AnimEigo has released a new Region 1 DVD of Hideo Gosha's Onimasa - A Japanese Godfather (Kiryûin Hanako no shôgai). The English title of Gosha's film, which was released in 1982 by Toei Studios, is an obvious attempt to invoke a certain set of works by Francis Ford Coppola. Onimasa has virtually nothing in common with those Mafia masterpieces. In truth, the film is a bloody epic drama that laces its story of an early 20th century Yakuza leader with a heavy dose of contemporary sleaze.
Tatsuya Nakadai plays Masagoro Kiryuin (aka Onimasa), who is the egotistical head of a small-time Yakuza gang. Onimasa's chivalrous self-image is contradicted by his criminal activities, and his desire to sleep with most any woman who isn't his wife (Shima Iwashita). One fateful day, Onimasa pays a visit to the Shirai home in order to adopt some children. He picks Hiraku and his sister Matsue...
Tatsuya Nakadai plays Masagoro Kiryuin (aka Onimasa), who is the egotistical head of a small-time Yakuza gang. Onimasa's chivalrous self-image is contradicted by his criminal activities, and his desire to sleep with most any woman who isn't his wife (Shima Iwashita). One fateful day, Onimasa pays a visit to the Shirai home in order to adopt some children. He picks Hiraku and his sister Matsue...
- 1/13/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Looks like Animeigo is going to be releasing Hideo Gosha's 1982 yakuza drama Onimasa on R1 DVD next year. No word yet on what special features might be available (and their website seems to be down as of this writing), but all you really need to know is that the film was directed by Gosha, stars Tatsuya Nakadai as a gangster who chooses justice over loyalty to his bosses (one of whom is played by Tetsuro Tamba) and it ends with a massive, bloody battle. The film also stars Shima Iwashita and Masako Natsume and was the official Japanese entry for the best foreign language film Academy Award that year.
- 10/28/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
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