New Films From The Past: Youth of the Beast

Youth Of The Beast
1963
Dir: Seijun Suzuki
Starring: Jo Shishido, Akiji Kobayashi, and Tamio Kawaji







Seijun Suzuki made three movies a year for The Nikkatsu Company, a B-studio that cheaply produced Yakuza films in the 60's. These cookie-cutter films were used as filler for the second part of a double feature. Seijin made forty gangster films in twelve years for Nikkatsu before he was fired for making Branded To Kill. Nikkatsu didn't like the risk-taking Seijun developed as a filmmaker. His films were visually excessive, nihilistic, and overtly stylized in exchange for story. Branded to Kill failed at the box office, but today is considered by many to be an avant-garde masterpiece. Like the brash gangsters in his films, Seijun's attitude toward the system was subversive. The dynamic of having a rebellious autuer working under a strict studio created a genre never seen before Suzuki's time and rarely accomplished afterwards: the avant-garde gangster film. Youth of the Beast is the earliest example of this genre.

Seijun's black and white films are lit like tough noirs such as The Maltese Falcon and his color films can be as wildly vibrant as The Wizard of Oz. His central characters are often disillusioned cops or gangsters on a mission. His villains are intelligent, flamboyant, and cocky. Seijun’s work has influenced filmmakers like Wong Kar-wai, Quentin Tarantino, and Jim Jarmusch.

Youth of the Beast is viewed as Seijun's breakaway from the conventional Yakuza film. Not quite as abstract as later works, Youth of the Beast is the unique compromise of having both story and Seijun’s visual style. The story follows an ex-cop, Jo, who becomes a thug and pits two rival Yakuza gangs against each other.













"Why make a movie about something one understands completely? I make movies about things I do not understand, but wish to." - Seijun Suzuki

The only thing sharper than the dialogue is the clothing. Every gangster wears a suit, some better than others. There’s an epic gunfight in the end with at least 40-50 gangsters in suits shooting at each other. Seijun’s eye for great visuals make for some unforgettable scenes and moments, like the scene where Jo is first introduced to a gang in a nightclub.

The trailer promises “Every Kind Of Vice." It’s a 4 minute trailer, but I would stop by minute 2 because they show a lot -

If you are in the mood for something artsy, but still masculine and entertaining, Youth of the Beast should not be looked over. It’s a must watch for any Noir or Detective Genre fan.

4/5 – Worth Watching

Watch if you liked: Kill Bill, Dick Tracy, Gangster No. 1, The Maltese Falcon, Fallen Angels