A NIKKATSU PRODUCTION
MANY ACCIDENTS
HAVE OCCURRED
IN THIS AREA
CAUTION!
TAKE AIM AT THE POLICE VAN
Produced by RYOJI MOTEGI
Based on a Story by KAZUO SHIMADA Screenplay by SHINICHI SEKIZAWA
Cinematography by SHIGEYOSHI MINE
Lighting SHINNOSUKE ANDO Sound Recording SABURO TAKAHASHI
Production Design by BUGEN SAKAGUCHI
Edited by AKIRA SUZUKI Music by KOICHI KAWABE
Starring
MICHITARO MIZUSHIMA
MARI SHIRAKI MISAKO WATANABE
SHINSUKE ASHIDA SHOICHI OZAWA
RYOHEl UCHIDA TORU ABE
TATSUO MATSUSHITA SABURO HIROMATSU
REIKO ARAI TO YO FUKUDA, KOTOE HATSUI
Directed by SEIJUN SUZUKI
Out so late and all tied up. Think we'll get overtime?
We're hardly company men, idiot!
Smart-ass!
Fuyukichi.
AKI
Goro, who was that?
I'm not sure, sir.
You're out on bail tomorrow, right?
Did she put up bail for you?
Could be.
Thank you for everything, sir.
No thanks necessary. Just stay out of trouble.
AKI
CAUTION!
IN THIS AREA
HAVE OCCURRED
MANY ACCIDENTS
HAVE OCCURRED
IN THIS AREA
CAUTION!
Get down!
Stay down!
PRISONERS IN POLICE VAN GUNNED DOWN
SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION FOR PRISON OFFICER?
Mr. Tamon, this is no time to play with toys.
This is ridiculous.
Suspended for six months? That's too harsh!
I don't mind.
I was responsible, after all.
That gunman was responsible. Honestly!
I'll just call it a vacation and take it easy.
Ah, that's suspended for six months too.
Keep it in mothballs, will you?
Fine.
Why risk attacking a police van?
Drugs? Smuggling?
Or something bigger?
I'm just a prison officer. I should leave it to the cops.
But I'm not going to.
What? Goro?
Who might you be?
Just an acquaintance.
From prison? He's not here.
- He's stepped out? - You might say that.
He finally gets out and then vanishes and stiffs me for the rent.
If you see him, tell him I'll be renting out his room.
I'll let him know.
So where do you think he might be?
KAMOGAWA RESTAURANT
So Goro got out, did he?
First I've heard of it.
His landlady told me everything. No need to pretend.
It's true. He used to come around before.
His girlfriend Tsunako worked here.
Still, you've come all this way. Have one for the road.
I think your act needs a little polish.
What do you mean?
What's this?
Goro wrote this, didn't he? AKI
You're a sharp one.
In any case, he isn't here now.
Who is it?
Scary times we live in.
How about that drink?
Sorry. I thought you were in a hurry.
Right away.
Sir -
What are you doing?
Don't worry, Osen. This one's a gentleman.
So you say, but now you've made me look bad.
- Going out? - Yeah. To Atami, for the hot springs.
Sorry to hear about your situation.
Oh, six months' vacation is nothing to get upset about.
Prison guards are normally a nasty bunch,
but this gentleman is different.
Enough of that. Just tell me what you saw.
- Saw? - During the attack. You -
I didn't see a thing.
What's this "Aki"?
Just scribbling. A bad habit.
Recently acquired.
Not really. And I didn't see anything.
If you say so.
Don't think badly of me. I've got an opportunity here.
An opportunity?
For money?
Got a little money-maker going?
Sorry. I can't really say.
Why are you so interested, sir?
Like your bag says: "No U-Turn." I can only go forward.
See ya.
The front's too risky. Go out the back.
Sorry, sir.
Boss.
Okay, fine.
Tamon!
Maybe you can get him to talk.
Stonewalling, eh? You're a tough cookie.
Takamura, did you have me watched?
No, you just fell in our net. Are you carrying your piece?
I turned it in. Why?
An armed marksman walking the streets worries me.
I know you feel responsible,
but leave catching the culprit to us.
I'll stay out of your way. It's just -
Anyway, any developments?
We have no idea where to start.
