. Best of all, unlike most contemporary movies, it isn't DUMBED DOWN. It treats Japanese culture seriously, and it isn't your simplistic good guys/bad guys stuff we always get at the movies these days. 'The Yakuza' actually assumes you're a thinking adult, not a 15 year old who has to be spoon-fed.

    Robert Mitchum, what can you say? A movie legend, but also a damn fine actor! This is one of his best roles. Sadly, also one of his most overlooked.

    When I think of the best movies of the 1970s, of course I think of 'Mean Streets', 'Taxi Driver', 'The Godfather', et al, but I also never forget 'The Yakuza'. It's THAT good!
    helpful•11
    8
    • Infofreak
    • Jul 14, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 8, 1975 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • Japan
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • The Yakuza
    • Filming locations
      • Kyoto, Japan
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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