Vengeance Is Mine (1979)

Chronological exploits of Iwao Enokizu, a murderous thief on the run.

Director:

Shôhei Imamura

Writers:

Masaru Baba (screenplay), Ryûzô Saki (novel)

Stars:

Ken Ogata, Rentarô Mikuni, Chôchô Miyako

21 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Ogata	...	Iwao Enokizu
Rentarô Mikuni	...	Shizuo Enokizu
Chôchô Miyako	...	Kayo Enokizu
Mitsuko Baishô	...	Kazuko Enokizu
Mayumi Ogawa	...	Haru Asano
Nijiko Kiyokawa	...	Hisano Asano
Taiji Tonoyama	...	Tanejirô Shibata
Gorô Tarumi	...	Daihachi Baba
Moeko Ezawa	...	Chiyoko Hata
Kazuko Shirakawa	...	Sachiko Yoshizato
Furankî Sakai	...	Inspector Kawai
Torahiko Hamada	...	Agent Yoshino
Yasuhisa Sonoda	...	Inspector assistant Kuwata
Akira Hamada	...	Detective Ichikawa
Kazunaga Tsuji	...	Detective Kuchiishi

Storyline

Iwao Enokizu is a middle-aged man who has an unexplainable urge to commit insane and violent murders. Eventually he is chased by the police all over Japan, but somehow he always manages to escape. He meets a woman who runs a brothel. They love each other but how long can they be together?

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Plot Keywords:

father son relationship | serial killer | man wears eyeglasses | woman undresses | male nudity | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #384.

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Quotes

Shizuo Enokizu: You can only kill those who never harmed you.

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Connections

Features Liberation (1971)

User Reviews

The most interesting movie concerning a serial killer I've ever seen. Difficult but utterly brilliant.

'Vengeance Is Mine' is one of the best movies I've watched in a long time. I know there is a growing cult surrounding Imamura ('The Pornographers'), but I'm still extremely surprised that this movie isn't better known and discussed more. For many movie fans Japanese cinema either equals Kurosawa and Ozu if you're highbrow, and Godzilla and Mothra if you aren't, but both these simplistic approaches marginalize all kinds of fascinating and exciting movies from Suzuki's 'Tokyo Drifter' and 'Branded To Kill' in the 1960s, 'Vengeance Is Mine' and Oshima's 'In The Realm Of The Senses' in the 1970s, on to such contemporary innovators as Shinya Tsukamoto ('Tetsuo'), Beat Takeshi ('Hana-bi'), Takashi Ishii ('Gonin'), and Takashi Miike ('Ichi The Killer'). 'Vengeance Is Mine' is easily the most interesting serial killer movie I've ever seen. The narrative structure can be a bit confusing at first, and that combined with Imamura's non-judgmental approach might throw some viewers for a while, but if you persevere you won't regret it. Ken Ogata gives an impressive performance and the movie as a whole is utterly brilliant. I watched it twice to try and fully appreciate it, and I would now rate it as one of the very best movies of the 1970s (my favourite movie decade). This beautiful and disturbing movie comes with my highest recommendation!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

17 October 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vengeance Is Mine

Filming Locations:

Beppu, Kyushu, Japan

Box Office

Gross USA:

$11,891

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,891

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imamura Productions, Shochiku

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1