Member Takuma Posted October 31, 2015 Member Share Posted October 31, 2015 I don't think I've posted about these films here yet, so here goes...Violent Panic: The Big Crash (Boso panikku: Daigekitotsu) (1976)One of Kinji Fukasaku's most enjoyable films, an utterly insane action classic with one of the greatest car chase sequences of all time. Tsunehiko Watase stars as a bank robber trying to escape the country with his girlfriend while being chased by both the police and his dead partner's maniac brother who wants his share of the cash.It all leads to an incredible 20 minute non-stop demolition derby that is unlike anything else ever seen. In addition to the police and the dead partner's brother, the chase involves a biker gang whose member got killed by the speeding cars, citizens angered by the police who ran over a civilian, and a crazed news crew, all trying to kill each other with vehicles. Imagine The Blues Brothers directed by Fukasaku as an ultraviolent crime film and you'll get the picture.In addition to the incredible chase scene, the film features a terrific score by Toshiaki Tsushima, who also scored The Street Fighter and Battle without Honour and Humanity. The film also packs tons of great actors: Hideo Murota as the maniac avenger, Takuzo Kawatani as a bullied policeman who's going to show everyone what he's capable of, pinky violence actress Yayoi Watanabe as his girlfriend who just can't say no to handsome guys, and pinky violence star Miki Sugimoto as Watase's girlfriend, giving a nice emotional performance (her best performance was in the previous year's ATG film Preparation for a Festival).DVDToei’s R2J DVD release is a typical one: good quality transfer, flawless mono audio, no subtitles, and only brief picture gallery and original trailer as supplements. The cover art is near identical to the original theatrical artwork.Watase about to rob a bankHide Murota isn't going to let him get away with the cashMiki Sugimoto putting in a bit of emotion for a changeKawatani found another cop in his girlfriend's bedThe chase is onWatase clearing some obstaclesThe door is gone. Notice how Watase seems to be doing almost all of his driving by himselfYep, Watase is just about to crash through a hutMurota and Kawatani trying to kill each other (both are after Watase)That's one way to get past the policeMore police joining the chaseMore destructionMore destructionHave you guys ever noticed that Watase's car burns in every bloody film he's in (Violent Panic, Lynch Law Classroom, Escape from Reform School...)A cool still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member massa_yoda Posted October 31, 2015 Member Share Posted October 31, 2015 Greatest (one of) car chase of all time?? Big words, man. The comparison to Blues Brothers is intriguing...now I must see this. Challenge accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted November 1, 2015 Author Member Share Posted November 1, 2015 Greatest (one of) car chase of all time?? Big words, man. The comparison to Blues Brothers is intriguing...now I must see this. Challenge accepted. Not THE greatest, but one of the 10 greatest, yes. And probably the most insane of them all. My favourite chase scene of all time is in The Seven Ups, followed by films such as Death Proof, The French Connection, Ronin, Bullit, La Mala Ordina, The Driver, To Live and Die in L.A. and For Your Eyes Only, in roughly that order. Violent Panic would be there somewhere in the second half of the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Takuma Posted November 2, 2015 Author Member Share Posted November 2, 2015 Hairpin Circus (1972)Though not widely known by foreign viewers, Japan also produced a fair share of 1970s car chase movies. Hairpin Circus was Japan's answer to The Vanishing Point (1971), an existential car chase movie about a traumatized former race driver (Kiyoshi Misaki) now working as a driving instructor. The man is trying to live a simple life with his wife and child, but he's constantly harassed by a youth gang lead by a young woman who wants to challenge him to a street race.Realism is certainly one of the film’s assets. The stunts are real, as is most of the 1971 Macau Grand Prix that was written into the storyline as a flashback. The filmmakers were allowed to shoot on location while the actual race took place. This was possible because leading actor Kiyoshi Misaki was a real race driver who took part in the race with his Honda JRM AC-7 (and finished 3rd!). The race sequence in the film is a mix of authentic footage and fictional parts, much like Steve McQueen's Le Mans one year earlier.Those expecting a wild demolition derby will be disappointed, though. Hairpin Circus is more about driving and the philosophical aspect of hunger for speed. There is an almost dream-like atmosphere to many of the scenes. That being said, the film is packed with driving and chase footage, including the 17 minute final street battle between Misaki (in Mazda Savanna RX-3) and his young female challenger (driving Toyota 2000GT). A lot of the scenes were shot on real streets, sometimes in heavy traffic, which would be impossible in Japan nowadays.It helps to understand the era when the film was made. There was the new post war generation of rebellious youngsters that is represented in the film by the youth gang while the main character with his old racing trauma clearly belongs to the pre-war generation. The car industry was also just about to reach its biggest yet boom in Japan. It was soon after the film's release that the oil crisis catalyzed the Japanese automotive industry to a great success as Japanese cars benefitted from lower gas consumption than the American vehicles.In short, if you like H.B. Halicki, you're better off watching Violent Panic: The Big Crash (1976). But if the Vanishing Point is your favourite, give Hairpin Circus a try. It's a small gem.DVDThe R2J dvd by King Records features a solid, interlaced transfer, plus terrific bonus materials. Extras include original trailer (2:29) and interviews by star Kiyoshi Misaki (14:09), producer Ryu Yasutake (20:11), cinematographer Kazutami Hara (16:43) and "car director Yoshio Ootsuba (15:29). Various behind the scenes and promotion stills are seen during the interviews. No subtitles, of course. The package also includes a b&w booklet.DVD menu (one of the coolest still menus I've seen in ages)Kiyoshi Misaki interviewRyu Yasutake interviewKazutami Hara interviewYoshio Ootsuba interviewStills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member MagicDragon Posted November 4, 2015 Member Share Posted November 4, 2015 Had they made these car chase movies today, they would suck as the chase scenes would be rendered by CGI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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