One of the great things about the invention of video and now
DVDs is that movie fans can be exposed to so much more than they ever thought
possible. Movies that we loved and adored while growing up can now become part
of our collections. On an international level we now have the opportunity to
watch movies from foreign countries that we might never have heard of or been
exposed to otherwise. In some cases that’s not always a good thing but when a
great movie comes your way it makes it a joy to watch.
That was the case when I sat down to watch MASSACRE GUN.
This Japanese film made in 1967 comes to us from Arrow Video in a pristine
blu-ray release that’s a joy to watch. The movie opens with a hitman for a
local crime lord who is ordered to kill the love of his life. He follows orders
but then decides he’s had enough and quits his criminal ways. But one does not
make a decision like that without suffering the consequences.
Not long after he begins having problems at the club he
owns. When his younger brother, an up and coming boxer, decides to follow suit,
the boss has his men break his hands ending his boxing career. Enough is enough
and the hitman along with his two other brothers decide to take on the boss
head on, hitting several of his businesses and telling them they now answer to
them. Unwilling to go down without a fight the battle is on between these two
factions.
Along with this battle is the fact that the boss’ right hand
man is the hitman’s long time best friend. Eventually the two will have to face
off at some point. Just who will win, who will be loyal to which organization
and what will be the end isn’t revealed until the last moments of the film.
Shot in glorious black and white the movie makes the best
use of light and shadow seen in some time. While the film is in Japanese with
subtitles the acting doesn’t lose a thing in the process. Anyone who doesn’t
take the time to give this one a watch if you have it available is losing out
on a solid movie from Japan that deserves to be seen.
Arrow Video again delivers a great edition of the film as
well as several interesting extras. Included in those are an interview with
star Jo Shishido, an interview with critic/historian Tony Rayns, the theatrical
trailer, a gallery of images and a booklet on the film. Give this one a watch,
you won’t be disappointed.
No comments:
Post a Comment