Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison I-iii

Abashiri Prison (Abashiri Bangaichi) (1965)

Sentenced to a three-year bit in Japan's most notorious lockup, yakuza Shinichi Tachibana (Ken Takakura) just wanted to keep his nose clean until his release. He wouldn't have that luxury, as he'd been shackled to loose cannon Gunda (Hiroshi Nanbara)...right as he brought off a breakout. Will they be able to survive the Hokkaido snows? Teruo Ishii's thrilling quickie launched Takakura's stardom and a long-lived franchise; Tetsuro Tamba, Toru Abe, Kunie Tanaka, Kanjûrô Arashi also star. 92 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. BW/Rtg: NR

Abashiri Prison Continued (Zoku Abashiri Bangaichi) (1965)

Having returned and completed his stint in Abashiri, Shinichi Tachibana (Ken Takakura) was released along with prison crony Otsuki (Joji Ai) and looking for a fresh start. However, their voyage back to the mainland found them in accidental possession of stolen diamonds--and they'd have to fend odd the real thieves as well as the cops. Fast-made follow-up co-stars Toru Abe, Kunie Tanaka, Kanjûrô Arashi, Hideo Murota. 87 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

Abashiri Prison: Longing For Home (Abashiri Bangaichi: Bôkyô Hen) (1965)

Ex-con/yakuza Shinichi Tachibana (Ken Takakura) made his way back to the village of his birth to pay his respects at his mother's grave. Unfortunately, the local mob hasn't forgiven or forgotten past transgressions--and it looses the ice cream-suited assassin Killer Joe (Naoki Sugiura) to square accounts. Third series entry co-stars Toru Abe, Kunie Tanaka, Kanjûrô Arashi, Hiroko Sakuramachi. 89 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. C/Rtg: NR

Widescreen; Soundtrack: Japanese; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailers. In Japanese with English subtitles.