Watch Graveyard of Honor

Graveyard of Honor is a gripping crime drama movie released in 1975 directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It is based on the true story of a notorious yakuza gangster, Rikio Ishikawa, adapted from a book by Goro Fujita. The movie is set in post-war Japan and portrays the life of a delinquent turned gangster who spirals into a world of violence and betrayal.

The protagonist of the story is Rikio Ishikawa, played by Tetsuya Watari, who is introduced as a rebellious high school student leading a carefree and unstructured life. He gets involved in a brawl with a rival gang and ends up in jail. In prison, he witnesses the power and authority of the yakuza and becomes fascinated with the idea of becoming a gangster. After his release, he joins the yakuza and climbs up the ranks quickly with his fearless attitude and brutal tactics.

Rikio's rise in the yakuza world is not without its challenges. He becomes embroiled in a power struggle between two yakuza factions and is forced to take sides. In doing so, he makes a lot of enemies and becomes a target for assassination. Amidst all the bloodshed and violence, Rikio finds solace in a woman, played by Yumi Takigawa, whom he falls in love with. The two of them start living together, but their happiness is short-lived as the yakuza world catches up with Rikio.

The movie is a dark and unflinching portrayal of the yakuza underworld. It explores the themes of loyalty, honor, and betrayal, which are integral to the yakuza code. It takes a deep dive into the psyche of a gangster and his motivations for joining the yakuza. It is not just a mere depiction of violence and brutality, but a nuanced and complex character study of a man caught up in a world that he can never escape.

The performances in the movie are exceptional, especially by Tetsuya Watari, who plays Rikio with a mix of raw intensity and vulnerability. He captures the essence of the character and makes him relatable to the audience despite his violent and cruel actions. Tatsuo Umemiya, who plays Rikio's friend who leads a rival gang, also delivers a memorable performance.

The direction by Kinji Fukasaku is gritty and realistic. He eschews any romanticization of the yakuza and instead shows them as ruthless and merciless criminals. The cinematography is also noteworthy, as it captures the dark and seedy underbelly of post-war Japan.

Graveyard of Honor is a must-watch for fans of Japanese cinema, especially those who appreciate crime dramas. It is a timeless classic that has influenced many filmmakers over the years, including Martin Scorsese, who has expressed his admiration for the movie. The movie was remade twice in 2002 and 2014, but the 1975 original remains the quintessential version. It is a truly unforgettable cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the movie ends.

Graveyard of Honor is a 1975 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.