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Violent Streets Blu-ray Review

“Violent Streets” is a stylish Yakuza film.

Having put the Yakuza life behind him after being gifted The Madrid Club by the Togiku Yakuza clan, Egawa finds that the Togiku are wanting the club back. Matters become increasingly more complicated when an actress/singer (Minami) from a Togiku show allegedly becomes kidnapped and later killed by members of the rival Western Japan Alliance of Osaka group. Egawa now finds himself in the middle of this orchestrated gang war.

Directed by Hideo Gosha (best known for “Three Outlaw Samurai”) and written by Masahiro Kakefuda and Nobuaki Nakajima, 1974’s “Violent Streets” certainly lives up to its name. This is a blood soaked gangster film that wastes no time getting down to business. While it does take a little bit to figure out what exactly is happening plot wise, once the puzzle pieces come together the picture becomes clear. While Yakuza films have a tendency to become tedious (which “Violent Streets” does become in the last half-hour or so as the bodies begin to pile up), Gosha’s stylish and artful direction elevates the film as a whole. The unique mixture of Spanish Flamenco dancing, sexuality, criminals in monster masks creative action sequences (razor blade murders and a chicken coop shoutout) and the standard Yakuza fare liven up the proceedings. While maybe not a top tier Yakuza film, it still stands above many thanks to Gosha’s sublime cinematic work. The against the grain ending doesn’t hurt either. 

Noboru Ando (who himself was a Yakuza member) is quite convincing as the lead character of Egawa. He brings a depth to the character even when he doesn’t speak. Akira Kobayashi (who plays Togiku member Yazaki) also shines in his role. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.35:1 1080p. How does it look? The 2K restoration provides a solid transfer that maintains the grain while providing a sharper picture.

Audio Track: Japanese Mono. How does it sound? The track is adequate but not perfect as some of the dialogue and action suffer from some iffy audio quality.

Extras:
* Trailers for “Violent Streets,” “Samurai Wolf,” and “Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut.”
* “Tattooed Director: Hideo Gosha”- A nearly 20 minute interview with Tomoe Gosha who talks about her father’s life, views, tattoos, and film work.
* “A Street That Can’t Be Beat”- A visual essay by “Tokyoscope” author Patrick Macias.
* A booklet with photos, credits, and an essay by reviewer/author Mark Schilling.

May 24, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Hideo Gosha, Japanese Cinema, Violent Streets Blu-ray Review, Yakuza Movie