The son of a prominent member of a fishing community returns home after a stint with the yakuza to find his father has died under orders of a local gang leader. He sets out to avenge his father, keeping his plans secret from his mother who is cold to him since his perceived abandonment of the family. This wonderful, if little-seen, Fulasaku gem deals with family, community and what it means to do right by both.
Director: Kinji Fukasaku.
Stars: Tatsuo Umemiya, Susumu Fujita, Nijiko Kiyokawa, Yôko Mihara, Shingo Tasashiro, Hayato Tani, Michitarô Mizushima, Tôru Yuri, Jiro Okazaki, Toru Abe. AKA 北海の暴れ竜 / North Sea Dragon
thanks Jon for this rare Japanese gem
Cheers Jon another good watch. a proper ol timey yakusa film thats not set in the big city. But the player it’s on is a bit rubbish. the quality itself is good but if pausesed for more than a few seconds it wont restart and needs to be refreshed.
Great early color Fukasaku film concluding in an eruption of primary colors at the end. Great Merging of yakuza, family issues, and modern samurai techniques. Only Kinji could have that unique conception – “A bodyguard’s dog is his best friend.” Keep those films coming!