The Yakuza Wives (1986)

aka Wives of the Yakuza

A tough Yakuza wife takes on the role of leader while her husband's behind bars, doing her level best to keep the group together, playing the circles of influence while finding time to remain a visible part of the wives hierarchy. It’s a dangerous situation in a typically male dominated world, where a shift in group politics and organisational power could mean bloodshed.
It’s an uneven film that’s almost soap opera at times, but is saved by the performances of the two leading women and the powerful, pragmatic Gosha moments. It was popular at home, perhaps because it was based on actual accounts by real wives. It spawned a shed-load of sequels.

3 ladies nights out of 5

Samurai Wolf (1966)

Kiba Ôkaminosuke is a fascinating character. A scruffy appearance belies a man of selective morals and beard pride. He’ll chance a free meal but won’t take advantage too much. He’s kind of like a younger, less cynical Yojimbo in a Sergio Leone style Spaghetti Western not set in the west.
A Blind woman in a remote relay post in which Kiba finds himself quickly gets the measure of him and through her so too do we.
Gosha’s direction is furious. He moves quickly from scene to scene, man to man, with an explosive style. He'll occasionally cut off the sound completely. During a fight you might not hear the swords connect, but you’ll hear the splatter of lifeblood as it paints the tatami.

4 cries for wolf out of 5

Cash Calls Hell (1966)

aka Gohiki no Shinshi

A bleak Japanese thriller from Hideo Gosha that’s helped along by a large dose of noir conventions. Prior to his release, a prisoner agrees to do a job on the outside for a large payment, but it won’t be easy, because unbeknownst to him some clichéd thugs are on the same trail.
Its flaws are clear to see, but Gosha’s depiction of the city and the people that populate it keep things interesting. There’s some dodgy acting, but some powerful relationships to balance it out.
The music is ill-fitting; it’s more suited to the 1960s Batman TV Series that coincidently began in January of the same year.

3½ circumstances out of 5

Three Outlaw Samurai (1964)

The title and the opening shots of this jidaigeki might bring Kurosawa to mind, but it’s more like a brutal Zatoichi film. Three desperate peasants kidnap a magistrate’s daughter simply to use as leverage in tax reform negotiations. A wandering ronin takes pity on their plight and lends his sword in aid, but the magistrate has ronin of his own…
TOS was Gosha’s début feature, but you’d never guess. It’s a masterful display of pacing, characterisation, social commentary and fierce fights that rely on skill, often with little or no edits. If you're a fan of chanbara but haven't seen it, do yourself a favour and seek it out.

4½ betrayals out of 5