Cops vs. Thugs | |
---|---|
Directed by | Kinji Fukasaku |
Written by |
Kazuo Kasahara Goro Kusakabe (original concept) |
Starring |
Bunta Sugawara Hiroki Matsukata |
Music by | Toshiaki Tsushima |
Cinematography | Shigeru Akatsuka |
Distributed by | Toei |
Release date
|
April 26, 1975 |
Running time
|
100 minutes |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Cops vs. Thugs (県警対組織暴力 Kenkei tai Soshiki Bōryoku?, lit. "Police vs. Violence Groups") is a 1975 Japanese yakuza film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It won two Blue Ribbon Awards in 1976: Best Director (Fukasaku) and Best Actor (Sugawara).Complex named it number 6 on their list of The 25 Best Yakuza Movies.Kino International released the film on DVD in North America in 2006.
In Kurashima City, there are two yakuza families; the Kawade, who use political connections to further their activities, and the Ohara, who have an alliance with the local police. When Ohara acting boss Hirotani usurps a staged land deal away from Kawade, thanks to the help of his police friend Kuno, a war breaks out. At the same time, Kuno's superiors start cracking down on the yakuza and command the cops stop fraternizing with criminals.
Tetsuya Watari was originally set to play Hirotani, but had to step down due to illness. The role then went to Hiroki Matsukata.