I have seen other films of Teruo Ishii, including his torture films like "Orgies of Edo," which I liked immensely. This Yakuza genre film however, lacks the artistic merits of those other films. It also lacks a coherent or interesting story-line, offering only cheap and ugly gore effects. There are actually 3 stories told in one film, which is the same formula Ishii used for "Orgies of Edo." Unfortunately the stories were so insipid and uninteresting that I couldn't tell when the first one ended and the second began. This film really has nothing to offer, and it is the worst film of it's kind that I have seen. It is a waste of time.

Three stories for the price of one all concerning Yakuza and their laws. Just watch the opening credits that is full with torture and gore. Looked great from the start and it did for the first two stories taking place in old Japan. the last story takes place in the time being, the sixties.But was I surprised for such an old movie that it contained so much blood and gore and even a bit of nudity. As I said, the first two parts are the best with a lot of fights going on and torture. Of course there are a few editing effects used but still the removal of an ear and the eye poking are gruesome to watch. In the last part we don't have katana's but guns so the torture is a bit different but the helicopter scene is still horrible. Overall the acting was also good and for such an old flick the use of lighting was also well done. One of the earlier Japanese violence flicks and surely one to pick up. It also gives you an inside look into the Japanese way of living and traditions. Available on Shock DVD full uncut and uncensored.Gore 3,5/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

An awesome film for the most part. Reminiscent of 'Casino' and 'Zatoichi' in its nature. Necessarily Violent as it depicts Yakuza law of an old-school variety.This film is a great watch for those interested in old and new Yakuza films! This film is violent, i say this comparing it to newer Yakuza films & also the films in general circulation. This may look a bit out of date because it was the 70's but it's still pretty grim. Those bored by this should definitely be ashamed to write such off the ball reviews. I found the earlier eras covered to be more entertaining as i have not seen much of this before & i enjoy Gordon Liu and Zatoichi films too. I would say it is a must see Japanese Yakuza film along with 'Street Mobster' and 'The Yakuza Papers: Battles Without Honour Or Humanity'.Relentless in places, baring likeness to old martial arts films ('Zatoichi' for the swords)... Good for people who don't mind the 70's style of film and even if you don't but like newer Yakuza films - watch it - it's a bit of history in Yakuza ways & law.

Didn't like this one very much. It's an anthology film, with three chapters, progressing from what appeared to be the Tokugawa Shogunate, to Meiji era, to the 60's (can't be positive about any of the time periods).Basically the flimsy plots are just an excuse to have Yakuza commit brutal acts on each other and throw lots of fake blood around. I can see how this may have been shocking or trail-blazing at the time of release, but I found it quite boring now. Without the shock value, the movie really has no center. The stories get progressively better - the first (amazingly, starring Bunta Sugawara, who usually improves anything he's in) is terrible, the second and third are slightly better.Sidenote - the actor who plays the alien in Goke has a small role in the final piece as a weird yo-yo obsessed Yakuza.