Question 1

Which famous director wanted to direct The Yakuza but was passed over?

Accepted Answer

Martin Scorsese wanted to direct after Mean Streets (1973), but producers chose Sydney Pollack instead. Scorsese was disappointed but went on to direct Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974).

Question 2

How did director Sydney Pollack communicate with his Japanese cinematographer despite their language barrier?

Accepted Answer

Pollack spoke no Japanese and cinematographer Kôzô Okazaki spoke no English. They used a gray-scale card with ten stages from white to black to communicate light density in shots.

Question 3

What was unusual about Paul Schrader's deal for writing The Yakuza?

Accepted Answer

Paul Schrader and his brother Leonard sold the story idea to Warner Brothers for $300,000 plus 30% of net profit for his original screenplay, an unheard-of sum at the time.

Question 4

Which actors were considered for the lead role before Robert Mitchum was cast?

Accepted Answer

Lee Marvin was originally set to star with Robert Aldrich directing. Warner Brothers wanted Charles Bronson, and William Holden was also considered. Pollack briefly considered Robert Redford too.

Question 5

What festival screened The Yakuza in 1991?

Accepted Answer

The film was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1991.

The Yakuza

Customers also watched

Loved this film?

Share with others