One of the victims murdered a fellow thug.
The other was just a punk forcing runaway girls into prostitution.
Neither worth attacking a police van for.
So you switched to Goro.
All he led us to
was a certain prison officer - our rotten luck.
- So I'm free to go? - Yeah.
Ryuta, killed in the attack, had a sister.
She's my next lead.
Ryuta Komine's sister works here, doesn't she?
Komine?
You mean Mari Sanjo? She's not with us anymore.
Okay, go!
These girls move on for a few more yen. She quit yesterday.
What does she look like?
She's the fifth one down.
What about this one?
Sorry. Have a seat.
What's this girl's name?
Tsunako Ando. She quit with Mari.
Said she had to put up bail for someone.
You know where she went?
Somewhere with better pay.
Maybe a spa hotel. Risky, but good money.
- Spa hotel? - Yeah, strippers in the rooms.
They're probably working together in Atami.
Easy for you to ask for bail.
I had to change jobs and then beg for an advance.
Forget all that.
I'm onto a surefire thing.
That's why I pressured you.
But -
Don't look so worried.
Tomorrow night at 8:00...
I'm meeting here with Akiba from Tokyo.
If things go well, I'll make a killing.
Akiba?
Don't worry, Tsunako.
Soon we'll finally be able to live together.
Idiot! Get your eyes tested!
KAJIKA INN
Sorry to keep you. I have it right this time.
The Toshiba Warbler AS, the latest model.
Please enjoy your stay.
One more thing.
Can I get a little fun around here?
Fun, sir?
Don't play dumb.
You've been here a while, right?
Sure, but things aren't what they used to be.
It's all mild-mannered old ladies now.
Maybe on the outside.
But there's more behind it, right?
No, there's nothing behind anything.
Then what's this?
Thanks. I'm no match for you.
These two are professionals. They worked in Asakusa.
- Asakusa? - Keep it down, please.
We're peeking in without paying.
Who employed those girls?
- The Hamaju Agency. - Hamaju Agency?
HAMAJU TALENT AGENCY
What?
Idiot! Who do you think I am?
These things don't always go according to plan, boss.
This is risky work.
And I pay you well.
Your job is to get all those girls by the deadline.
- It's impossible! - No, it isn't.
Throw more money at them.
If Fukushima has dried up, then try Yamagata.
Mr. Akabori, you got some work for me, please?
Lay off. Not after the incident last night.
Was I talking to you?
Please, Mr. Akabori.
Up in Ito, perhaps? - No.
Come on. Don't be like that.
I do have one nibble.
- Tell me. - It isn't close by.
Far away?
Far away is fine. I'll go anywhere.
You'll have to take a boat.
If you're still interested, I'll tell you more.
What the hell do you want? - I want to see the owner.
No unsolicited sales.
That go for your girls too?
Why you -
I just want to meet your boss.
The boss isn't here. Now get out.
You're awfully rude to your guests.
Wiseass!
Dangerous toys.
This can go a number of ways. It all depends on you.
I'm a prison officer. Tamon's the name.
Call your boss for me.
SANKOSO INN
This way, please.
This all belongs to Hamaju?
That's right. Please wait here.
Here you are.
She's good.
Now I'll show you my Yoichi Nasuno style.
These are western bows.
I'd rather see William Tell or Robin Hood.
That was bad!
Sorry to keep you waiting.
I'm Miss Hamajima. Please call me Yuko.
Is something the matter?
You're just not what I expected.
My father isn't well.
He's in the hospital in Tokyo.
- So you run the Hamaju Agency? - Yes.
There's no one else to do it.
This is a surprise.
Please forgive me, but I thought Hamaju
was all thugs and women peddling their flesh.
I think of them as our merchandise.
That's cold, calling human beings "merchandise."
I think of all criminals as human beings, no matter their crime.
So let's talk about some "merchandise" -
Mari, the murder victim.
Yuko...
what do you know about her?
- That's what you're interested in? - Yes.
That...
and how to shoot a deadly arrow through a shoji screen.
Do you like mystery novels, Mr. Tamon?
Carr, Queen, Irish - their work is so wonderfully convoluted.
I prefer mysteries set in Japan.
Is that all you wanted?
No.
