Watch Yakuza

Yakuza is a 1974 action thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Mitchum, Ken Takakura, and Brian Keith. The movie tells the story of an ex-soldier named Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum) who travels to Japan to rescue his friend George Tanner's (Brian Keith) daughter, who has been kidnapped by members of the yakuza. Kilmer, who has some experience with the yakuza from his time serving in Japan during World War II, seeks the help of Ken Tanaka (Ken Takakura), a former member of the yakuza and a friend from his time in Japan.

The movie is set in the 1970s, and the yakuza are portrayed as a powerful and ruthless criminal organization that values loyalty and honor above all else. The yakuza are deeply involved in Japan's underworld and have their hands in everything from gambling and prostitution to drug trafficking and arms smuggling. The kidnapping of George Tanner's daughter is just one example of their brutality and reach.

The movie is notable for its depiction of Japanese and American cultures coming into conflict. Kilmer is an outsider in Japan, and much of the movie focuses on his attempts to navigate the cultural differences and gain the yakuza's trust. Tanaka serves as a bridge between these two worlds, using his knowledge of both cultures to help Kilmer and ultimately confront the yakuza. The tension between East and West is a recurring theme throughout the movie.

Another key aspect of the movie is the relationship between Kilmer and Tanaka. The two men have a history that dates back to World War II, and their reunion is fraught with tension and mistrust. Kilmer is initially suspicious of Tanaka's motives and hesitant to team up with him, while Tanaka is reluctant to get involved due to his own checkered past with the yakuza. The two men gradually develop a bond based on mutual respect and a shared desire to do the right thing.

The movie contains several memorable action set pieces, including a tense standoff between Kilmer and a group of yakuza in an underground club and a thrilling car chase through the streets of Tokyo. However, the movie is also notable for its quieter, more reflective moments. Kilmer and Tanaka spend much of the movie reflecting on their past and the mistakes they've made, and their conversations serve as a reminder that the yakuza are not an abstract evil but rather a group of individuals with their own hopes, fears, and motivations.

Overall, Yakuza is a well-crafted action thriller that explores themes of loyalty, honor, and cultural conflict. The movie benefits from strong performances from its three leads, as well as Sydney Pollack's skillful direction. It's a gritty and sometimes violent movie, but it's also a thoughtful exploration of what happens when two cultures collide. Fans of crime dramas and action movies alike will find much to enjoy in Yakuza.

Yakuza is a action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.