Review of The Last Gunfight

I am a big Japanese Yakuza films lover, although not being a great specialist. I only love this kind of features. But that's the first time I see a crime film from the Rising Sun country starring Toshiro Mifune and Koji Tsuruta. I would have imagined Takakura Ken, Bunta Sugawara, Noburu Ando or Tetsua Watari as well...This film would have pleased to Jean-Pierre Melville. I mean the scheme: a manhood friendship between a cop and a gangster, played here by Tsuruta Koji. But, of course, Melville would have made such a movie in a different way, without humor touch, I mean. I am also surprised that such an early sixties film was shot in color. I have always been fond of Tsuruta. Here,his character is very interesting. But this crime film is definitely not a pure Yakuza one, although you have gangsters. Actually, it looks like a western topic set in a modern Japanese crime feature atmosphere. The untouchable vet cop - or sheriff - and the good gangster - outlaw - seeking revenge for the murder of his wife. You'll also here a film noir influence, with night clubs and cabaret songs sequences. And a brutal shooting scene takes place in a western scenery bar. So, to summarize, a predictable movie, but not so much if you compare to many other Japanese films from this period.