The Wolves - AnimEigo

After years of exposure to Kinji Fukasaku and Takashi Miike yakuza films featuring characters with greedy and violent tendencies bordering on the absurd, the long-anticipated AnimEigo DVD release of Hideo Gosha’s 1971 film, The Wolves (Shussho Iwai) may be an important first step in indoctrinating the west to the more traditional tone of the genre. In the film Tatsuya Nakadai plays Seiji Iwahashi, a member of the Enokiya gang who was recently released early from a 10-year prison sentence for killing the boss of rival Tanno gang. However, when he returns he discovers that his own boss is dead and Tanno is in the process of absorbing Enokiya—making his former actions and subsequent prison time more of a detriment to his status than the badge of honor it would have been had things stayed the same. With Iwahashi’s former world now almost completely shattered, only his honor is left intact. For a full review check out Midnight Eye. Release is region 1, NTSC, widescreen with Japanese audio track and English subtitles. Features TBA.

Available at the following retailer(s) on September 2, 2008:

• Amazon.com