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Released by: Arrow Video
Released on: April 7th, 2015.
Director: Yasuharu Hasebe
Cast: Jo Shishido, Tatsuya Fuji, Jiro Okazaki
Year: 1967
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The Movie:
1967's Japanese MASSACRE GUN (directed by Yasuharu Hasebe) has often been referred to an Asian noir. Shot in crisp black and white, much of the film seems longer on style than substance, but it nevertheless manages to leave quite an impression.
Hitman Ryuichi (Jo Shishido) has been ordered kill his mistress. The reasons are nebulous but the yakuza code leaves little room for negotiation on these matters. When mob boss Akazawa (Takashi Kanda) makes this demand, Ryuichi honors it despite his reservations. But the killer is visibly angered by this demand - something that his hotheaded younger brother Saburo (Jiro Okazaki) takes notice of. When Saburo has the nerve to confront the mob boss Akazawa about this matter, he is beaten to a pulp for his insolence. This is a bridge too far for Ryuichi however. Now, along with his other sibling Eiji (Tatsuya Fuji), the three brothers break off from the Akazawa crime family and begin a mob war with a primary focus of taking over the competition's business rackets.
MASSACRE GUN's narrative is quite straightforward. The plot tends to borrow liberally from many similar films. Tropes like the hotheaded brother and reluctant assassin are deployed but the film succeeds through solid performances and an abundance of style. This film is a visual feast that alternates beautiful imagery with startling and sometimes abrupt violence. The lighting is unusually striking and the set design immaculate.
The really interesting part of MASSACRE GUN though is its resolutely Japanese soul. The notion of family honor and loyalty has long been a staple of the mafia themed film or even its many gangster cousins from all over the globe. But while we usually picture mafiosos as full of extravagant gestures and loud voices and OTT manners, the Japanese tradition is much more focused on intense control in public and a notion of honor far more intense (at least on the surface). It's hard to read what's going on in Ryuichi's mind - he seems almost embarrassed that he's having anger issues over being ordered to kill his lover. It is only when his brother acts out inappropriately that the hitman is forced to act. Because blood IS thicker than even one's professional code in this world. And while this is hardly unique to Asian culture (remember Michael Caine in GET CARTER who seeks vengeance for a brother he disliked), the way the whole film plays out seems at times an homage to feudal Japanese values.
Director Hasebe has a very efficient style and keeps things moving briskly. Pacing is almost mechanical with any languid interludes quickly followed up with violent action. The jazz soundtrack is particularly effective and the final shoutout (brilliantly staged on a deserted motorway) is pitch perfect. Where MASSACRE GUN breaks the rules a bit is in its conclusion. It actually achieves some poignancy in the final frames.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Arrow's 1080p AVC 2.39:1 transfer is a strong affair. Black levels - crucial in B&W presentations - are nicely deep. Overall image detail is well rendered and digital corrections are absent. There is some minor print damage in the form of lines and specs but it is quite minor. Considering the amount of hazy and smoky shots in this film I'm quite pleased with what Arrow have accomplished here.
The audio is a Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that has limited range but no audible flaws. The gunshots sound a bit weak but that's part of the limitations you deal with with this period of film. English subtitles are provided as well of course.
Two interviews top the list of extras. The first is with Jo Shishido and isn't really MASSACRE GUN focused but more of a career retrospective. He's a fascinating guy though and anyone interested in his career will love this. Sadly, we learn that he had a terrible house fire and lost huge chunks of his film memorabilia at the end of the chat. The second talk is with film historian Tony Rayns who discusses the Nikkatsu corporation as well as giving an overview of Japanese films of the 1960's. Frankly, this is a mini history lesson at almost 40 minutes and essential viewing. Rayns is engaging, informative and interesting without ever being dull or dry. Finally you get a nice promotional gallery of stills and a theatrical trailer in HD.
The Parting Shot:
As far as Japanese crime films and Asian films of the 1960's go, MASSACRE GUN is pretty close to the top tier. Beautifully shot, with a simple but engaging narrative and some genuine tension, I throughly enjoyed it. Arrow have delivered a very good technical presentation and generous extras. Highly recommended.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
I'll be picking up RETALIATION and will drag my feet a little less on Gangster VIP.