A man never forgets. A man pays his debts.

100 years ago they were called Samurai.

Separated by blood and centuries - United by a Woman - Now, hurled together against the Yakuza . . . brotherhood of the East.


The Yakuza is a 1974 neo-noir gangster film directed by Sydney Pollack, written by Leonard Schrader, Paul Schrader, and Robert Towne.
The Yakuza portrays the clash of traditional Japanese values during Japan's transition from the US occupation to economic success in the early 1970s. The story's themes include moral indebtedness and obligation, loyalty to family and friends, and sacrifice. The film contrasts Eastern and Western cultural values, and classical Japanese tradition with the modern, Westernized, trends of contemporary Japan. It also broke with the then Hollywood aversion to giving full roles to nonwhite actors by casting Ken Takakura as a pivotal character. Following a lacklustre initial release, the film gained a cult following.



Release Date: March 19, 1975 @ the Criterion and Beekman, Manhattan

Distrib: Warner Brothers