The Yakuza (1974)

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

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Writers:

Paul Schrader (screenplay), Robert Towne (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Ken Takakura, Brian Keith

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)
Lee Chirillo	...	Louise
M. Hisaka	...	Boyfriend
William Ross	...	Tanner's Guard
Akiyama	...	Tono's Guard

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...

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Plot Keywords:

japan | 1970s | tokyo japan | kyoto japan | photo album | 

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Taglines:

The Secret Society of Japan

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

21 December 1974 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Yakuza

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This script sold for $300,000 which was the highest amount ever paid for a script at the time.

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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.

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Quotes

Dusty: This Giri...
Tanaka Ken: Giri? Hai.
Dusty: It means obligation, right?
Tanaka Ken: Burden.
Dusty: Burden?
Tanaka Ken: It's called, 'the burden hardest to bear.'
Dusty: Yeah, well, suppose you don't bear it. I mean, no one's going to come down on you?
Tanaka Ken: No.
Dusty: Well, you guys believe in some kind of Heaven and Hell?
Tanaka Ken: No.
[...]

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Alternate Versions

First U.S. network television showing was on the late-night schedule of the CBS network, under the title, "Brotherhood of the Yakuza," and was edited to meet broadcast standards of the time. Even compared to subsequent syndicated TV prints, the editing was horrendous, so much so that one could not follow the story. For example, in the last scene, the uninitiated viewer would have no idea why Kilmer's hand is bandaged.

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Connections

Referenced in ...Promises to Keep (1974)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Admirable Noir from the 1970s

Fascinating moody thriller reminiscent of Blade Runner in a variety of aspects from the score, to sound design, and the fashion in which setting/architecture almost plays a character in the film. Infrequent but intense action scenes punctuate the film. Would make a fascinating double billing with Blade Runner. Mitchum and cast deliver solid performances. Though I doubt the film will reveal as many layers as BR does upon repeated viewings, it is still quite worth seeing and seems to have gone unnoticed or underrated. Still not available on DVD. Mitchum fans, noir junkies. and BR fans are bound to find this a rewarding experience. Highly recommended.