A Certain Killer / A Killer’s Key

Director: Kazuo Mori
Script: Mitsuro Kotaki
Cast: Raizo Ichikawa (both films), Yumiko Nogawa, Miko Narita, Asao Koike (ACK); Ko Nichimura, Tomomi Sato, Isao Yamagata, Ishiro Nakatani (AKK)
Running time: 82/79 minutes
Year: 1967 / 1967
Certificate: 18

Based on a crime novel by Shinji Fujiwara, (the author of the original material for the same year’s A Colt is My Passport), A Certain Killer and A Killer’s Key are similarly stylish hitman thrillers directed by one of Studio Daiei’s most prolific directors, Kazuo Mori (The Tale of Zatoichi Continues) and starring the studio’s top actor Raizō Ichikawa (Shinobi: Band of Assassins, Sleepy Eyes of Death).

Since both films feature the same principal character, and are effectively a two-part series of movies, I think it’s best if I treat this as one over-arching review, rather than for two separate films.

In A Certain Killer, our anti-hero protagonist, Shiozaki (Raizo Ichikawa), is trying to keep a low-profile existence as a chef at a local sushi restaurant, while moonlighting as a professional assassin whose modus operandi is killing by poisoned needles – although they’re more like large metal splinters, but I won’t pick hairs! He’s approached by Maeda, a low-ranking member of a local yakuza group, to take out a rival gang boss. However, the sudden arrival into his life of a spirited young woman, Keiko (Yumiko Nogawa, from Gate of Flesh), has dramatic ramifications on his relationship with his new employer.

The timeline of A Certain Killer is a bit confusing at times, but it’s always entertaining, and the main characters are all well realised by a gameful cast of top-notch professionals. And, like many a film that has noir-ish elements there’s lots of back-stabbing and double-crossing going on. While it’s light on the action elements A Certain Killer manages to deliver some memorable sequences, especially the end fight in a graveyard situated at the edge of a huge landfill site.

Ichikawa’s lone wolf assassin is back in the same year’s A Killer’s Key, this time masquerading as a traditional dance instructor, named Nitta, who is called in to avert a potential financial scandal that threatens to engulf a powerful yakuza group with ties to powerful figures within the political establishment.

Again, A Killer’s Key sees our anti-hero becoming involved – sort of – with a geisha girl, who he teaches traditional dance to, but who’s also the girlfriend of one of Yakuza’s main finance officer. And, because he doesn’t want to get involved with her, she rewards his rebuffal by betraying his trust resulting in a rather frustrating but unexpected ending.

If I’m honest, I probably enjoyed the sequel more than the original as it had a more linear, easier-to-follow storyline, and generally had more action beats to it, especially once the hitman’s revenge spree kicks off. However, the female lead in A Certain Killer is probably more interesting than the one in A Killer’s Key, so they both have varying plus points to recommend them individually.

Both were co-scripted by the well-respected director Yasuzō Masumura (Giants and Toys, Blind Beast) and feature excellent cinematography, which demonstrates a keen eye for colour, by one of Japan’s most esteemed cinematographers, Kazuo Miyagawa (Rashomon, Ugetsu).

This Japanese crime drama duo is presented for the very first time to the English-language home video market by the always excellent Arrow Films.

And, as per usual they’ve put together some decent special features:

Audio commentary for both films by critic and Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns – In both commentaries Rayns does an excellent job of placing the films into the history of Japanese Yakuza and hitman films and talks about the film company behind the movies.

The Definite Murderer (33 mins) – A brand new 30-minute introduction to the films by Japanese film scholar Mark Roberts. The same documentary accompanies both films. He talks about how Daiei came about (from three different production companies, apparently), the director and the 30 films he made with the lead actor, and about the main actors, especially Raizō Ichikawa, who sadly died much too young (aged 37).

Original theatrical trailers for both films (2.18 mins & 2.06 mins) – Both make out that the films are action-packed. 

Image gallery – 11 and 15 stills respectively

Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Tony Stella (unfortunately I wasn’t sent this to review)

Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Jasper Sharp and Earl Jackson (again, unfortunately, I wasn’t sent this to review either)