Seeing 'Branded to Kill' in 4K in Ikebukuro!

Branded to Kill (1967) at the Shin Bungeiza. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, November 5, my friend Jacob and I attended a screening of Nikkatsu's Branded to Kill (1967), Seijun Suzuki's stylish crime thriller at Ikebukuro's Shin Bungeiza theater. The film was represented in a 4K remaster that looked absolutely perfect on the big screen. 

Branded to Kill at the Shin Bungeiza. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I first saw the movie circa 2013 on DVD. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed with the movie at the time. I could recognize the talent and hard work that went into it, but I felt the story itself was rather boring. The story simply couldn't hook me. 

Actress Anne Mari. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Unfortunately, I had the same reaction this time. The visuals were excellent, but the story was lacking. It just never grabbed me, and by the end I was getting a bit bored. I wish I could love it like most other film fans do, but I don't. I find it a rather tiresome exercise in style over substance.

Actress Anne Mari. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The highlight, however, was the Q&A with actress Anne Mari after the screening. She couldn't always answer the interviewer's questions -- admitting multiple times that she just couldn't remember what happened in those particular instances -- but she was in great spirits and was a joy to see. When the audience was taking photos, my friend Jacob waved to her, which caused her to notice us. She asked us from the stage if we could understand Japanese, to which I gave her a thumbs up or an OK gesture (can't remember which) to tell her we were fine. 

I'd met Anne Mari at two previous events, so this was my first time to see her in person since late 2017. I wish I could have had the chance to speak with her personally, but you can't win them all. It was lovely just to see her again.

An Evening with Actress Anne Mari

Anne Mari. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I just returned from a special event with actress Anne Mari, the focus of which was her work in Nikkatsu's erotic thriller Zankoku onna joshi (1970). 

Mari-san appears in episode 32 of Ultraman (1966-67), episode 34 of Ultra Seven (1967-68), episodes 11 and 12 of Mighty Jack (1968), and episodes 16 and 17 of Kamen Rider (1971-73). However, in the West, her biggest credit is her starring role in Seijun Suzuki's Branded to Kill (1967). She can also be seen in The Killing Bottle (1967).

About The Killing Bottle, Mari-san said that director Senkichi Taniguchi was a nice person but a strict director. It was a lot of fun spending the evening with Mari-san, who is very friendly and open-minded. I certainly hope to have the chance to meet her again soon.

A WILD DAY FOR WILD 7! Actors from Wild 7 and Strada 5 Join Forces in Tokyo!

Shinya Ono, Yusuke Koike, Anne Mari, and Tatsuhito Go share the stage at Nakano Sun Plaza. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

I enjoyed attending a special Showa Hero event on the 15th floor of Nakano Sun Plaza. The event reunited cast members from the action series Wild 7 (1972-73) and Strada 5 (1974).

Anne Mari poses for photos. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Shinya Ono was a regular on both series. Tatsuhito Go was a regular on Strada 5 and appeared in episodes of the series Jekyll and Hyde (1973) and Zone Fighter (1973) and is credited with appearing in Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971). Yusuke Koike regularly appeared on Wild 7, among many other movie and TV roles.

 Meeting Tatsuhito Go.

The guest I was most interested in meeting, however, was Anne Mari. Anne Mari inspired the naming of Yuriko Hishimi's character in Ultra Seven "Anne Yuri." She appears in the Toho caper The Killing Bottle (1967) with Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno, and a bevy of other Toho stars. She acted in several notable Nikkatsu films, particularly the international cult flick Branded to Kill (1967).

With Shinya Ono. 

In Japan, Anne Mari is best remembered for her guest appearances in Ultraman (1966-67) and Ultra Seven (1967-68). She can also be spotted in Mighty Jack (1968), Kamen Rider (1971-73), and Unbalance (1973). In addition to all that, she was a regular on Wild 7.

Meeting Anne Mari, an actress familiar to Toho, Tsuburaya, and Nikkatsu fans. 

All the guests were wonderful and very friendly. Anne Mari signed a couple of Ultra-books I brought. I told her I enjoyed The Killing Bottle, which prompted her to shake my hand and talk a bit about her role.

With Yusuke Koike.

Ms. Kojima produced another great event, and I cannot wait for the next one. I always enjoy meeting movie actors and actresses whenever I have the chance. Many thanks to everyone involved!