Eureka Video Blu-ray Synopsis: Constructed in the late nineteenth century to house political prisoners, Japan's infamous Abashiri Prison served as the inspiration for a popular and prolific run of yakuza movies released between 1965 and 1972. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the first three entries in this landmark series, directed by the “King of Cult” Teruo Ishii (Shogun's Joy of Torture) and starring a titan of Japanese genre cinema, Ken Takakura (The Bullet Train). In Abashiri Prison, Takakura stars as Shinichi Tachibana, a yakuza sent to Abashiri as punishment for an attack on a rival gangster. He intends to serve his time as a model prisoner until he is shackled to the bullish Gonzo Gonda (Koji Nanbara), unwittingly roped into an escape attempt orchestrated by Heizo Yoda (Toru Abe) and forced to face the frozen wilderness of Hokkaido. In Another Abashiri Prison Story, Tachibana has just been released when he stumbles across a stash of diamonds recently stolen in a bank heist – and attracts unwanted attention from criminals and cops alike. Finally, in Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness, Tachibana reunites with his former yakuza associates, who are trying to go straight. That is, at least, until old rivals come looking for trouble. Ken Takakura would reprise the role of Tachibana in another seven films under the Abashiri Prison banner – all of them helmed by Teruo Ishii – before the series was rebooted as New Abashiri Prison in 1968, leading to a further eight instalments with Takakura in the lead. It all began with these early entries, presented here for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei. (267 Mins)

 

Views: Originally known as Abashiri Prison and A Man From Abashiri Prison, the first Prison Walls movie was made in 1965 by Toei Studios. The film was based on Hajime Ito's novel from 1956, although the script would be worked to carry some inspirations of the Stanley Kramer classic, The Defiant Ones, starring Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier, from 1958. Written and directed by Teruo Ishii, the legendary Japanese film maker who was known for his popular Super Giant Series, the Gang Series, and films such as Shogun's Joy Of Torture, Orgies Of Edo, Horrors Of Malformed Men, Blind Woman's Curse, Sonny Chiba's Executioner movies, and many more. In fact, Abashiri Prison proved to be such a huge success upon its release, that Toei pushed out a further 17 sequels between 1965 and 1972 with the final eight films coming under the title of New Abashiri Prison. To many, the third instalment: Abashiri Prison Bokyo-hen is hailed as the best in the long running franchise, with Ishii writing and directing the first ten overall which have since proven to be the most successful and popular films of his career!

 

While each film tells its own story, and parts 2 and 3 focusing on the struggles of Yakuza life after release, the first tells the tale of model prisoner Shinichi Tachibana whose last six months in jail are hijacked after he is handcuffed to the fearsome Gonda, and forced to escape. The film was shot in the beautiful Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido, proving to be a difficult shoot throughout the cold winter season, with its harsh freezing landscape lending itself to some powerful imagery throughout and deep snowy drifts leaving a chill on the viewer from the comfort of their living-room. Delivered in glorious black & white, one incredible scene features an exhilarating chase scene with two push-carts on the rails, racing downhill through the corridors of snow. Apart from its great direction and stunning cinematography from Yoshikazu Yamazawa – the same eye behind films such as Yakuza Wolf 2, Bodyguard Kiba 2, Violent Streets, The Executioner, and The Bullet Train – the film stars the great Ken Takakura and lays claim to being the film that really made him famous. Although he had already been quite busy in the industry for almost a decade beforehand, Ken's career would explode after his breakthrough role in Abashiri Prison going onto appear in over 180 films by the time he left the Toei Studios in 1976 and carrying the lead in all 18 movies of the Abashiri Prison Series. Throughout his career, the singer and actor would appear in hit films such as Golgo 13, Manhunt, The Bullet Train, Never Give Up, 47 Ronin, and Hollywood films including The Yakuza in 1974, Black Rain in 1989, and Mr. Baseball in 1992. Ken's last role would be in 2012 before passing just two years later at the age of 83 and is still considered today as one of Japan's biggest ever movie stars.

 

In the first film, Takakura is joined by popular actors such as Koji Nanbara, seen in films such as The Call Of Flesh, Branded To Kill, Yakuza Wolf, Lady Snowblood 2, and others; Tetsuro Tanba, who appeared in films such as Three Outlaw Samurai, You Only Live Twice, The Twilight Samurai, and Gozu from Takashi Miike; Toru Abe from films such as Tokyo Ninja Force, Blind Woman's Curse, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and television shows such as The Water Margin and Shogun from 1980. They are joined by Kanjuro Arashi and Kunie Tanaka, with each sequel delivering a blend of new and returning faces throughout and everyone involved giving dedicated performances in every chapter. Part two, also known as Another Abashiri Prison Story, was released just months after the first and definitely feels like a rushed production compared to its predecessor. Making the move into colour, the film follows Tachibana after his release as he tries to readjust again to life on the streets, accompanied by his old cell mate. But trouble soon catches up with them when they comes across some stolen jewels from a violent bank robbery, and those involved attempt to get them back! While it may seem a a little rough around the edges at times, and miles away from the snowy settings of part one, the second chapter of the series still has its moments and entertains. The third film – a favourite to many – known as Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness, takes Tachibana home where he faces the repercussions of his past. Facing off against gangs of thugs and edgy gangsters, Tachibana's journey continues on another well delivered piece, with plenty of thought-provoking and engaging moments throughout. It's a very human tale on a very different level to the first, but it definitely proves to be a highly exciting chapter and a fantastic part of the ever changing yakuza genre of classic Japanese cinema.

 

While perhaps Toei may have stretched the series a little thin by its 18th film, there's no denying just how wonderfully made the first collection of chapters are - beautifully restored for this new Eureka Video Blu-ray release. Wonderfully written and backed by a number of beautiful songs, the film delivers a well balanced story of survival, hierarchy, and emotion, strengthened by great performances from all and is a prison drama well worth seeing!

​

Overall: Brilliantly directed and beautifully acted, the Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison movies are a slice of classic Japanese cinema well worth seeking out!

 

Eureka Video Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary by Tom Mes (Part 1), Audio Commentary by Chris Poggiali(Part 2), Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema (Part 3), Tony Rayns on Abashiri Prison, Video Appreciation with Jasper Sharp & Mark Schilling, Trailers​

​

Watch my unboxing video for the Eureka Video Blu-ray release HERE

​

Watch my video retrospective for this film HERE

​

Support the site by getting your copy HERE