Outlaw: Gangster VIP

Outlaw: Gangster VIP
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Toshio Masuda
Screenplay by
  • Kaneo Ikegami
  • Reiji Kubota
Story by Goro Fujita
Starring
Cinematography Kurataro Takamura
Music by Naozumi Yamamoto
Production
company
Distributed by Nikkatsu
Release date
  • January 13, 1968 (Japan)
Running time
 93 minutes
Country Japan
Language Japanese

Outlaw: Gangster VIP (「無頼」より　大幹部, Burai yori daikanbu) is a 1968 Japanese crime film directed by Toshio Masuda. The film stars Tetsuya Watari who plays Goro, a gangster who was sent to prison for three years for stabbing a hitman (Machida Kyosuke) who belonged to the rival gang called the Aokis. On his release from prison, Goro finds out his gang is in decline and learns that the hitman he stabbed is still alive.

Production

Outlaw: Gangster VIP is based on the writings of Goro Fujita, an ex-gangster who wrote the novel the film was based on. The film was the first in a six-part series of films based on Goro Fujita's character.

Release

The film was released in Japan on January 13, 1968. The film was released by Toho International in an English-subtitled version in the United States in May 1968.

Outlaw: Gangster VIP was shown at the Udine Far East Festival in 2005. The film had its Canadian premier at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 14, 2008.

Outlaw: Gangster VIP was released by Arrow Video on Blu-ray and DVD in 2016 as part of a box set of the entire series.

Reception

Jasper Sharp of Midnight Eye stated that "Toshio Masuda didn't make the flashiest of works at Nikkatsu, but he did make solid, reliable movies with great characters and well-crafted plots that always keep the viewer on their toes. Gangster VIP is a far more mature and serious film than most of Nikkatsu's akushun films from the 60s, benefiting from some great acting, especially from its lead Watari (Tokyo Drifter), and the poignant final scenes will stick in one's mind for a long time after the film is over."

Cast

Sequels

Outlaw:Gangster VIP 2　/ 大幹部 無頼

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Outlaw:Heartless / 無頼非情

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Isao Tamagawa : Gohara

Outlaw:Goro the Assassin / 無頼　人切り五郎

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  • (Released date November 2, 1968) Directed by Keiichi Ozawa
  • Tetsuya Watari : Fujikawa Goro
  • Chieko Matsubara : Isomura Yuki
  • Tatsuya Fuji : Hayashida Masahiko
  • Chitose Kobayashi : Hayashida Shinobu
  • Masahiko Tanimura : Yosaku
  • Asao Koike : Kaito Kensaku
  • Koji Nanbara : Makino Shouji

Outlaw:Black Dagger / 無頼 黒匕首

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Outlaw:Kill! / 無頼 殺せ (1969)

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See also