The Yakuza

The Yakuza, in the US on YouTube TV and TCM, builds its case slowly and never cheats the reveal. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Robert Mitchum's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on YouTube TV.

The Yakuza is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting gives The Yakuza its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. When George Tanner does business with high-ranking Yakuza Tono, Tono kidnaps his daughter, and George summons his old friend, private eye Harry Kilmer, to Japan to investigate. Credit to Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. The Yakuza came out in 1974. The plot mechanics of The Yakuza never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find The Yakuza proves them wrong. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Watch Robert Mitchum work — it is a masterclass in the genre. Few crime dramas earn their twists this consistently.

The Yakuza was released in 1974, directed by Sydney Pollack. The full 112-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.