The yakuza film has been a staple in Japan for decades. Most haven't found their way to the states to be viewed in part because they seem to different from one another and audiences here aren't quite sure what to make of them. But Arrow Video has been attempting to change that and has been offering some of the most famous on blu-ray over the past few years. It's provided an opportunity for people to view world cinema and discover these films for the first time.

To begin with if you are unfamiliar with the term yakuza they are what most would consider to be the organized crime units found in Japan. Movie featuring the organizations began appearing in the fifties but films made about their predecessors, bakuto, were made going back to the silent film years. The films gained popularity in the sixties and seventies before phasing out only to see a small resurgence in the nineties.

This movie focuses on the character of Okita, a restless young man whose life has been imperfect from the start. Abandoned by his father, his mother a drug addict and prostitute who is found dead of an overdose he lives on the streets of Kawasaki forming a gang of his own. The gang mostly makes their money extorting money and kidnapping young girls they then turn into prostitutes. Being on the low rung of the criminal ladder they must pay tribute to those higher up. But Okita headstrong and anti-authoritarian. He attacks a member of the upper yakuza and is then captured and sent to prison.

When he's released things have changed. The yakuza that were in place before him have moved up in the world with more sophisticated methods of making money. They've formed into two opposing units that each run their own section of town. The troubled youth have no connection to them and Okita along with fellow yakuza Kizaki who he spent time with in prison organize them into a mob just like he had before being sent away. This eventually leads him into confrontation with the two bosses and he must decide to either join them or fall.

Along the way he is attacked by a prostitute who threatens his life. It turns out she was one of the young innocent girls he'd turned to prostitution years ago. The pair begin a volatile relationship that seems fairly twisted with her going from trying to kill him to being totally pledged to him.

Bored with life like this Okita longs for the anarchy he once experienced before prison. Determined to upset the apple cart he sets out to disrupt the workings of those currently in power. When a big boss from outside the city joins in the fray it doesn't matter to Okita. His goal is anarchy and excitement at all costs. Just how far he's willing to go and how much those in power are willing to take are revealed before the film ends.

I've seen several of the yakuza films and this was perhaps the oddest among them. The character of Okita seems to have no plans for the future, no goals, no interest in anything but stirring the pot. He is one of the most hopeless characters I've ever witnessed on film. It's as if he has no use for life, no reason to exist with the exception of destruction, almost a Godzilla in human form.

The film also felt like one of the most violent I've seen so far. Not even so much the amount of bloodshed but the use of knives and the fact that any sexual encounters shown here seem to either begin or end with violence. There is little affection seen in this film and what there is always has the caveat of violence of some sort attached to it.

The film has developed a following though and is considered by some to be one of the premiere yakuza films ever made. For myself I found it a bit disturbing and pointless. At the same time I realize two things about this film. Young people, those who tend to feel much like the protagonist here, will find more to relate to here than I did. And as with all films that can be potentially lost for all time I'm glad to see this one rescued by the folks at Arrow Video.

Perhaps the film being made back in 1972 and most likely having little shot to promote it at the time, the extras for this film seem a bit limited. Included are an audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve featuring the original artwork or newly commissioned artwork by Chris Malbon and for the first pressing only and illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Jasper Sharp.

This movie is the life story of a punk named Isamu--with the bulk of it following his insane path following his release from prison. While the idea of a mobster being a sociopath is no surprise, Isamu is peculiar even among the yakuza. This is because he also has an insane need for excitement and is incredibly self-destructive and angry--so much so that you know he cannot continue his path for long. After all, taking on the yakuza (sort of like the Japanese mafia) nearly single-handedly is just plain nuts! Yet, this crazed punk assembles a very small gang and attempts to do just that!

"Street Mobster" is one of the most violent and nihilistic Japanese films I have ever seen. Its violence is vicious, uncaring and filled with pure rage. And, as a portrait of a thug, it IS effective and realistic. But, with graphic rapes, stabbing after stabbing after stabbing, it makes you wonder who the audience would be for this blood-fest. Plus, after raping one woman, the lady then has a twisted love-hate relationship with him that is just plain unsavory. Not a movie I enjoyed and one I am loathe to recommend because it's so nasty, but it IS unflinching and pulls no punches.

Unbelievable - this ultraviolent gangster flick is from 1972 - if it wasn't for the poor monophonic sound mix on the dvd, you almost wouldn't recognize the age! Fast cuts, ultracool gangster hero, bloody beat-ups and shootings - everything that Beat Takeshi Kitano is exploring and developing to a further stage in his brilliant movies 'Hana-Bi' or 'Brother' can be found in this masterpiece as a blueprint.

Fans of Asian action cinema won't be disappointed - the film is moving so fast, the inevitable climax almost let's you lose breath - this is a true gem! Get it, see it!