Rent House of Bamboo (1955)
3.6 of 5 from 70 ratings
1h 37min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Filmed in Japan, Sam Fuller's 1955 crime noir tells the story of Eddie Kenner (Robert Stack), a U.S. army operative sent to Tokyo as an investigator. A gang of American expatriates is robbing U.S. military ammunition and supply trains, and using military tactics to do it. They're a ruthless bunch, killing not only any troops and police that get in the way but also their own wounded. Working undercover, Kenner must gain the trust of ex-soldier Sandy Dawson (Robert Ryan), who now heads the gang. The beautiful Japanese wife of a slain gangster is all too willing to help.
- Actors:
- Robert Ryan, Robert Stack, Shirley Yamaguchi, Cameron Mitchell, Brad Dexter, Sessue Hayakawa, Biff Elliot, Sandro Giglio, Elko Hanabusa, Clifford Arashiro, Sandy Azeka, Harry Carey Jr., Barry Coe, Fred Dale, John Doucette, Fuji, Samuel Fuller, Peter Gray, Reiko Hayakawa, Robert Hosai
- Directors:
- Samuel Fuller
- Producers:
- Buddy Adler
- Voiced By:
- Richard Loo
- Writers:
- Harry Kleiner, Samuel Fuller
- Studio:
- Simply Media
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 28/10/2019
- Run Time:
- 102 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.55:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- 'House of Bamboo' - Audio commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
- 'House of Bamboo' - Audio commentary with Film historians Alain Silver and James Ursini
- 'House of Bamboo' - A brand new video essay by David Cairns looking at Samuel Fuller s films produced for Twentieth Century Fox
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Reviews (1) of House of Bamboo
Japanese Gangsters. - House of Bamboo review by Steve
Sam Fuller took the American gangster film to Tokyo and turned its classic b&w expressionism into brilliant Technicolor. It is a remake of the 1948 film noir, The Street With No Name. Robert Stack goes undercover in occupied Japan to infiltrate a gang of former US soldiers who have established a syndicate.
While the film is set against a backdrop of national regeneration, it isn't political. It's a straight thriller. It captures Japan in the spasm of great change, but its vision is more touristic. There's a fabulous lingering shot of Mount Fuji. There's the Imperial Hotel, and an exciting (Hitchcock influenced) finale on the rooftop of the Tokyo Amusement Park.
The racketeers are led by Robert Ryan, who has the hoodlum's customary vanity; his gunmen wear some amazing suits and look as stylish as any screen gang, ever. There is an unmissable homosexual relationship between Ryan and his number one boy, which makes a stronger impact than the tepid inter-racial romance between Stack and Shirley Yamaguchi. Both were contrary to the production code in 1955.
House of Bamboo isn't immersed in the sleazy lowlife typical of Fuller's work, or have his usual energy. It wasn't a project he initiated or his screenplay. But there are some stunning camera setups, a fair amount of suspense and great locations. It wasn't the first colour crime film of the fifties, but the striking use of CinemaScope makes it groundbreaking and Fuller adapts the technology with flair.
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