The Yakuza (1974) Warner 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Between making The Way We Were and Three Days of The Condor, Sydney Pollack directed this little-seen thriller from a script by Paul Schrader and Robert Towne. The Yakuza stars Robert Mitchum as Harry Kilmer, a former soldier who returns to Japan to help rescue the daughter of his friend George Tanner (Brian Keith). Once he arrives in the country, Kilmer discovers that the daughter has been kidnapped by the Japanese mafia, called the Yakuza. In order to battle the ruthless organized crime outfit and save the girl, Kilmer finds himself left with few options and reluctantly enlists the help of his old nemesis, Tanaka (Ken Takakura). The film was later re-titled The Brotherhood of the Yakuza and was originally shown in a 123-minute cut.

Extras

• Commentary with Director Sydney Pollack - This commentary was recorded for DVD after Pollack finished The Interpreter (2005), which turned out to be his last film. Although he hadn't watched The Yakuza in years, Pollack displays impressively detailed recall of shooting the film, especially his work with Mitchum and Takakura, with DP Okazaki and with production designer Stephen B. Grimes. Pollack's enthusiasm for the cultural themes explored in the film is evident throughout. The commentary has occasional periods of silence but is otherwise a consistently engaging experience.

• Promises to Keep - This archival featurette bears little resemblance to today's promotional EPKs. Extensive footage is included from multiple shooting locations, as well as clips of Pollack being interviewed.

• Theatrical Trailer - The struggle by Warner's PR department to find a marketing angle is readily apparent in this selection of excerpts with minimal narration.