Retaliation (1968)

Hasebe reteamed with Jô Shishido just a year after Massacre Gun (1967) for another Yakuza tale. Jiro (Akira Kobayashi) is fresh out of prison and straight back into the world that put him inside in the first place. He gets wedged in the middle of a business deal between a greedy Yakuza clan and some poor landowners, with a young, fresh-faced Meiko Kaji lending support.
It’s a Samurai film at heart. The men fight with fists, knives and katanas; guns feature rarely. Hasebe places his camera at angles that mainstream directors wouldn't even take under consideration.
As is often the case with cult Japanese cinema it relies upon your willingness to engage with the character-driven plot before letting all hell break loose at the end. Does Hasebe manage to outdo Massacre Gun? Watch it and find out.

3 bloodied shirts out of 5

Massacre Gun (1967)

A bleak Yakuza tale from Hasebe, courtesy of Nikkatsu, that slow burns its way from hard choices toward what would be impossible, painful actions for most folks. But Kuroda (Jô Shishido) isn't most folks. When pushed beyond his own set limits he reacts, even when the person pushing is his own boss.
As it advances quietly towards an extremely memorable confrontation it’s impossible not to be impressed by Hasebe’s attention to detail, cinematic framing and restraint. We’re told only what we need to know about the principal players, with their actions revealing the rest.

3 honest rhythms out of 5

Branded to Kill (1967)

Some folks say that Seijun Suzuki was a rubbish filmmaker, but I'm not one of those people. BTK is a masterful slice of late 60s Yakuza chic as seen by the modernistic mind and surrealistic eye of the director. It’s an odd film packed to bursting point with personality. Suzuki’s framing is beautifully aligned and balanced, even when his crazy storytelling isn't.
It’s the tale of a hired killer, Hanada, who wants to be the number one assassin. If he doesn't screw up, all he needs to do is kill the current number one to claim the title. But who is it? Does he even exist?
Along the way he meets a beautiful female whose allure and thirst for death complicates matters exponentially. And then there's butterflies...

4 warm sniffs out of 5