Overview: At the dawn of the 1970s, Japan is becoming an economic superpower and the Nakajima crime syndicate extends its grasp across the nation. Politicians and corporations seek the gang’s favor to form strategic and highly prosperous partnerships, but its leaders disagree about whether to leave the old ways behind for the sake of money and respectability.

Directed by Toei yakuza film specialist Sadao Nakajima (The Rapacious Jailbreaker), this sprawling epic is based on the true story of Japan’s largest crime syndicate and features a cast of genre legends, including Koji Tsuruta (Big Time Gambling Boss, Sympathy for the Underdog), Bunta Sugawara (Battles Without Honour and Humanity), Sonny Chiba (The Streetfighter, Hokuriku Proxy War), and Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Throne of Blood).

Blu-ray Verdict: First up is Japan’s Don (1977) where a yakuza leader must balance his violent tactics necessary for the rough streets of 1960s Tokyo with the domestic needs of his daughters.

This is a very straight and down-the-line yakuza eiga, hitting a number of expected beats and doing so with aplomb. Less unpredictable than a Kinji Fukasaku yakuza film would be, though certainly enjoyable on its own merits. Added fun after watching so many Battles without Honor and Humanity films because tons of My Guys show up here: Bunta, Sonny, Mikio Narita, Nobuo Kaneko, et al.

Also thematically effective, with a clean thesis laid out by Dr. Ichinomiya: competition turns men into demons and individuals are obliterated by organizations. In short, the film takes Fukasaku’s usual all-star cast and places them in a deliberate, sprawling, macro Yakuza tale, whereas Fukasaku films are usually more chaotic and micro. The protagonist’s story comes to an end in a much different way than typical as well.

Then we get Japanese Godfather: Ambition (1977) where an ambitious Kansai yakuza don moves in on Tokyo using financial and political tactics, sparking conflict with a local criminal association.

Nakajima’s second in the trilogy was one that I personally found less engaging than the first’s juggle of family drama and Yakuza tension. The subplots and scheming never coalesced here, compared to Japan’s Don’s street-to-leadership tapestry of consequences and violence. Bunta returns in a different role, and there’s no Chiba this time but another legend joins the cast in his stead. Unfortunately, both Mifune (as a rival Yakuza boss) and Bunta seemed very underutilized, but nonetheless, and being that this sprawling epic is based on the true story of Japan’s largest crime syndicate and features a cast of genre legends, I can still honestly say it is a masterpiece.

Wrapping things up is Japanese Godfather: Conclusion (1978) where the three-film saga comes to a conclusion as three leaders of the underworld battle it out to determine who will become Don of Japan.

Well, in truth, the pace here is most assuredly on the slow side but if you like old style yakuza movies you never get bored. There isn’t any action to speak of but Sugawara’s crippled gangster is memorable and the many talking scenes are never too long so the film’s keeps marching ahead until it reaches the rewarding conclusion.

BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
High-Definition digital transfers of each film on three discs, on Blu-ray for the first time ever
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Archival interview with Sadao Nakajima (2020)
Newly filmed appreciation by filmmaker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (2025)
New interview with scriptwriter Koji Takada (2025)
Trailers
Newly improved English subtitle translations
Reversible sleeves featuring artwork based on original promotional materials
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Akihiko Ito and Tom Mes
Limited Edition of 3000 copies, presented in a rigid box with full-height Scanavo cases and removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Official Purchase Link

www.radiancefilms.co.uk