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For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Wandering Ginza Butterfly (1972)
First off I think it’s important to acknowledge the great work of the people at Synapse Films for this release. After the Panik House DVD label went under, the people at Synapse came in to save some of their planned releases, which this one falls in the category of. Considering how many fans that their films have, it’s a good idea for Synapse and it’s great for the fans of the genre. So kudos on them for releasing the great films they do. Enough schmoozing the company and onto the film itself. “Wandering Ginza Butterfly” is almost the mark of the beginning of an era in these types of films as far as actress Meiko Kaji goes. She is probably most well known for her appearance in the “Female Prisoner Scorpion” series and that all came after she was working for Toei studios.
“Wandering Ginza Butterfly” is the story of Nami (Meiko Kaji) who we first see as a member of a women’s prison. Upon her release she returns to Tokyo to live with her Uncle who owns a pool hall. After returning home she meets Ryuji a pimp in the local Ginza area where she starts working as a hostess at an up scale club. But once Yakuza start to overtake the club she is forced to defend herself and her co-workers against their threats and bring revenge for what has been done to her as well.
Considering I was confused upon hearing about the movie I’ve come to find out that this one is NOT a Pinky Violence film as there is very little in the movie as far as exploitive sex and violence goes. It’s more of a traditional film that wouldn’t have been that great hadn’t it been for star Meiko Kaji. Kaji has a great screen presence and it really shows in this one. She’s the main reason to watch this one especially if you’ve only seen her later work. She’s a very solid actress and does a wonderful job here. Also the colorful cast of characters keeps this interesting as well as several well done subplots that are thrown in along the way.
Just so you know what to expect with this one, don’t think you’re getting 86 minutes of swordplay and action, because that’s not what the film is. In all actuality there aren’t any fight scenes at all until the final climax of the film. Now I know that sounds like this one is very disappointing then but it’s really not. What you have is a solid dramatic film that doesn’t really go the way of violence unless it’s instrumental to the story. No violence for the sake of violence in this one. Considering how many of these films that are already like that, this one manages to come off as pretty original considering the way it handles it’s own subject matter (lots of prostitutes and mobsters in this one).
The new Synapse DVD comes chalk full of special features that fans will be thrilled with as well. First off the movie looks beautiful with it’s brand new fully restored transfer from the elements in Toei’s vault. There is a Japanese language track if you can speak it, audio commentary from Japanese film expert Chris D., almost a 40 minute interview with director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi, original Japanese trailer for the film as well as its sequel, a Meiko Kaji poster gallery and biography as well as reversible cover art from the original Japanese poster artwork!
Overall I would say that “Wandering Ginza Butterfly” is a rock solid film that fans should want to check out. Although I can sense that there will be disappointment from people expecting a different kind of film, I still think people will appreciate it for what it attempts to do instead of following more of the same. All I know is that I really enjoyed it and I’m even more excited for the sequel! RECOMMENDED.
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
