Okinawa Yakuza War (1976)

After Okinawa is returned to Japanese rule a number of Yakuza gangs spring up and take control of the lucrative nightlife districts left behind by American occupation. The head of a small gang goes to prison for killing some rivals and expects to be rewarded by the group when he is released - but others have already filled the space.

Okinawa Yakuza War is one of those films where the plot is quite adequately summarised by the title - it also goes by the names The Great Okinawa Yakuza War and Terror Of Yakuza in case further explanation is needed. It's a film of two halves, the first being dominated by Sonny Chiba in a delightfully psychotic performance. He is a hothead who is determined that the larger mainland Yakuza groups must be kept out of Okinawa by all means.

In the second half the focus shifts more to his previously incarcerated subordinate, Hiroki Matsukata, as rivalries and ambitions devolve into the inevitable spiral of betrayal and violent recrimination.

It's fairly typical Yakuza movie territory, with a touch of colour and interest added by the Okinawa setting. Chiba's character is interesting as you don't quite know his true nature - is he the snarling, animalistic thug he appears to be or does he have deeper motives that he is keeping close to his chest? His performance is a compelling display of charismatic physicality.

The rest of the cast have less to work with - their archetypes are immediately familiar and you know how their story is likely to play out as soon as you see them. After all the underhand scheming has set up the board the battle will begin, and we'll see who is still standing when the credits roll.

The film is quite stylish and leans into the violence and brutality of the genre - though it can never top one particular scene near the beginning for its depiction of the cruelty and savagery of the criminal world. It's a shame it doesn't do more with its unpredictable elements, as past a certain point everything is determined genre conventions and you are basically just there for the show once the first shot is fired. It's a good show, but one you've likely seen before.