Nihon ânkokugai

An exciting action packed Yakuza crime film, among a series of mid 60s contemporary crime/underworld films from Toei . Director Masaharu Segawa known for his entertaining comedy and musical films was a versatile cinematic craftsman here he creates a solid, bloody and brutal stylish wide screen drama. Nihon ânkokugai is a fast paced complex underworld tale involving hard drug trafficking set behind the scenes among Osaka's glitzy strip-joints. Kageyama,(Kôji Tsuruta) had thought his criminal past was long behind him, he is now the owner of a high class restaurant. Turning his comfortable world upside down is a haunting tune requested to his beautiful resident piano player Yuriko Mishima from a patron one evening ...Kôji Tsuruta gives a tremendous cool headed performance and is supported with an exceptional cast of characters. A highlight throughout is the breezy background jazz/bluesy soundtrack, laced with a melancholic fatalistic tone it creates a marvelous evocative atmosphere. As the entertaining tale plays out loyalties are tested, friendships are strained and love is compromised. Rubbing out the past comes at a great personal cost to, Kageyama , redemption possibly, now the only way forward ?.... Highly Recommended Classic Yakuza drama...