I believe a certain Goro works for your group.
Goro?
He's real tight with Tsunako, Mari's colleague.
I want to talk to him. - Let's ask in the office.
Things look bad.
We need to do something.
- Got any ideas? - I'm still thinking.
Hello there. Terrible tragedy last night.
How are you bearing up?
My wife thinks I'm on a business trip,
but that stripper's death put my name in the paper.
Mine too. We're just salesmen.
"Forgive me, honeybunch!"
Learn to knock.
I'm not one for etiquette.
- What about this guy Goro? - He hasn't been into the office.
Is Tsunako still at the station?
She should be done soon.
Then you can go.
Yuko...
you were pretty friendly with that prison guy.
That's none of your business.
And another thing:
You've been pretty busy in my father's absence.
I haven't overstepped my bounds.
See that you don't.
I don't like what I'm hearing.
You gotta be kidding.
I never thought I'd hear you talk like this.
Dirt sticks to everyone in this line of work.
You'll understand soon enough. Enjoy yourself while you can.
How about a drink?
Let me go!
The Hamaju Agency is mine.
It will never be yours!
POLICE STATION
Tsunako, I'll get straight to the point. Where's Goro?
You've seen him, haven't you?
Yes.
Has something happened? - Where is he now?
- Wadaya. - Wadaya?
Did he ever talk about "Aki"?
Aki? You mean Akiba?
- Akiba? - That's right.
Goro is meeting with him right now.
That's it.
Tsunako, I came to get you.
Yuko, I need to borrow Tsunako. I'll send her right back.
Headed for Wadaya?
Akabori found Goro too.
I wanted to be the first to tell you.
I'd drive you myself, but something's come up.
Tsunako, the highway can be lovely at night.
Enjoy the trip.
This is Goro's bag! He went over the side!
Sir, over there!
You wait here.
Well, if it isn't Tamon.
Officer -
Just call me Tamon.
Do you really think Goro was killed?
I don't know.
No body has turned up.
But that bag did, and his shoe washed up on the beach.
I wouldn't hold out much hope.
He was a good man.
So you're going back to the Kamogawa restaurant?
Yes.
Two men died that night.
Fuyukichi Tatsuma and Ryuta Komine.
But were they really the targets?
Or maybe just one of them?
Goro knows who did it -
this guy Akiba in Tokyo.
Goro tried to blackmail him but got himself killed instead.
Akiba probably had a hand in Mari Sanjo's murder too.
And Yuko, for her part,
may have known I'd be attacked.
AKIBA... FUYUKICHI... GORO
So you learned of this Akiba in Atami.
I think they have a big organization.
- Not just small-fry? - No, real big fish is my hunch.
We'll know soon enough.
This Akiba, linked to Ryuta and now Goro, holds the key.
No luck, sir.
"Akiba" isn't enough to go on.
- You tried everything? - Yes.
Names of buildings, regions, stations - still nothing.
Mr. Tamon...
none of the prisoners belonged to the Archery Association,
but there's a member in Atami you might be interested in:
Yuko Hamajima.
Seems you know her.
Takamura.
Listen, play with matches and you'll get burned.
Goro and Ryuta can take me no further.
But there's still the other victim -
Fuyukichi.
Let's hope he had a girlfriend.
- More questions? - More?
You're a policeman, right?
Two of you already took a load of letters away.
Were they from headquarters?
Maybe. Policemen all look the same to me.
Wait a minute. One's name was Daijiro Tamon.
Daijiro Tamon? What did he look like?
Look like?
At my age I don't exactly stare at men,
but Shoko might know.
Shoko?
She lived with Fuyukichi.
She said she's found a good job.
A little far away, but still, I'm happy -
Where is she?
Shoko?
She was just here. Ah, there she is!
Welcome.
- Don't make that face. - Girl trouble, right?
Yeah.
I can't keep up with girls today.
Don't say that.
You have to be patient.
- I don't think I can. - You have no choice.
But inviting her to your place wasn't very smart.
What are you talking about?
No need to play dumb.
You asked a friend to call Tsunako for you.
- A friend? - Yes.
She went straight over to your place.
You're leaving?
- Did a woman come here? - Yes. She's waiting in your room.
Nice and quiet around here.
