The Yakuza (1974) Vintage Cinema Review - Old Man Orange Podcast 713 cover art

The Yakuza (1974) Vintage Cinema Review - Old Man Orange Podcast 713

The Yakuza (1974) Vintage Cinema Review - Old Man Orange Podcast 713

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Summary

Spencer and Dave are going back to 1974 (1975 for the USA release) to talk all about the film, The Yakuza. From writer Paul Schrader of Taxi Driver, Rolling Thunder, and Raging Bull to name a few and director Sydney Pollack of Jeremiah Johnson, Out of Africa, and Tootsie comes a master class take on the Japanese gangster drama, made to introduce the culture to American audiences. Sadly, like many of Asian oriented movies of back in the day, didn't make a lot at the American box office but still delivers an almost perfect noir action picture.


Starring Robert Mitchum, Ken Takakura, and Brian Keith. The story is about a group of old WW2 buddies coming back to Japan after their stent in the occupation time and looking for ones missing daughter who they suspect the Yakuza has taken. Robert Mitchum's character Kilmer knows Japan best and even had a romantic fling back in the day to a woman named Eiko, who he also saved from the war torn Tokyo. Her brother, Ken is in his debt to Kilmer, for protecting and helping his sister while he was missing in action post WW2. The lifelong obligation of giri, that can traditionally never be repaid is what he has to help out Kilmer and his friends take on the Yakuza.


The movie is just fantastic, great Japanese set pieces, an excellent jazz like score, and then the brutal action one would expect from a Paul Schrader story. Filled with twists and turns that really sets up this amazing story. Plus, all sorts of Japanese culture references and early education throughout. Cool stuff for anyone raised on manga, anime, and video games.


Join us as we break it all down in this spoiler-filled discussion! Then get sidetracked as usual with other movies, games, comics, and life stories. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into fascinating films.


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Old Man Orange is Spencer Scott Holmes, Ryan Dunigan, Dave Candito, Josh Bullock, Cameron Curbelo, Wes Younger, and other great friends! - "Young Adults, Old Man Attitude. Talking retro games, classic films and comic good times with a crisp of Orange taste."


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