Bloody Territories (1969) - Schällis Review

Production: Nikkatsu
Color / Length: Color, 88 minutes
Director: Yasuharu Hasebe
Actors: Akira Kobayashi, Tatsuya Fuji, Ryoji Hayama, Yuriko Hime

Whilst „Bloody Territories“ may not be one of the greatest Yakuza-Eigas of the sixties, it is a good example what Yakuza-Eiga was all about in the midstage of the Yakuza-Boom. Though in 1969 Toei had already begun to change their storylines from the more classic Ninkyo-Eiga into something more gritty and cynical (Modern Yakuza or Gokudo for example) it still would be another three or four years before the screen would be soaked by the blood of the nihilistic frenzy that the Yakuza-Eiga of the early and mid-Seventies would bring.

But back in 1969 Nikkatsu had only pushed up the sleaze level higher than it’s big rival Toei, otherwise their Yakuza-Eigas were rather formulaic. But thats a big part of the fun watching the sixties Yakuza-Eigas. Knowing that the deep sense of honor will ultimately lead to revenge and death. And in that context, mixed with the before mentioned high amount of sleaze, „Bloody Territories“ is a winner. The plot is the standard bad capitalist Yakuza (who wants everything) against the good old school Yakuza (who is willing to share) (capitalism vs. socialism...hmmm, I’ve never really noticed that subtext). Friendship, loyalty and honor are being tested by the new rules of the modern times.

„Bloody Territories“ may start out a little slow, but it kicks up the gears when the good Yakuzas get cornered and have to react. And with regular Yakuza-Eiga-Actors like Akira Kobayashi, Tatsuya Fuji and Yoshi Kato there’s always a high level of coolness involved, that makes you grab for the shades and a bottle of beer.

4 Kitanos