Beautiful, interesting, incredible cinema.

See what’s playing
The Yakuza Papers 1: Battles Without Honour and Humanity
The Yakuza Papers 1: Battles Without Honour and Humanity
7.8
/10
420 Ratings

THE YAKUZA PAPERS 1: BATTLES WITHOUT HONOUR AND HUMANITY

Jinji nake tatakai

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Japan, 1973
Crime

Synopsis

Shozo Hirono is a former Japanese soldier who, following his nation’s defeat in World War II, finds himself in a prison cell in Hiroshima on a murder charge. While behind bars, Hirono gains a loyal friend in fellow criminal Wagasugi, and upon his release Hirono joins Wagasugi in an underworld gang.

Synopsis

Shozo Hirono is a former Japanese soldier who, following his nation’s defeat in World War II, finds himself in a prison cell in Hiroshima on a murder charge. While behind bars, Hirono gains a loyal friend in fellow criminal Wagasugi, and upon his release Hirono joins Wagasugi in an underworld gang.

Our take

The first in one of the great Japanese gangster series, The Yakuza Papers was directed by firebrand filmmaker Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale). Catching Japan at a moment of profound transition following WW2, this energy is embodied in the violent drama following an emerging gang member.