The services of a wandering gambler, Seiji, are called upon to protect the turf of his loyal friend Risaburo.
Acting
Saburo Kitajima's thousand-yard stare says everything.
Direction
Yamashita builds tension like a coiled snake.
Cinematography
Shadow-drenched backstreets, pure noir poetry.
Director
Kōsaku Yamashita
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kitajima was primarily a famous enka singer; this was his rare dramatic lead.
The 'ninkyo' yakuza genre peaked in 1966, offering romanticized criminals as noble outcasts versus post-war corruption.
JP
