MartinHafer This movie is the life story of a punk named Isamu--with the bulk of it following his insane path following his release from prison. While the idea of a mobster being a sociopath is no surprise, Isamu is peculiar even among the yakuza. This is because he also has an insane need for excitement and is incredibly self-destructive and angry--so much so that you know he cannot continue his path for long. After all, taking on the yakuza (sort of like the Japanese mafia) nearly single-handedly is just plain nuts! Yet, this crazed punk assembles a very small gang and attempts to do just that! "Street Mobster" is one of the most violent and nihilistic Japanese films I have ever seen. Its violence is vicious, uncaring and filled with pure rage. And, as a portrait of a thug, it IS effective and realistic. But, with graphic rapes, stabbing after stabbing after stabbing, it makes you wonder who the audience would be for this blood-fest. Plus, after raping one woman, the lady then has a twisted love-hate relationship with him that is just plain unsavory. Not a movie I enjoyed and one I am loathe to recommend because it's so nasty, but it IS unflinching and pulls no punches.

zetes Bunta Sugawara plays a low-level criminal who keeps getting in trouble with a major yakuza clan. After a ton of screwing around with them, a second yakuza clan adopts him as one of their own. At first, everyone's happy about it, but soon enough, Sugawara feels trapped and starts to act out. This, of course, does not please his bosses. The main problem with this one is that Sugawara's character is just so unlikable - you have to wonder why the yakuza on either side keep letting him screw around so much. The mobsters from The Godfather would have whacked him instantly (especially since he's essentially a nobody; he has a few followers, but they're just punks, too). The value of the film comes from Fukasaku's direction, which seems revolutionary for 1972, almost Jason Bourne-like with hand-held cameras, thrusting the audience in the kinetic action sequences. The direction is definitely some of Fukasaku's best work.

6325 Unbelievable - this ultraviolent gangster flick is from 1972 - if it wasn't for the poor monophonic sound mix on the dvd, you almost wouldn't recognize the age! Fast cuts, ultracool gangster hero, bloody beat-ups and shootings - everything that Beat Takeshi Kitano is exploring and developing to a further stage in his brilliant movies 'Hana-Bi' or 'Brother' can be found in this masterpiece as a blueprint.Fans of Asian action cinema won't be disappointed - the film is moving so fast, the inevitable climax almost let's you lose breath - this is a true gem! Get it, see it!

Jasik Outlaw Killer or as it says in the film, Street Mobster, is a bloody violent look into a totally self-destructive renegade street punk that can't ever seem to back down from a fight, no matter how suicidal. Truly a hilarious, incredibly charismatic character. So funny.The film follows him as he talks about his youth, his incarceraton and picks up with him creating a new gang. Parts are a bit too melodramatic, especially at the end, but the characters are well-crafted and the action sequences are frenetic and fun.A unique view of yakuza and street punk life in Japan in the early '70s from crazy-guy Fukasaku, the man behind Tora! Tora! Tora! and the fantastic Battle Royale.