Two New York cops get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. However, in Japan he manages to escape, and as they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game—the Japanese way.
Cinematography
Osaka's neon-drenched streets shot like an alien planet.
Direction
Scott treating every alleyway like a cathedral of vice.
Practical Effects
Motorcycle chase through fish markets—pure practical madness.
Director
Ridley Scott
Michael Douglas
Nick Conklin
Andy Garcia
Charlie Vincent
Ken Takakura
Masahiro
Kate Capshaw
Joyce
Yūsaku Matsuda
Sato
Shigeru Kōyama
Ohashi
John Spencer
Oliver
Yuya Uchida
Nashida
Guts Ishimatsu
Katayama
Tomisaburō Wakayama
Sugai
Miyuki Ono
Miyuki
Luis Guzmán
Frankie
John Costelloe
The Kid
Stephen Root
Berg
Richard Riehle
Crown
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yūsaku Matsuda was dying of cancer during filming and deliberately worsened his health for Sato's gaunt look. He passed away weeks after premiere.
Scott hired actual Yakuza as extras; some allegedly didn't realize it was a movie until they saw the cameras.
US
