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    About This Item

    Unique ID Code: 0000020729
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 25/7/2001 01:24
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    Brother (UK)

    7 / 10
    3 votes cast
    Rate this item
    Inline Image

    The Yakuza takes on the Mafia
    Certificate: 18
    Running Time: 108 mins
    Retail Price: £19.99
    Release Date:

    Synopsis:
    A film by Takeshi Kitano, the acclaimed director of Hana-Bi, Violent Cop and Boiling Point.

    In Japan, the sworn brotherhood of the Yakuza is described as being “thicker than the blood of kindred brothers”. With his life under threat, disgraced Yakuza hard man Yamamoto escapes to Los Angeles in search of his half-brother Ken, a small-time drug dealer. Unable to speak the language and confused by his surrounding, Yamamoto teams up with Ken and his friend and fellow gang-member Denny. Soon Yamamoto finds himself back in the old routine. His ruthless efficiency in terrorising and killing rival gang members shocks even the blood hardened Americans, and before long Yamamoto’s gang is strong enough to join forces with a rival Japanese crime lord called Shirase.

    The gang is now too big to be ignored, and they are quickly warned off by the Mafia. Yamamoto realises that there can be no turning back and as events draw towards their inevitable conclusion, the Yakuza learns that only Denny understands the ancient code of the “brotherhood”.

    Japanese (subtitled in English) and English Language dialogue

    Special Features:
    Interactive Menus
    Scene Access
    Cast and Crew Interviews
    On Location
    Behind the Scenes
    Theatrical Trailer

    Video Tracks:
    Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1

    Audio Tracks:
    Dolby Digital 5.1 English

    Subtitle Tracks:
    English

    Directed By:
    Takeshi Kitano

    Written By:

    Starring:
    Tatyana Ali
    James Shigeta
    Ryo Ishibashi
    Ren Osugi
    Lombardo Boyar
    Royale Watkins
    Susumu Terajima
    Masaya Kato
    Kuroudo Maki
    Omar Epps
    Takeshi Kitano

    Soundtrack By:
    Jo Hisaishi

    Director of Photography:
    Katsumi Yanagishima

    Editor:
    Yoshinori Oota
    Takeshi Kitano

    Costume Designer:
    Yohji Yamamoto

    Production Designer:
    Norihiro Isoda

    Visual Effects:
    David Waine
    John C. Hartigan

    Producer:
    Takio Yoshida
    Peter Watson
    Jeremy Thomas
    Masayuki Mori
    Shinji Komiya
    Ann Carli

    Distributor:
    VCI
    Film Four

    Your Opinions and Comments

    5 / 10
    Kitano films are always intersting, but I didn`t find this to be a satisfactory transfer at all...
    posted by Richard73 on 4/12/2001 23:20
    8 / 10
    Brother is a superb film and is as a bleak experience as I have come to expect from a Kitano film.

    The film centres on Kitano as a Yakuza, who has gone to the US is search of his brother. Whilst in the US, his old Yakuza ways elevate his brother`s gang in the criminal world of LA where against his wishes, they go up against the mafia.

    Kitano once again plays the lead character very well, as there is not much for him to say. Actors from his previous films as well as the western actors handle their respective roles superbly.

    The visuals are good, and the sound performs it`s job. The extras are thin on the ground but, the biographical look at Kitano is very good indeed and acts an excellent introduction to Kitano and his work.

    All in all, a great film given an average treatment.
    posted by wazza on 29/12/2001 17:08