When I was able to drive a car for the first time in 1975, I went to see this film in the theater, and did enjoy it. Sadly the film only played for a week and then disappeared from the theaters. I did see the film one more time in a theater, as part of a double bill, when we did not have videos or DVD's.
Originally I read at the time, that Robert Redford was supposed to have been the star of the film, but for some reason did not do it, though he would have not been suitable for the film as is because he would have been too young. (Unless he would have played the Richard Jordan character). I learned about the film because Time magazine gave it a positive review, and it was rated R, and here I was, a 18 year old.
Sadly, the film did not get much publicity, came and went. Mitchum, was not a particular big box office star at the time, though he did some good films during this time. I always remember a poster of the film, showing Takakura Ken, lighting a cigarette for the Mitchum during a night scene. On the poster the words 'a man pays his debts, a man never forgets'. I've been looking for that poster for years, and never able to find it. Someone claimed to me that the actual Yakuza was unhappy at the time with this American production, because they didn't want Americans to know about their organization. while more Americans are aware of this organization now, at the time of the production, Americans were not aware of it, and this is why it is hard to get anything like a poster from this movie.
The review. I saw it twice, the second time was not as good. However it is still an effective thriller. Mitchum is very good in it. My only complaint with him is that he looks too out of shape to be doing in this film what he is doing. During one of the scenes with him walking around in the dark about to make an attack on a Yakuza stronghold, you see his double chin. He was only 57 when he made this film, but physically, perhaps Kirk Douglas, whose built was commented on during his film "The Fury", or even Charles Bronson might have been better suited for the physical demands that the character has to do. Other scenes, with his relationship with the other characters is where he really shines and gives a good performance. His climactic moment with Takakura Ken, towards the end of the film (I won't give it away) is particularly memorable.
Originally I read at the time, that Robert Redford was supposed to have been the star of the film, but for some reason did not do it, though he would have not been suitable for the film as is because he would have been too young. (Unless he would have played the Richard Jordan character). I learned about the film because Time magazine gave it a positive review, and it was rated R, and here I was, a 18 year old.
Sadly, the film did not get much publicity, came and went. Mitchum, was not a particular big box office star at the time, though he did some good films during this time. I always remember a poster of the film, showing Takakura Ken, lighting a cigarette for the Mitchum during a night scene. On the poster the words 'a man pays his debts, a man never forgets'. I've been looking for that poster for years, and never able to find it. Someone claimed to me that the actual Yakuza was unhappy at the time with this American production, because they didn't want Americans to know about their organization. while more Americans are aware of this organization now, at the time of the production, Americans were not aware of it, and this is why it is hard to get anything like a poster from this movie.
The review. I saw it twice, the second time was not as good. However it is still an effective thriller. Mitchum is very good in it. My only complaint with him is that he looks too out of shape to be doing in this film what he is doing. During one of the scenes with him walking around in the dark about to make an attack on a Yakuza stronghold, you see his double chin. He was only 57 when he made this film, but physically, perhaps Kirk Douglas, whose built was commented on during his film "The Fury", or even Charles Bronson might have been better suited for the physical demands that the character has to do. Other scenes, with his relationship with the other characters is where he really shines and gives a good performance. His climactic moment with Takakura Ken, towards the end of the film (I won't give it away) is particularly memorable.