You wile away your solitary hours with these?
Something I can help you with?
A quiet life is very appealing to a woman.
But best-suited to a bachelor.
Is that what brought you all the way from Atami?
I'm here visiting my father.
And I also -
No, I'd better not.
What?
I thought I'd invite you to the theater...
but perhaps I shouldn't have come after all.
You and I live in different worlds.
I'm impressed that you still see criminals as people.
Yuko, I have a question.
Go alone, if you like.
No need to see me out.
Why did Yuko come here?
To check up on me?
Why did Shoko run away?
Did your guest already leave?
She was a beauty. You should have tried harder.
Did another woman come by?
Another one?
Tsunako!
Goro!
I've missed you.
Akiba didn't kill you?
I never saw him, but I did get the job.
Job?
Yeah, and it pays well.
Will you go wait for me in Gotenba?
But -
Just do as I say.
GET WELL SOON - AKABORI
I'm glad you're better, Father.
The doctors say I can go home anytime.
Has Akabori been coming by often?
Yes.
He's been using our name for his own ends.
You needn't worry.
He's been with me for years.
He wouldn't upset that now.
Sure he isn't just joking around? - No, Father.
I should never have sent you to college.
You just give me gray hair.
I hear you've made friends with an Officer Tamon.
So Akabori's been talking.
It doesn't matter who it was.
It's insulting. I was just -
Agency affairs stay within the agency.
You know the rules, don't you?
Yes.
Good.
Yuko, you're all I have to live for.
I'm going to set you up for life, whatever it takes.
Some spending money.
What's that?
Nothing important.
How about some melon?
Shoko, right? I have to talk to you.
Grab him!
Let go of me!
I said let go!
What do you want?
I'm just a defenseless girl.
You? Defenseless?
I paid your money back. What's the problem?
Money? I never lent you money.
Akiba didn't send you?
All that running for nothing.
You know Akiba?
No.
A-G-Q, A-G-Q.
Take the truck to the Shinjuku station, west exit.
Yes, sir.
- Tell me about Akiba. - I don't know him.
A friend of Fuyukichi's wanted to buy me for a wad of cash.
- A friend? - He was always chewing gum.
- And he works for Akiba? - Guess so.
But then someone made me a better offer.
I follow the cash, so I gave him the brush-off.
That's why I thought you were after me.
Shoko! We'll save you!
I'm fine.
He's not one of them.
Thanks anyway. - Darn! I wanted some fun.
- So who is he? - A nice officer.
What kind of officer?
Works in prison.
You mean, like juvie hall?
Let's go.
Come on.
Who made you a better offer?
A woman.
A woman?
Real pretty. I'm off to Atami tomorrow.
Atami?
Why buy Shoko from Akiba?
I've got to get Yuko to talk.
ADMIT ONE
You tried everything? THE AKIBA SKIPPER
Names of buildings, regions, stations - still nothing.
Plan A failed.
Tamon's tailing our truck now.
We'll lead him to you. Be ready.
This is no time for fighting!
TO: FUYUKICHI TATSUMA
I lost a good prospect. Said she got a better offer.
Someone's onto us.
We silenced Ryuta and Fuyukichi.
What about Goro?
Can't be. He's got no money.
He's counting on his cut from Akiba.
Who then?
Yuko.
Never.
- You're just blinded by love. - What?
Make a move for her.
Though you'd never get her. She likes that Tamon.
Shouldn't we tell Akiba?
No, it's simple. I kill anyone who interferes.
He's still on our trail, near Yatsuyama Bridge.
- Ota, you're late. - Gotenba's not exactly next door.
Did you get them?
Fourteen beauties.
Plenty of girls there since the army cleared out.
You call these beauties?
- How many did you get? - Cut it out.
Akiba wanted 14 or 15. We've met his quota.
You got something planned?
Just shut up and you'll see.
Mr. Tamon!
I can't see the target.
Get off me!
No, stop! Don't!
Akiba...
You're awake.
I'm glad you weren't badly hurt.
So it was you last night.
Rest and get your strength back.
Yuko...
why where you there last night?
Do I have to say?
Yes, I must know.
Tell me.
Why did you buy Shoko?
Can't you tell me?
Then why did you save me?
