Hokuriku Proxy War (Japan, 1977) [35mm] - 4/5
This would be one of Fukasaku's best movies if it wasn't for the inconsistent tone. The problem is Ko Nishimura and Hana Hajime overdoing their cowardly boss roles to a comedic effect, an example of Fukasaku's trademark authority hate materializing as comic goofiness instead of nihilism. It's a shame as the film is otherwise terrific with chaotic violence as shocking as ever, another mother fucker score by Toshiaki Tsushima, and most importantly the snowy Hokuriku locations as a truly freezing backdrop for the action. Hiroki Matsukata is great as a psychotic, opportunistic yakuza (based on real life Kawauchi-gumi leader Hiroshi Kawauchi) and Sonny Chiba appears briefly as an Osaka yakuza boss (based on gangster Jiro Yanagawa). Chiba has two or three scenes, though his mullet is the most memorable part of his appearance. Tsunehiko Watase was also cast, but replaced by Goro Ibuki after he suffered a car accident on the snowy roads during filming. The film was Fukasaku's swansong for the jitsuroku genre (Sadao Nakajima put of a few more in '78 and '79). The same year also saw the final Toei entries in the karate and pinky violence genres. The end of an era.
* Original title: Hokuriku dairi senso (北陸代ç†æˆ¦äº‰)
* Director: Kinji Fukasaku
* Chiba's role: Minor supporting role
* Film availability: Toei DVD (Japan) (no subs)
Chiba
This would be one of Fukasaku's best movies if it wasn't for the inconsistent tone. The problem is Ko Nishimura and Hana Hajime overdoing their cowardly boss roles to a comedic effect, an example of Fukasaku's trademark authority hate materializing as comic goofiness instead of nihilism. It's a shame as the film is otherwise terrific with chaotic violence as shocking as ever, another mother fucker score by Toshiaki Tsushima, and most importantly the snowy Hokuriku locations as a truly freezing backdrop for the action. Hiroki Matsukata is great as a psychotic, opportunistic yakuza (based on real life Kawauchi-gumi leader Hiroshi Kawauchi) and Sonny Chiba appears briefly as an Osaka yakuza boss (based on gangster Jiro Yanagawa). Chiba has two or three scenes, though his mullet is the most memorable part of his appearance. Tsunehiko Watase was also cast, but replaced by Goro Ibuki after he suffered a car accident on the snowy roads during filming. The film was Fukasaku's swansong for the jitsuroku genre (Sadao Nakajima put of a few more in '78 and '79). The same year also saw the final Toei entries in the karate and pinky violence genres. The end of an era.
* Original title: Hokuriku dairi senso (北陸代ç†æˆ¦äº‰)
* Director: Kinji Fukasaku
* Chiba's role: Minor supporting role
* Film availability: Toei DVD (Japan) (no subs)
Chiba
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