Review of House of Bamboo (1955) by David S — 13 Jul 2007

Samuel Fuller provides tough, no-nonsense direction to his feature, and Ryan is terrific as the cruel and sadistic gang leader. However, the plot drags considerably throughout the picture, proceeding at a snail's pace at times, but every now and again the viewer's interest is sparked by a terrific set-piece (the assassination in the bath house is both shocking and brutal).

Beautiful cinematography helps us get through the slow spots as well, but the sever flaws in the screenplay prevent it from being as good as it could have been.