Japan Organized Crime Boss


With a flood of classic film premieres and upgrades on the market, even the most affluent collector is likely wondering which title is a must-own and which is a wait-for-later.  Specifically, a number of obscure Japanese yakuza films have finally seen the light of day outside their home country. And at first glance, 1969’s Japan Organized Crime Boss looks like just another in a long line of almost-serialized releases by yakuza specialists Toei studios.  But despite adhering closely to the gangster-film formula, director Kinji Fukasaku leans hard on a stoic performance by Koji Tsuruta to create another essential chapter in the yakuza playbook.

 

Sorry, there’s no skipping this one!

 

Fresh out of prison, Tsukamoto (Tsuruta) inherits a clan that has been nearly swallowed up by the ambitious Danno Organization, using its members in a proxy war to take over all of Yokohama.  Swearing a vow to his fallen boss, Tsukamoto pulls out of the agreement, making himself a target for nearly every gang in the city.  While his chivalrous attitude and calm demeanor make an impression on even his enemies, it might not be enough to stand tall in a war of low blows.

 

Fukasaku’s first modern gangster film, his penchant for dutch angles and handheld shots is tempered here by Tsuruta’s sobering take on the main character.  And the director wisely gives him a long leash, lingering on the conflicted emotions of a man who dreamed of putting his past behind him in a world where honor – even among thieves – is a rare commodity.  Women don’t fair quite as well, relegated to domestic saviors or weeping background players.  But the balanced dramatic approach winds up elevating Japan Organized Crime Boss to something special, perhaps even approaching the quintessence of modern yakuza cinema.   

 

With a new 4K restoration from Toei, the limited-edition release by Radiance is hard to pass up, featuring an archival interview with Fukasaku plus new featurettes, a video essay, liner notes and reversible cover art.

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