Review of The Yakuza (1974) by Sam B — 02 Sep 2011
The late Sydney Pollack made some interesting films in his career none more so than this Violent culture clash movie starring the always Great Robert Mitchum.
Long Before Ridely Scotts Black Rain Pollack shows how the Japanese customs ,even its crime are rife with honour and tradition.
Mitchum is on great form here as the world weary war vetran who is a massive fist in a world where even the villans tread lightly.
Scrader ,who would retun to Japan 10 years later with Mishima and Robert Towne ,who of course wrote Chinatown deliver a pacy script with plenty of twists and turns to keep you gripped to the end.
Pollack handles the climax of the film deftly as Mitchum and Ken Takakura face off in contrasting styles.
One of Pollacks more interesting films this ranks along some of the best films of the 1970s a real lost gem.
This review of The Yakuza (1974) was written by Sam B on 02 Sep 2011.
The Yakuza has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
