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American Yakuza

  • 19931993
  • RR
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Viggo Mortensen and Ryo Ishibashi in American Yakuza (1993)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Pictures
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
20 Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama

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

IMDb RATING
5.6/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Frank A. Cappello
  • Writers
    • Takashige Ichise(story)
    • Max Strom(screenplay)
    • John Allen Nelson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Viggo Mortensen
    • Ryo Ishibashi
    • Michael Nouri
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank A. Cappello
  • Writers
    • Takashige Ichise(story)
    • Max Strom(screenplay)
    • John Allen Nelson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Viggo Mortensen
    • Ryo Ishibashi
    • Michael Nouri
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    American Yakuza
    Trailer 1:49
    American Yakuza

    Photos20

    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)
    American Yakuza (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Viggo Mortensen
    Viggo Mortensen
    • Nick Davisas Nick Davis…
    Ryo Ishibashi
    Ryo Ishibashi
    • Shuji Sawamotoas Shuji Sawamoto
    Michael Nouri
    Michael Nouri
    • Dino Campanelaas Dino Campanela
    Franklyn Ajaye
    Franklyn Ajaye
    • Samas Sam
    Yuji Okumoto
    Yuji Okumoto
    • Kazuoas Kazuo
    Anzu Lawson
    Anzu Lawson
    • Yukoas Yuko
    • (as Cristina Lawson)
    Robert Forster
    Robert Forster
    • Littmanas Littman
    John Fujioka
    John Fujioka
    • Isshin Tendoas Isshin Tendo
    Nicky Katt
    Nicky Katt
    • Vicas Vic
    Jimmy Taenaka
    Jimmy Taenaka
    • Takaas Taka
    • (as James Katsuyuki Taenaka)
    Saiko Isshiki
    • Ayaas Aya
    Fritz Mashimo
    • Okazakias Okazaki
    Jeff Bankert
    • Medical Studentas Medical Student
    Rosine 'Ace' Hatem
    • Agent #1as Agent #1
    John Hammil
    • Agent #2as Agent #2
    Michael Westfall
    • Long Haired Manas Long Haired Man
    Nathan Jung
    Nathan Jung
    • Giant Yakuzaas Giant Yakuza
    Chris Hubbell
    • Personnel Manageras Personnel Manager
    • Director
      • Frank A. Cappello
    • Writers
      • Takashige Ichise(story)
      • Max Strom(screenplay)
      • John Allen Nelson(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • murder
    • showdown
    • hero
    • fbi federal bureau of investigation
    • yakuza
    • 48 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The mob has a new enemy.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Viggo Mortensen, on being asked why he took the role: "I was quite broke and needed a job."
    • Goofs
      (at around 1 min) When the Japanese bodyguard fires the last bullet out of the Thompson machine gun, the scene cuts to a shot of the spent bullet casings hitting the ground. As the shells hit the ground, you can clearly see the that ends of the cartridges, where the bullet exits the shell have been crimped, indicating that these are spent blanks. Real spent bullet casings are smooth.
    • 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
      Won't Be Long
      Written by Bro.KORN

      Published © 1990 by Burning Publishers Co., Ltd. & FUJIPACIFIC MUSIC INC.

    User reviews27

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Odd Feeling Gangster Movie That Can't Find Its Tone
    Viggo Mortensen's American and Ryo Ishibashi's Yakuza, Highlight this Low-Budget Gangster Movie that Never Really Amounts to More than a Slightly Above Average Go for this Type of Thing.

    It Seems to Try Some Stylish Turns Here and There but the Violence for Example is Tone Inconsistent and this Makes for an Odd Feel to the Film. The Shootouts are Kinetic and Bloody but when it's Up Close and Personal the Movie Switches its Gear and Cuts Away at the Last Minute.

    Wanting to have it Both Ways Makes for a Frustrating Tone as the Film can't Decide on What it is. A Personal Inside Story of Loyalty and "Friendship" or a Kick-Butt John Woo Ripoff.

    Overall, Worth a Watch for the Two Lead Performances and Some Scenes that Work Well with Good Cinematography. The Movie Looks Better than Most B-Movies with a Soft Color Scheme that Adds a Bit of a Laid Back Ambiance. However, the Italian Mob-FBI-Yakuza Angle is a Lackluster Affair and Not Handled Very Well.
    helpful•3
    2
    • LeonLouisRicci
    • Dec 22, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 22, 1993 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Američki jakuza
    • Filming locations
      • Echo Park Lake, Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • First Look International
      • NEO Motion Pictures
      • Overseas FilmGroup
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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