American Yakuza (1993)

An American FBI agent is lured away by the Japanese Mafia--the Yakuza--in this action film.

Director:

Frank A. Cappello (as Frank Cappello)

Writers:

Takashige Ichise (story) (as Taka Ichise), Max Strom (screenplay)

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Ryo Ishibashi, Michael Nouri

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Nick Davis / David Brandt
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Shuji Sawamoto
Michael Nouri	...	Dino Campanela
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Sam
Yuji Okumoto	...	Kazuo
Anzu Lawson	...	Yuko (as Cristina Lawson)
Robert Forster	...	Littman
John Fujioka	...	Isshin Tendo
Nicky Katt	...	Vic
Jimmy Taenaka	...	Taka (as James Katsuyuki Taenaka)
Saiko Isshiki	...	Aya
Fritz Mashimo	...	Okazaki
Jeff Bankert	...	Medical Student
Rosine 'Ace' Hatem	...	Agent #1
John Hammil	...	Agent #2

Storyline

When Nick Davis leaves prison after one year in solitaire, he is hired to operate forklift in a warehouse in the harbor owned by the Japanese Yakuza patriarch Isshin Tendo. The place is assaulted by the Italian Mafia leaded by Dino Campanela and Nick rescues and saves the life of Shuji Sawamoto, who is the representative of Yakuza interests in America. Shuji hires Nick to work for Yakuza and becomes his godfather in the family after his oath to join Yakuza. However, Nick is a lonely FBI undercover agent assigned to penetrate in the criminal organization. When the FBI discovers that Campanela is organizing a massive attack to destroy the Yakuza, Nick's boss Littman calls off the operation to leave the dirty work to the Italian Mafia. But the connection of Nick with Shuji and his goddaughter Yuko forces him to help his Japanese family.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | showdown | hero | fbi federal bureau of investigation | yakuza | 

---

Taglines:

The mob has a new enemy.

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Viggo Mortensen, on being asked why he took the role: "I was quite broke and needed a job."

---

Goofs

In the opening scene of the warehouse shooting Viggo's character is operating a forklift with no fuel cylinder.

---

Alternate Versions

The 18-rated German video version was cut for violence in many scenes. The TV-Version and the DVD-Release are also cut

---

Connections

Followed by Back to Back (1996)

---

Soundtracks

A Gal & a Six-foot Rope
Written by Shane Thornton and Robb De Crabaugh
Performed by X-Piracy
Published © 1989 by Deadtime Music

User Reviews

Predictable but reasonably entertaining

Half way through watching this film I had the sudden suspicion that I had seen this film before but, after checking, discovered that I hadn't - and I think that signifies its biggest failing. Essentially it's by-the-numbers film-making, making use of every genre cliché which means it has a certain predictability about it.

Viggo Mortensen gives a decent performance, although for me his pretty boy looks means he's miscast in the role of an undercover cop who infiltrates the Yakuza, and the story is reasonably entertaining and fast-moving. The characterisation is fairly predictable though: wise older Japanese gangster, hot-headed younger gangster, cold-blooded Italian gangster, etc. The film sometimes looks as if it's heading in some interesting directions (the Italian mobster's verbally abused sidekick for example) but these turn into dead ends. The cinematography is first-class though. Successful on its own low-budget terms, the film will entertain those who watch without high expectations.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1993 (Japan)

Also Known As:

American yakuza

Filming Locations:

Echo Park Lake, Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, NEO Motion Pictures, Overseas FilmGroup

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color