This “Limited Edition” Blu-ray is currently available from Radiance Films.
While Hollywood pictures are in evidence everywhere, we all know that there’s a lot of great movies from around the world. Radiance Films specializes in rediscovering and releasing well-regarded titles that (due to a variety of reasons) aren’t as well known in this part of the world. This week, they are putting out a Blu-ray of yet another impressive Japanese feature called Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza or Kutsukake Tokijiro – Yukyo Ippiki.
Only 3000 copies are being made available, so those with a taste for early Yakuza cinema should definitely pick it up. It’s an effective movie that boasts fine picture quality (it was transferred from the best available source by Toei Co.). Like other seemingly lost or forgotten titles, the picture isn’t crystal-clear, demo-worthy transfer, but it definitely betters any previous release that will impress most viewers.
In this period picture, Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura) is a member of the Yakuza, but one who takes no pleasure in killing or violence. While traveling to a new town, he encounters a woman named Okinu (Junko Ikeuchi) and her young boy. They all get on well, before eventually heading on their separate ways. The lead stays with friend Asakichi (Kiyoshi Atsumi) at a gambling establishment that is warring with another gang. Due to specific codes of honor, Tokijiro is expected to fight for them. He is even forced into an assassination plot targeting their main enemy, Matsuda no Sanza (Chiyonosuke Azuma). Pal Asakichi is more than happy to fight, but the somber hero knows they are being manipulated. He fulfills his duty, but promises victim Sanzo that his family will be helped and cared for. Things get awkward when Tokijiro discovers that fellow travelers Okinu and the child were the man’s wife and son.
There is a mix of many different elements to the story, including dark comedy, melodrama and action. The film is also something of a slow burn and takes a while to really heat up. Yes, there is impressive swordplay early on, but it’s mixed between comic relief with pal Asakichi, the various criminal schemes occurring, and the introduction of Okinu. There are a number of goofy moments with Asakichi in the first act. But, seeing as the joker wants to prove himself and be promoted into being a full yakuza member, it all comes to a quick and painful end early.
As for the central plot, it takes nearly 40 minutes for the main drama to fully develop as Tokijio begins trying to take care of Okinu and the boy. The idea of a character feeling obligated to care for the family of his victim adds a layer of tension as the Tokijiro and Okinu try to find common ground. One isn’t sure if any sort of relationship is tenable and it’s interesting to see how the story progresses. The film becomes even more melodramatic when the widow develops a terrible illness, but the story still maintains interest. One benefit of the picture’s slower pace is that the characters appear more developed than in other Yakuza movies of the period.
Since Tokijiro is an expert swordsman, you’ll see a few violent battles with geysers of blood spraying out of anyone who comes under his blade. There are impressive action scenes, from early confrontations that show off his skill, to a grand showdown late in the feature. Over the course of events, Tokijiro makes it clear that he isn’t impressed with any of the violent parties around him, even wounding those housing him for their lack of honor and morality in battle. It ultimately leads to every warrior in the picture who is still alive turning on him. This makes for a wild and brutal final fight with the protagonist squaring off against everyone.
The movie is nicely photographed with wide lenses. There are some pretty backdrops as the lead interacts with the family and even the fights (particularly the finale) feature interesting angles and compositions. As mentioned, the disc image quality isn’t jaw-dropping, but it is a strong presentation that always looks good and doesn’t feature any visible issues. This is probably as sharp as this relatively obscure title has ever looked, or will ever look.
In the end, the movie stands apart as having a few unique features story wise and even though there are no radical twists, it keeps viewers guessing about what might occur between several characters. The leads are given a chance to act and there are a few memorable and thrilling sword fights. It’s a good movie that will impress fans of Japanese cinema.
This Blu-ray contains two major featurettes that are enlightening and informative. The first is from a Japanese film historian detailing the life of the director, Tai Kato. Kato was the second unit director/assistant director on Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon. The expert gives viewers a career overview, noting some of his other impressive films (Beast in the Shadows) and also goes into detail about this project. Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza is the first film adaptation of a novel by Shin Hasegawa. In the years since, it has been retold many, many times, but this effort stands apart as one of the best.According to this genre authority, other versions altered events so that the hero wasn’t the figure who killed the gangster, but Kato thought it was essential to the drama and fought for it with the studio. The speaker notes how this decision was very wise and is part of what makes the picture memorable.
Another plus is a visual essay in which a historian goes over the fascinating career of starKinnosuke Nakamura. Nakamura was part of a professional Kabuki theater family. Because he was one of the youngest members, he was often given small roles while his father and siblings took the leads. Obviously, Nakamura did have performing skills and saw acting in film as a way to develop his talent and open up his professional options. He was immediately successful and quickly became a leading man.This effort was a strong early role that really helped develop the performer’s skills. Amusingly, his dad eventually applauded his success and invited him to perform on his Kabuki productions with larger parts. Nakamura would jump back and forth between stage and screen as a result, but did focus on his film work. The historian describes several titles he appears in that are worth checking out.
A trailer for the movie is also included, as is a booklet with writing on the film and a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork for the film.
Anyone who enjoys Japanese period films or crime/yakuza movies will certainly enjoy the “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza. It’s a well-shot and interesting genre effort. As always, Radiance Films does a fine job with the transfer, giving the picture a new lease on life.