Golgo 13 (1973) Review

“Golgo 13” Japanese DVD Cover

Director: Junya Sato
Cast: Ken Takakura, Mohsen Sohrabi, Jaleh Sam, Yadolla Shirandami, Jalal Pishvaian, Arezu, Siamak Atlassi, Arash Taj, Dariush Asadzade, Ezatallah Ramezanifar
Running Time: 104 min.

By Martin Sandison

A couple of nights after the screening of Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, a real rarity was presented at the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival: The 1973 version of Golgo 13, starring the legendary Ken Takakura (The Yakuza). Never properly released on DVD in the West as of yet (it was released in Japan some years ago), again the team at Edinburgh moved mountains to find a 35mm print. Discussing the film with programmer Niall Fulton afterwards, we agreed the screening must be a UK premier, so little was made of it outside Asia when the movie came out. I’m a little baffled by this because the film is strong in every aspect, and stands out in Takakura and director Junya Sato’s respective filmographies.

Golgo 13 began life as a Manga beginning in 1968 (making it the oldest Manga still in publication), written and illustrated by Takao Saito. Most of you will know the 1983 animated film, which features some of the best gunplay action in any Anime. In 1977 Sonny Chiba starred in a live action version Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon, shot in Hong Kong, which was released in the West on DVD in the noughties. I believe despite not having seen that film, the 1973 version is nowhere near as well known, and by all accounts is the superior film. A great slice of gritty, action-packed 70’s Japanese fare, with some top notch film making on show, the film deserves a remaster and release in the West.

Interestingly, the film was shot mostly in Iran, a decidedly off the wall idea even for the time and one that gives it a unique flavour. The plot concerns Golgo being hired to take out an Iranian criminal called Goa, who is in the business of abduction and kidnapping. He has a pet parrot, which features in the most gob-smacking and hilarious scene in the movie. The plot switches between Iran and Japan, with most of the action taking place in the former. Along the way Golgo crosses path with some colourful villains (one of which has a handgun hidden in his fake leg) and beautiful women, with some nods to James Bond of course. However the decidedly anti heroic and off the cuff violence of Golgo’s character is a departure from the King-and-country serving Bond.

Ken Takakura plays Golgo as if he was born to, with ice cold countenance and deadly skills. Made just a year before he would co star with Robert Mitchum in the magnificent The Yakuza, Golgo 13 sees Takakura as the top of his game. Director Sato is perhaps best known for Bullet Train (1975), starring Takakura and Sonni Chiba that served as the template for Speed (1994). He directs Golgo 13 with a sure hand. The action is bloody and advanced for the time, with the gunfights especially well choreographed, and are jumping with interesting compositions and angles. The climatic gunfight features long shots of bad guys attempting to find Golgo in a maze-like ruined city, with his gun coming in to shot to finish them off. These types of locations and the desert are used brilliantly, with some iconic and powerful images. There are two instances of hand-to-hand combat, both with some striking editing. The soundtrack is a classic slice of Toei-style orchestration, with at times a Spaghetti Western tinge.

Some negative aspects come in the form of the plot, which is a bit laboured and uninteresting at times, and the lack of good action in the first half of the film. Despite some of the Iranian actors doing well, especially Jaleh Sam as Golgo’s love interest, the fact that they are all dubbed in to Japanese (not an original quibble, but still) takes the viewer out of the film. Despite director Sato handling most aspects of the film excellently, there are some instances of standard, non-creative direction.

How this film is still a rarity is beyond me, as fans of the manga and anime will surely love it. Much like Sammo Hung’s masterful Bruce Lee homage Enter the Fat Dragon (1978), myself and many others would love to see this released in a pristine version. Seek it out.

Martin Sandison’s Rating: 8/10