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IMDbPro

Branded to Kill

Original title: Koroshi no rakuin
  • 19671967
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9K
YOUR RATING
Branded to Kill (1967)
After a badly done assignment, a hitman finds himself in conflict with his organization, and one mysterious and dangerous fellow-hitman in particular.
Play trailer3:09
1 Video
58 Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
After a badly done assignment, a hitman finds himself in conflict with his organisation, and one mysterious and dangerous fellow-hitman in particular.After a badly done assignment, a hitman finds himself in conflict with his organisation, and one mysterious and dangerous fellow-hitman in particular.After a badly done assignment, a hitman finds himself in conflict with his organisation, and one mysterious and dangerous fellow-hitman in particular.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Seijun Suzuki
  • Writers
    • Hachiro Guryu(screenplay)
    • Mitsutoshi Ishigami(screenplay)
    • Takeo Kimura(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jô Shishido
    • Mariko Ogawa
    • Annu Mari
Top credits
  • Director
    • Seijun Suzuki
  • Writers
    • Hachiro Guryu(screenplay)
    • Mitsutoshi Ishigami(screenplay)
    • Takeo Kimura(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jô Shishido
    • Mariko Ogawa
    • Annu Mari
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 55User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:09
    Trailer

    Photos58

    Jô Shishido in Branded to Kill (1967)
    Mariko Ogawa and Jô Shishido in Branded to Kill (1967)
    Annu Mari, Mariko Ogawa, and Jô Shishido in Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)
    Branded to Kill (1967)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jô Shishido
    Jô Shishido
    • Gorô Hanadaas Gorô Hanada
    • (as Joe Shishido)
    Mariko Ogawa
    • Mami Hanadaas Mami Hanada
    Annu Mari
    Annu Mari
    • Misako Nakajôas Misako Nakajô
    • (as Anne Mari)
    Kôji Nanbara
    Kôji Nanbara
    • No. 1as No. 1
    Isao Tamagawa
    • Michihiko Yabuharaas Michihiko Yabuhara
    Hiroshi Minami
    • Gihei Kasugaas Gihei Kasuga
    Hiroshi Chô
    Atsushi Yamatoya
    Takashi Nomura
    Tokuhei Miyahara
    Hiroshi Midorikawa
    Akira Hisamatsu
      Iwae Arai
      Yû Izumi
      Kyôji Mizuki
      Takashi Seyama
      Masaaki Honme
      Mitsuru Sawa
      • Director
        • Seijun Suzuki
      • Writers
        • Hachiro Guryu(screenplay)
        • Mitsutoshi Ishigami(screenplay) (uncredited)
        • Takeo Kimura(screenplay)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        When Nikkatsu studio executives saw the finished product, they thought it was too terrible to be released, so they shelved it. Seijun Suzuki along with others in the film business, film critics, and students protested in unfairness since, by contract, Nikkatsu was supposed to release the finished film theatrically. It went to court, with a ruling in favor of the director. Nikkatsu had to pay for damages and have the film released. Suzuki's contract with Nikkatsu was terminated, and with the bad reputation, was unable to work on a feature film for the next 10 years.
      • Quotes

        Misako Nakajô: My dream is to die.

      • Connections
        Followed by Pisutoru opera (2001)

      User reviews55

      Review
      Top review
      8/10
      So cool Jarmusch ripped it off
      Seijun Suzuki refers to his films as "entertainment" and without critical merit. Yet, this was somewhat tongue in cheek as he stated that critics feel a movie must have a "moral or some social commentary" to be worthy of attention. Be that as it may, "Branded to Kill" is simply a fantastic achievement. Suzuki was working with both a lead man and a script provided to him by the Nikkatsu Corporation. As such, when you evaluate his films, you do so by focusing on the technical merits. Personally, I find his disconnected editing, and surreal lighting styles to be amazing. Suzuki's skill turns what is otherwise a laughable boiler plate film noir into something more. The lighting and editing make the exclamations that the script doesn't, and the decision to shoot the final scene in a boxing ring is brilliant.

      It was entertaining to watch person after person jump up and down about the originality of "Ghost Dog" with no mention of the fact that Jarmusch lifted one of the assassination sequences unchanged from "Branded to Kill". Hopefully as more of Suzuki's work comes to DVD, people and critics alike will recognize a blatant tribute when it is given. Suzuki deserves them all.
      helpful•48
      4
      • charlietuna
      • Jun 17, 2001

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • June 15, 1967 (Japan)
      • Country of origin
        • Japan
      • Languages
        • Japanese
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Öldürme Arzusu
      • Filming locations
        • Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
      • Production company
        • Nikkatsu
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 31 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.35 : 1

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