I saw this movie several times when I was twenty something then several times when thirty something and just watched again as fifty something.. boy oh boy, it is still a friggin awesome movie. It just doesn't date. The script is thoughtful, respectful to culture and very mature.If you are looking for a ton of useless violence then move along, it is not about that. In fact, some of the fight scenes are pretty realistic from the point of view that the antagonists appear to be well aware of their mortality and show their hesitation in putting their lives on the line. There is no riddling nor intricate plot - it is straightforward and easy to follow yet portrays a brilliant story of respect, honour and tradition. Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura are simply brilliant. Sydney Pollack directs yet another masterpiece. If you have never seen this movie, it just has to be on the bucket list.

for a lover of old classic cinema, a must see. for a story about duty, past and duty. for inspired script and for the smart use of clichés. and, sure, for Robert Mitchell in a role who seems be perfect for him. because Japan of "Yakuza" has the gift to be a complex and realistic portrait . traditions, history, crime, the war against a powerful organization. and, sure, an admirable story of friendship. short, one of films for see it time by time.

Here is a terribly underrated "Yakuza" classic starring the great Robert Mitchum in one of his most iconic screen appearances. In the movie, Mitchum plays a WW - II veteran, Harry Kilmer, who reluctantly returns to Japan after a gap of over two decades in order to retrieve an old friend's daughter abducted by a Yakuza outfit.Mitchum plays Kilmer with his characteristic on screen charisma. Here is a tough, no nonsense, chivalrous man who wouldn't think twice before sticking his neck out for a friend. But, there is an element of tenderness and vulnerability to him which Mitchum brilliantly succeeds in evoking. To his credit, Mitchum makes Kilmer look more human than a caricature like this one has ever looked on the celluloid. He adds finesse even to the all-hell-breaks-loose action sequences. Ken Takakura plays the part of Ken Tanaka (described as a man who never smiles) with scalpel-like precision and complements Mitchum really well. In fact, the chemistry between the two great actors is the movie's real highlight. Sidney Pollack's direction is absolutely topnotch; Pollack succeeds in bringing an element of realism to a Yakuza tale. Overall, The Yakuza is a magnificent work of cinematic art that certainly deserves more attention than what it has received over the last four decades or so. The movie features one of Mitchum's all- time great performances. It's also one of the best films directed by the legendary Sydney Pollack. Watch it now, if you haven't already!

There are some serious problems with the movie from the screenplay to production. Let's start from the screenplay.It starts slow plain boring. There is a flat opening scene which a Yakuza member offers his service to the mob boss in Japan, follows with an exceptionally long opening credits and then again one flat scene leads to another. Nothing really happens till almost half of the movie and by that time I bet half of the audience decide not to waste more time. When the action begins again there is another surprising fact to the downside. It was not supposed to be a Kill Bill type of movie in which a good swordsman kills an army without getting a scratch and apparently that's what happening. I really didn't expect the movie to get as unrealistic as it got but what really bothered me was that the hero of the movie was aging Robert Mitchum (Kilmer), at 57 years old he was already in bad shape, seeing him I could easily dream of heart attack! How come this 57 years old, 75 looking heart attack dreamcatcher manages to shoot and kill everyone like John Wayne in his 30s? Also the Yakuza looks like an army of brainless zombies... Makes sense, they better be if the hero is that old fart otherwise the movie would look even worse than what it already was. Kilmer and Tanaka managed to kill the zombie Yakuza army easily, kilmer attacked with guns representing USA and Tanaka with samurai sword representing Japan and by the way, apparently Japan has no police. People are being killed by white Americans in public places and yet they walk free no one looking for them, isn't that awesome?Anf finally the post climax... Post climax should short and sweet, showing how the characters are doing after the end of action but apparently the post climax on this movie was a episode of it's own! almost 25 boring minutes!!!This movie could be descent if not awesome with a faster and shorter screenplay and of course better cast selection but for what it is, it belongs to the hall of fame of worse movies ever!