A ninkyô yakuza story with what, probably for most squeamish westerners anyway, is a disturbing opening titles sequence. One of the many variations on a yakuza clan's sakazuki (sake cup exchange offering) involves the preparation of a still-alive fish to share as a meal with the other invited clan. The unflinching eye of gorgeous color cinematography zeroes in on the panting, puffing helpless creature as its "blindfolded" then sliced up the middle. The stoic ritual lasts through the entire credits, perhaps a metaphor (?) for living death of the yakuza hero caught between the-rock-a-hard-place that his chivalrous humanity and his criminal livelihood. There is an atmospheric sword duel between Ishihara and his enemies at the falling-snow climax.—Chris D