193. Tokyo Drifter (1966) & Branded to Kill (1967)

This week, we discuss two surrealist yakuza films from Japanese director Seijun Suzuki.

The first is Tokyo Drifter (1966), which follows the reformed yakuza hitman "Phoenix" Tetsu, played by Tetsuya Watari, who is forced to roam Japan while avoiding execution by rival gangs.

The second is Branded to Kill (1967), which follows contract killer Goro Hanada as he is recruited by a mysterious woman named Misako for a seemingly impossible mission. When the mission fails, he is hunted by the phantom Number One Killer, whose methods threaten his life and sanity.

Timestamps

What we’ve been watching (00:00:38) – True Grit, The Man in the Iron Mask, I Swear, Matt McCusker: A Humble Offering, Alien:Earth season one, Mobland season one

Tokyo Drifter (00:30:30)

Branded to Kill (00:51:00)

Coin toss (01:12:10)

Links

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Letterboxd –

@andycifpod

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Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links - https://www.justwatch.com

Tourette’s - the highlights - https://youtu.be/KtCG0wG-5E0?si=pD1O000OouhupeCr 

Funny cheeky Scottish kid with Tourette’s and Johnny Davidson swearing and insulting people - https://youtu.be/Czb7W1VZVZw?si=gu0bXa9k-_8MkRsS 

Abused by customer with Tourettes - https://youtu.be/sQ0XJciN6J0?si=XX5wKiWAfXxxVSuU