(Japan 1977-78)

Original Title: Nihon No Don 日本の首領 (aka) Yakuza Senso: Nihon No Don

 

Directed by Sadao Nakajima Produced by Toei Studios Starring: Shin Saburi, Koji Tsuruta, Shinichi 'Sonny' Chiba, Hiroki Matsukata, Ko Nishimura, ToshiroMifune, Etsushi Takahashi, Bunta Sugawara, Etsuko Ichihara Reviewing: Radiance Films UK Blu-ray Release Genres: Yakuza / Crime / Drama

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Rating: 4 / 5

Radiance Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: At the dawn of the 1970s, Japan is becoming an economic superpower and the Nakajima crime syndicate extends its grasp across the nation. Politicians and corporations seek the gang’s favour to form strategic and highly prosperous partnerships, but its leaders disagree about whether to leave the old ways behind for the sake of money and respectability. Directed by Toei yakuza film specialist Sadao Nakajima (The Rapacious Jailbreaker), this sprawling epic is based on the true story of Japan’s largest crime syndicate and features a cast of genre legends, including Koji Tsuruta (Big Time Gambling Boss, Sympathy for the Underdog), Bunta Sugawara (Battles Without Honour and Humanity) and Sonny Chiba (The Streetfighter, Hokuriku Proxy War).

 

Views: Loosely based on the real-life crimes and exploits of Japan's biggest yakuza gangs and gang bosses from the 1960s, the first Japanese Godfather film is a gritty and bold story giving viewers a great insight to life in a newly modernised Tokyo under Yakuza rule. The film opens on a neatly displayed and low-lit suit of samurai armour, depicting the views and beliefs of the criminal organisation and the samurai-inspired codes that they follow – a trait that continues with all three movies. Of course, this is all about the top dog himself – the Don, the Godfather – and in this first chapter, we see how he must adapt to life in an ever-changing Tokyo by trying to make a legitimate business with his Nakajima group, while dealing with family life and the drama caused by his daughter! Brutal, slow burning and wonderfully directed, Japanese Godfather kicks things off with some memorable visuals a powerful (and mostly now-passed) cast with the great Shin Saburi leading the way as the titular gang boss, delivering a cold and powerful performance overall. He is joined by the prolific and much loved Koji Tsuruta, star of the awesome Blood of Revenge (1965) (also released on Blu-ray by Radiance Films), Falling Out (1967), Japan Organized Crime Boss (1969) (also released on Blu-ray by Radiance Films), and many of the Red Peony films. They are joined by stars such as Hiroki Matsukata, Ko Nishimura and Bunta Sugawara, but action-film fans will be pleased to know that the late-great Shinichi 'Sonny' Chiba himself delivers yet another exciting and memorable role. Here, as one of Saburi's right-hand-men known as Sakota, Chiba goes wild carrying many of the gritty action scenes while dressing in dark shades, trench coat and handlebar moustache. Of course, this makes for many exciting moments in this, otherwise, talky and slow burning crime-drama...

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In part two, Japanese Godfather 2: Ambition, we see how the Don tries to keep his grip on the city as a gutsy new leader tries to move in using violence, financial and political tactics that sees other countries drawn into their war. Once again, the film is adapted from a novel by journalist Kazuo Kasahara, and continues the same strong direction and intensity of it's previous chapter. While there is certainly a lot less action as such, Ambition still offers moments of violence that keep us watching. It can get very heavy on the melodramatics due to the tactics used by opposing forces, but in reality with politics coming into play, you can understand why. Thankfully though, it's delivered wonderfully yet again with strong performances from all involved and many of the original cast members returning. This time though, we get the benefit of the legendary Toshiro Mifune joining them, adding even more strength to the list of names involved and turning in a great performance as Kosuke Oishi. With part 3, Conclusion, we see three leaders of the Japanese underworld battle it out to take the place as the Godfather of Japan including turf and drug wars in Guam and the beautiful islands of Saipan. Once again, it's a bit of a slow burn at times, but definitely worth getting through if you've invested your time in the first two films and still has it's fair share of exciting violence and action. Thankfully, Mifune is presented in a more central role this time around which adds so much more to it yet again. Interestingly, while watching all three, you can definitely see where other films have drawn inspiration from a trilogy such as this – with Johnnie To's Election (2005) coming to mind instantly. All in all, watched back-to-back at almost 7 hours, the Japanese Godfather movies make for an epic piece of classic cinema for sure.

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Prior to this collection, the only film of Sadao's that I had seen was the superb and highly entertaining 1974 flick The Rapacious Jailbreaker (1974) (also released on Blu-ray by Radiance Films) starring the great Hiroki Matsukata – one of the main actors seen here in the first two movies. And although he already had over ten years of film experience and projects behind him, some of which had touched on criminal gangs in Japan, including The Great Okinawa Yakuza War (1976) which he directed just previous to this, it's clear that Sadao went all out with the Japanese Godfather Trilogy presenting an epic tale on real-life crime after being inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's much loved Hollywood trilogy. I also felt that these movies were on par with with many of Kinji Fukasaku's much-loved films from the same genre and will, without a doubt, be looking out for more of Sadao Nakajima's work in the near future. Aside from three wonderful restorations by Radiance Films, beautifully packaged in a rigid box with a limited edition booklet, this wonderful new Blu-ray release comes with some neat extras. On the first disc, we get an interesting 33 minute interview with late director Sadao Nakajima who, at his own pace, talks about his life and movies as well as actor Koji Tsuruta and how working together on Japanese Godfather eased the rift between them. While slow paced due to his age and fight to remember such a long time ago, it still makes for an interesting watch. Aside from that, we also get over 5 minutes of trailers that really do sell the film well. With part two, we get a 16 minute interview with Kichiku director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri who spent time learning under Sadao Nakajima. Again, it's an interesting enough piece that sees him look back at his experience with the film-maker and shares his thoughts on the Japanese Godfather Trilogy, naturally. As with the previous disc, the only other special feature is a collection of cool trailers - this time coming in at over 6 minutes in length. And finally, on the third, we get almost 30 minutes of an interview between biographer Taichi Kasuga and scriptwriter Koji Takada – who talks about how the films came about, adapting the real-life source material, and working with Sadao. It's an insightful and casual piece that really breaks down the films and what went on behind the scenes. And as with before, 6 minutes of original trailers help close out the set. While I'd like to have had some informative audio commentaries for each film, the Japanese Godfather Trilogy collection from Radiance Films doesn't disappoint and makes for a gripping, albeit lengthy, watch!

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Overall: A well crafted and epic story of yakuza crime, the Japanese Godfather Trilogy makes for a great watch and is a must for fans of classic Japanese cinema!

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Radiance Films Blu-ray Extras: Archival Interview with Sadao Nakajima, Appreciation by Film-maker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, Interview with Scriptwriter Koji Takada, Trailers

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