I can't keep all this under wraps.
It could mean the end of the Hamaju Agency.
Yuko.
Why did you let her go?
She's the key to this. She knows Akiba.
I told you you'd get burned.
That's all you came to tell me?
Ever seen this before?
This is Goro's.
The dead man?
- Where'd you get this? - That warehouse.
So he was there?
Then Goro knows Akiba too.
Mr. Takamura, you have a phone call.
Prints from the lighter belong to Goro Kashima?
No, he's not dead. That was all staged.
I'm coming back now.
Please turn that off.
What are you doing here?
You should be resting.
I'm fine.
I'd better sit down.
Please sit down too.
Yuko, please tell me what you know.
If you don't talk, more people will die.
I'm appealing to the good in you.
Even the worst people -
I don't mean you.
Even the worst people are capable of good too.
This Akiba you're involved with - there's good in him too.
It's just dormant.
It's my job to awaken it.
Can you help me do that?
Take me to Akiba.
Can't you do that?
You're a cold woman
who calls girls "merchandise."
So cold that you killed a stripper,
made Goro fake his death, and tried to kill me.
Tamon!
Then you had the nerve to visit me in the hospital.
You're Akiba, aren't you? - No!
I'm going to expose you.
You've got it all wrong. I'm not what you think.
I'm part of the Hamaju Agency.
We deal with our own problems.
It's a point of pride.
Enough excuses!
It's not me!
It's Akabori.
He contacted Akiba and did all of this.
With my father indisposed,
Akabori is trying to sell the Hamaju Agency to Akiba.
I was there last night to see Akiba.
I don't even know who he is.
Tamon...
I wanted to tell you.
I knew I would need help.
But if I dragged you into it,
you'd have been killed too!
I couldn't bear that.
No matter what happened to me,
I wanted to keep you out of it.
Yuko.
That's all it was.
Shoko!
Yuko, you saved Shoko
to protect Hamaju, right?
You taught me to see a person as a person.
My mother was treated like merchandise too.
You know those women who go to Southeast Asia?
As prostitutes?
Yes.
My mother was one of them.
She had a child by one of her customers.
That child was me.
What about Mr. Hamajima?
He took us in.
Tamon, there are still girls who need saving.
Where?
I don't know. Akiba or Akabori would -
Sorry to interrupt all the fun.
You're ruining the Hamaju name.
And business is booming.
But it's time to eliminate certain obstacles.
Your last good-bye. I'll give you a moment to kiss.
- Then what? - We'll see.
Akiba will want some answers. - Just who is Akiba?
You're better off not knowing.
Now stop jabbering and turn around!
Who's Akiba?
Where are the girls?
Talk!
In Gotenba.
Take me there.
Yuko.
No luck. There's no answer.
What?
He blew it.
Here's to your new jobs, ladies.
Bottoms up!
Goro, are you helping to sell young girls?
That's right.
Now it makes sense.
Akiba told you to fake your death, didn't he?
A dead man can work undisturbed, right?
What's all that matter? This is my chance.
Let's go to the police.
You gotta be kidding.
I'm sick of being poor.
I'm gonna make a killing.
Goro, leave your broad alone and help out.
- We leaving? - Not till Akiba gets here.
Slip 'em the sedatives first.
Sir, my name is Goro -
This way, sir.
Sure, shooting you would be quicker,
but look at this as a chance for one last drive together.
GASOLINE
That should be enough.
Yuko...
the ropes.
Hurry. It's gonna blow!
Step on the brake! Quick!
All clear.
Tsunako.
Tsunako!
Goro!
Sir...
I had to take the chance.
Who is Akiba?
Black sunglasses...
the brothel by the station.
Sir, my gun...
Tamon.
Don't worry.
I won't just barge in the front door.
Everyone out!
Shoot Tamon. Don't hesitate.
Idiot!
You'll give us away.
He may not be alone.
Any trains leaving town?
The far passenger train is running empty to Yamakita.
Damn you!
Bastard!
Father!
Father...
you were Akiba all along?
Father.
Father!
Get away from me!
Don't shoot.
It's my father. Don't shoot!
Please don't shoot!
Stop!
Father!
THE END
Subtitles by Subtext Subtitling, Los Angeles