Take Aim at the Police Van (‘Jûsangô taihisen’ yori: Sono gosôsha o nerae)
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
Written by Shin’ichi Sekizawa and Kazuo Shimada
1960/Japan
Nikkatsu
First viewing/FilmStruck
[box] “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” ― George Orwell[/box]
Seijun Suzuki continues to develop his signature style in this crime drama.
A police van is ambushed by thugs and the two prisoners inside are killed. Prison Officer Tamon takes the blame and is put on a six-month suspension. He decides to spend his time off-duty locating the shooters and unraveling the motive for the crime.
Tamon’s investigation takes him deep into a web of vice and corruption. Along the way, he meets up with Yuko, an attractive lady whose allegiances are not entirely clear.
Almost any available still from this film would have made a striking image for the blog. Unfortunately, between yesterday when I watched it and today when I am writing it up, the plot has turned into a big blur. I will have forgotten it completely by tomorrow.
