Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

I've got little to say other than I am a movie buff and This may be the best movie I have ever seen. Oh, I have been watching movies for 60 years. Just in case someone thinks I haven't seen anything.

for a lover of old classic cinema, a must see. for a story about duty, past and duty. for inspired script and for the smart use of clichés. and, sure, for Robert Mitchell in a role who seems be perfect for him. because Japan of "Yakuza" has the gift to be a complex and realistic portrait . traditions, history, crime, the war against a powerful organization. and, sure, an admirable story of friendship. short, one of films for see it time by time.

This film opens with a helpful definition of its title. But, being short and to the point, a good translation for "The Yakuza" would be "The (Japanese) Mafia". Retiring detective Robert Mitchum (as Harry Kilmer) is called by full-haired friend Brian Keith (as George Tanner) because the latter's daughter Louise has been kidnapped by "The Yakuza". The men joke about their advanced years and travel on separate planes, to avoid looking suspicious. Arriving in Japan, Mr. Mitchum seeks help from old friend Ken Takakura (as Tanaka Ken), who reportedly gave up the gangster lifestyle. Also involved is Mitchum's still young and beautiful old girlfriend Keiko Kishi (as Eiko)...Accompanied by tender narration, Mitchum visiting his former Japanese girlfriend at "Kilmer House" is a high point for director Sydney Pollack and the crew, in this otherwise numbing gangster epic. The scene ends on an obvious and sour note, when we get a hint about her hiding a dark secret...The most beautifully staged and photographed (by Okazaki Kozo) scene occurs with Mitchum and young bodyguard Richard Jordan (as Dusty) at a Japanese bath. This sequence manages to be both beautiful and gruesome. Other scenes are notable for their violent content, which even make hard-nosed Mitchum wince… several times. Most of the time, Mitchum and Takakura speak clearly and trade steely-eyed stares. The setting helps, but maintaining interest is difficult after Mr. Jordan and Christina Kokubo (as Hanako) exit the story. The young couple has surprising appeal and re-writes giving them more time on screen together would have been a good idea.***** The Yakuza (1974-12-21) Sydney Pollack ~ Robert Mitchum, Ken Takakura, Richard Jordan, Brian Keith

This film has a strong reputation built on Schrader and Towne's writing talent and with a cast and director all in good form. While it may have been seen as strong in its time; it has faded considerably over 30 years later.Starting with the writing, it is functional but somewhat inert and lifeless and this dryness is exemplified in a scene in a kitchen when a Japanese character tells the young American what the Yakuza are and it's a straight recitation that might have been lifted from an encyclopedia. It would be unusual for an English speaker to say such a thing in that way, but for a Japanese saying it is just bad writing and editing. Then there is the long expositions of back story and how Japan is different; and also the dreaded Western perceptions of Japanese myth and ritual. All that Asian mysticism bound up with warrior culture is well beyond its use by date now. It was new in 1974, but that dates the film and its sensibility very strongly.Then there is Mitchum and Keith. Mitchum was a straight up no nonsense actor and worked well as a tough guy, but here he is too stony faced; too much like a dead fish and wooden that it drags on the film. He stands, speaks and reacts but hardly acts. Keith is not much more interesting and a lesser presence. It's not helped by direction that is sluggish, lacking dynamic energy and close to a "Starsky and Hutch" episode.Overall, a rather mediocre effort from a team that had some great highs and was very capable, but this is not one of their best. As such it has not lasted very well.