Now available from Arrow is the Blu-ray (Region A/B) for American Yakuza, a 1993 action-thriller directed by Frank A. Cappello (No Way Back).
When Japanese filmmaking powerhouse Toei Pictures decided to expand their iconic V-Cinema line to North America, the first result was the explosively violent American Yakuza, featuring an early lead performance from Viggo Mortensen in the title role.
Ex-convict Nick Davis (Mortensen) gets a job in a factory that turns out to be owned by a powerful Japanese crime family. When Nick intervenes in a fiery confrontation and saves the life of family member Shuji (Ryo Ishibashi, Audition), he finds himself climbing the deadly ranks of the Yakuza in its bloody war against the Mafia. There’s one problem, however; Nick’s real name is David Brandt, and he’s an undercover FBI agent whose loyalties will soon be tested to their breaking point.
Featuring an outstanding supporting cast including Michael Nouri (The Hidden), Franklyn Ajaye (Deadwood), Nicky Katt (Grindhouse) and Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), director Frank Cappello weaves an exhilarating tale of deception and betrayal in this underseen trans-continental gangster thriller.
Features:
- 2K restoration from the original camera negative by Toei Pictures
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
- Original lossless stereo audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new audio commentary with director Frank Cappello and actor Anzu (Cristina) Lawson
- Yakuza Style, a newly filmed interview with director Frank Cappello
- Decoding Honor, an archive interview with actor Viggo Mortensen
- Newly filmed interview with actor Ryo Ishibashi
- Original trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by OC Agency
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Patrick Macias
This title is available at The Goodie Emporium, a U.S.-based online store that currently has many Import Shaw Brothers/Golden Harvest/martial arts DVD/Blu-ray movies in-stock – with New titles being added regularly!
Watch the Trailer below:
Sounds like a spiritual successor to Samurai Cop.
it’s pretty bad
This is one I’m kind of scratching my head at. In that I know nobody who saw this besides me, let alone anyone who liked this to make this a cult film, which it must be obviously because it’s getting a Blu Ray big release. I remember it being distinctive in how utterly indistinguishable it was from other films of its ilk. . It was a film that wasn’t nearly as good as Sonatine,The Yakuza, and the later Outrage or Takashi Mike films. Nor was this as fun as schlockers like Black Rain, Showdown in Little Tokyo,The Punisher,Red Sun Rising, The Street Fighter and The Challenge. Indeed, it’s ultimately a surprise because this film was so unmemorable. The only thing I remember is the part where Viggo M wrecks the cassette because the music sucks. Outside of that I can’t remember anything about it.
I’m not sure if this was meant to rip off Rising Sun, cause that movie sucked, and I thought bombed, so again the fanfare to release such is still a mystery.