Perhaps the phrase lost in translation isn’t quite as
applicable here as I would have hoped. It’s not the literal translation of
words that made this collection of films unenjoyable for me but the loss of the
inspiration to translate into the world of Japan that I’m talking about here.
While these films were immensely popular in Japan at the time, I’m guessing
that had they played here in the drive-ins where the original biker films of
the same time period played people would have wondered what they were watching.
Inspired by the popularity of films like Roger Corman’s THE
WILD ANGELS, Japanese studios began to make their own version of biker films
around the same time. The difference is that the gangs represented here in
these films felt more like teen gangs being portrayed by adult actors. Let me
change that. These gangs felt more like pre-teens even. Their antics were lame
compared to the depravity and violence found in biker films made here in the
U.S. If you can accept the difference between the two then perhaps these movies
might be up your alley. For me I found them lacking in everything possible.
While I may not have enjoyed these films there are two
things I will say about them. The first is that yes, there probably are people
out there who will be so immersed in the culture that they fall in love with
these films. Those people will love that this set is now available. Secondly I
realize that there is a need for movies like this to be released in DVD or
blu-ray format. Historically speaking any and all films deserve to be placed in
safe keeping so they don’t disappear like a number of films that are already
lost to the world.
With that out of the way, here are the films with a short
synopsis of each so you know what is included in this set.
DELINQUENT GIRL BOSS – A group of girl bikers takes on the
Yakuza after they rig boxing matches that involve a friend of theirs. When the
leader of the bikers is taken out, revenge is sought by the rest of the girls.
WILD JUMBO – This time a gang of five friends known as the
Pelican Gang does little more than drive around in their dune buggies listening
to psychedelic music. Eventually they plan a heist of 30 million yen from a
religious movement.
SEX HUNTER – This time around a girl gang takes on a racist
male gang. Both seem to find time to do little more than fight and listen to
rock n roll. The racist gang takes particular disliking to what they term half
breeds and after hurting a friend of the girl gang a major battle is on the
way.
MACHINE ANIMAL – This time a girl gang called the Alleycats
are on friendly terms with another gang called Dragon, the main supplier of
drugs in their town. When the Alleycats attempt to help three guys including an
American soldier on the run, Dragon isn’t pleased with their efforts and an
eventual showdown is bound to happen.
BEAT ’71 – This time around the Alleycats have become
hippies and live in a commune. When the main girl’s boyfriend, the son of a
Yakuza boss, fails to meet his father’s expectations his father kidnaps him to
set him straight.
While these descriptions of the movies included might sound
simple the fact is that the movie themselves feel just as simple. More time is
spent driving around, dancing to music, laying around wasted or just fighting
at the drop of a hat to fill the time of each movie. And while they are termed
violent movies while watching I felt like there was more violence on TV at the
time than I found in any of these movies.
For the most part I found myself bored while watching. I
kept waiting for something to happen. I wanted to love these movies having
heard they were such a part of the culture at the time and yet I could never
quite get into any of them. But that’s me. As I’ve said all along I have little
doubt that there are some out there who will love these movies and cherish
them. I’m happy for you. But I’m not part of that crowd.
Arrow Video has done a great deal by releasing these five
films as a set for fans to enjoy. The set includes all five movies in the
series as well as interviews with star Tatsuya Fuji who was in all 5 films, an
interview with Yoshio Harada who was in BEAT ’71, trailers and an interview
with the director of three of the films, Yasuharu Hasebe. As I’ve discovered
with all Arrow Video releases they are made by fans for fans and should please
anyone seeking these films.
Click here to order.
No comments:
Post a Comment