The Yakuza Papers 4: Police Tactics (1974)

Guerilla warfare

Initially convincing Police Tactics as the final instalment of the series, all the stops were pulled out in intensifying the gangland war left unfinished by the end of the previous film, one that fully delivers on the Battles Without Honor and Humanity namesake. Instead of a unified assault, the battles of this film are more like guerilla warfare, as one side attacks the other and waits for the inevitable retaliation, drawing the ire of civilians and finally forcing the police to act. Of the sequels, this one is the most similar in tone and execution to the original, it also comes with a considerable amount of dark comedy, something unexpected from the series but certainly welcome. Fukasaku continually mounts his impressive direction, drawing a brittle atmosphere of blood splattering the camera, as the unsteady warmth which had temporarily united them, shatters to slivers as they all get forced to the wilderness. There's a double dosing of chaotic violence in this entry as everything comes to a head, darker, uglier and completely unsympathetic with everyone in a constant state of conflict that seemingly never ends. The cast is once again phenomenal, everyone feels so lived-in and believable, and there are too many standouts to name especially Bunta Sugawara at the centre of it all. Powered by the deep grooves of another fantastic Toshiaki Tsushima score; Proxy War was all about setting up the game, Police Tactics comes in, flips the game board and laughs as all the pieces go flying, rounding off the story in an explosively satisfying manner yet the War for Hiroshima is far from over.

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BWH&H 4: The Initial Ending

This story closes out and attempts to tie all the loose ends from the third film. While they would go on to make another, final chapter, this one does a pretty admirable job of tying things up from the previous one.

The funny thing about this entry is that it kind of spins out of control here and there, going places you wouldn't have expected it to (especially given its premise). I think the ending sums up everything this series is trying to say, even if it doesn't give us the definitely conclusion we are keen to see. No one is happy by the end, and those are haven't yet paid know that their time is coming soon. This is the realistic view of the Yakuza, rather than the sensationalized one, that the creators are wanting us to see.

The 3rd and 4th films really go hand in hand, so it's hard not to view this as its own separate tale sometimes. It doesn't take away from my enjoyment of it, however, as it is one of the more intense entries.

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