An early Okamoto yakuza film, though it's not in the Underworld series (along with The Last Gunfight and The Big Boss) despite being alternatively known as "Death of the Boss." While Okamoto did not write this film and took on the project because he was assigned and "just doing [his] job" according to an interview with Chris Desjardins in Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, he did express a general excitement about working in action cinema (which shows through in this film's energy.)
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Reviews
Perfect cast and a good story
It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.
The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.
It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film