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Rating: 7.5 stars

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Japan priest yakuza monks gambling tattoos Buddhism ninkyo eiga

All movies seen on 05/31/2014

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Wicked Priest (1968)

Directed by Kiyoshi Saeki

Crime | Drama | Action

Overview

During the Taisho Period (early 1920’s) a monastery of warrior monks was split apart between two factions. One of these factions was led by the Chief Abbot and his protege, Shinkai. When Shinkai intercedes in a fight between a rival priest and some ruffians it leads to his expulsion from the order. This story introduced us to the character of Shinkai, a “Karate Priest” and his long running feud with Ryotatsu, his greatest rival. There are touches of humor as Shinkai breaks all the commandments of a priest, including fighting, gambling, and running after women. All this leads to an awesome conclusion as he must destroy a gang of yakuza aided by corrupt priests. The fighting is fast and furious as Ryotatsu waits to see if Shinkai can live long enough to face him in the ultimate test! /Winterheart of CG

Length 90 minutes

Actors

Tomisaburo Wakayama | Bunta Sugawara | Kenjiro Ishiyama | Hôsei Komatsu | Masumi Tachibana | Mari Shiraki | Tatsuo Endô | Kanbi Fujiyama | Keiko Tsushima | Keishiro Kojima | Utako Kyô | Hiroshi Nawa | Harumi Sone | Misa Toki | Takuzô Kawatani | Masako Araki | Shôtarô Hayashi | Ritsu Isiyama | Keiko Kojima | Ichitaro Kuni | Sen Okaji | Naomi Fujiyama | Masaru Shiga | Akira Shioji | Daisuke Awaji

Viewing History (seen 1 time)

Viewing Notes

Blind buy simply for Tomisaburo Wakayama and boy does he deliver. Crazy how larger than life he is in every role. This is no exception. Can see why they made a series of these films. A tattooed, smoking, drinking, gambling, pervert Buddhist monk with a heart of gold? Sure, let’s get Wakayama; he’s perfect for the role! That he is.

When Wakayama isn’t on screen the movie dips. Not much but noticeable when your most charismatic actor is absent. The woman portraying Kogiku is a 1968 splitting image of Ziyi Zhang. Overall feels like a serial so I wouldn’t be surprised if the sequels were planned from the beginning.

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