Underworld Beauty
Director: Seijun Suzuki
Actors: Michitarô Mizushima, Mari Shiraki, Shinsuke Ashida
PlotA hardened ex-convict is released from prison and immediately seeks out his former partners in crime, intent on retrieving a cache of stolen diamonds he helped steal before his incarceration. The gems were hidden away in a factory owned by the family of his old associate, now plagued by guilt and plagued by fear of retribution. Tempted by the promise of quick wealth, various players vying for the loot become embroiled in mounting tension and suspicion, as the ex-con negotiates with both criminal and civilian factions connected to the dangerous inheritance. At the center of this chaos is a woman with a troubled past and ties to both the criminals and the factory, balancing her loyalty to her family with her desire for escape.
As night settles in, alliances form and dissolve rapidly amid shadowy corridors and rain-soaked streets. The lure of the diamonds draws ruthless gangsters and desperate characters together, escalating confrontations into violence and betrayal. The struggle for possession of the loot lays bare each character’s weaknesses while threatening to destroy their lives and relationships. With danger closing in and trust vanishing fast, the pursuit of redemption, wealth, and survival becomes inseparably twisted, setting the stage for a final confrontation where decisions must be made—and loyalties tested—in the oppressive gloom of Tokyo’s criminal underworld.
Writers: Susumu Saji
Release Date: 25 Mar 1958
Runtime: 87 min
Rating: N/A
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Physical Media Reviews
Solid technical merits and a clean transfer highlight this standout release, essential for fans of early Suzuki and classic Japanese noir.