Search - The Yakuza on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1975 DVD Release: 01/23/2007 Format: DVD - Color Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 52 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 6 Genres: Crime, Gangster Film See Also: The Yakuza

Between making They Way We Were and Three Days of the Condor, Sydney Pollack directed this little-seen thriller from a script by Paul Schrader and Robert Towne. The Yakuza stars Robert Mitchum as Harry Kilmer, a former soldier who returns to Japan to help rescue the daughter of his friend George Tanner (Brian Keith). Once he arrives in the country, Kilmer discovers that the daughter has been kidnapped by the Japanese mafia, called the Yakuza. In order to battle the ruthless organized crime outfit and save the girl, Kilmer finds himself left with few options and reluctantly enlists the help of his old nemesis, Tanaka (Ken Takakura). The film was later re-titled The Brotherhood of the Yakuza and was originally shown in a 123-minute cut. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Robert Mitchum - Harry Kilmer
Ken Takakura - Ken Tanaka
Brian Keith - George Tanner
Herb Edelman - Wheat
Richard Jordan - Dusty

Warner has assembled a solid edition of The Yakuza with this DVD. The anamorphic, widescreen transfer looks slightly worn in spots but offers rich colors and sharp detail overall. Unfortunately for some fans, this disc uses the shorter cut of the film than has been used in all video versions of this title. The mono audio is a fairly basic mix but it is presented in a crisp, distortion-free style and does its job well. The disc also offers a few noteworthy bonus features. The first a commentary track by director Sydney Pollack: he falls prey to gaps of silence at a few point but is an excellent speaker who offers plenty of details on all aspects of the production and also some background details on Japanese culture. Also included is a vintage production featurette on the film that runs twenty minutes and offers fans a lot of on-the-set footage. Fans might have wanted to see some of the ten minutes' worth of scenes that were cut from the theatrical version but the quality presentation and worthwhile extras help to make up for that disappointment. In short, this disc offers a solid way to catch up with an underrated gem of 1970's Hollywood filmmaking. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide