Product Details

• Actors: Kengakusha Akiyama, Ritsuko Amano, Makoto Ashikawa, Kenichi Endo, Zhao Fanghao
• Format: Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Fox Lorber
• DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000JS6H
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,118 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Violent Cop" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Japanese superstar "Beat" Takeshi Kitano was best known as a comedian and talk-show host when he was cast as brutal police detective Azuma in Violent Cop, but the career-changing twist occurred when the original director dropped out and Kitano took the helm. Half a dozen pictures later, Kitano has carved out one of the most idiosyncratic careers in Japanese cinema, and it all springs from this edgy, explosive crime classic. Azuma is a cop who plays by his own rules: He batters suspects, beats confessions from criminals, and plants evidence. He's a vigilante force the department quietly supports as long as he gets results, but when a volatile drug case results in the death of a colleague, the hair-trigger cop goes rogue as he matches wits with an equally impulsive assassin. Kitano's big teddy bear eyes and soft features maintain a calm, almost bemused expression even in his most violent moments: a Zen "Dirty" Harry with a deadpan sense of humor. For a first-time director, Kitano displays astonishing cinematic control, creating a style of long takes and serene tranquility shattered by startling explosions of gunfire and abrupt blows. It's a violent world in which adolescents attack beggars and grade-school kids pelt bystanders with garbage and insults, but Kitano also shows a tender, caring side ultimately swallowed by the unleashed anger. Ironic, grim, and focused to a mesmerizing intensity, Violent Cop is one of the great Japanese crime films and a brilliant debut. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grittier Than Some, More Contemplative Than Most, December 25, 2004

By	Miguel B. Llora (Bay Point, California USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Violent Cop (DVD)

Perhaps not the best of Takeshi Kitano's movies (I have to admit to preference for Hana-Bi on many levels) but this is by far the grittiest of Takeshi's work. In his directorial debut, famous Japanese television comedian Takeshi Kitano (more commonly known as `Beat' Takeshi) plays Azuma, a brutal but honorable cop who runs out of patience - a Dirty Harry of sorts. Azuma's stifling daily routine necessitates him dealing with - among other things - a naive new partner as well as taking care of, mentally challenged sister. Azuma reaches his breaking point when a fellow cop is killed and drug dealers take prisoner his sister. It is time to take matters in his own hands and Azuma begins taking a different approach - vengeful course that crescendo in a shocking finale. AS mentioned previously, Violent Cop is a startling first feature from Kitano, who replaced director Kinji Fukasaku. First and foremost a television comedian, Kitano allegedly reworked the script to better suit his dark mis-en-scene visualization of the film. This turn of events serves an absorbing introduction to his one of its kind directorial style. Kitano intermixes scenes of intense violence with beautifully contemplative shots - as is evidenced in Hana-Bi aka Fireworks and Boiling Point (both also available on Amazon.com). Notches above in the yakuza genre by adding a contemplative twist, Kitano's films are signposts in 20th century Japanese cinema.

Miguel Llora

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a word? Fantastic., January 8, 2000

By	Steve (Ireland) - See all my reviews

Few have sampled the delights of Kitano's films, but for those of you who have, there is no need to continue reading this review. However, if your new to Kitano's films, or Japanese films in general then all I can say is, buy this without hesitation. Often gruelling, but most definitely engrossing, Violent Cop follows the story of a cop, played by Kitano, who is prone to bouts of severe violence against those who he despises in society. The fact that he works as a cop allows him to meet many of these sorts of people and he never hesitates to start kicking, and perhaps, ask a few questions later. His violent temper does not remain in hiding for the criminals of Japan, but is also unleashed against a man that has a one night stand with his sister. As the film progresses, Kitano'character, Azuma, discovers some shady goings on within the police force which cause grief extremely close to home. Now, if you are not a fan of violent films then I suggest you do not purchase this title as it contains shocking scenes that remain with you well after the film has finished. If you are willing to take the plunge then you will be rewarded with film making at its very best. Kitano's films are subdued to a point that may annoy the more impatient among us, infact alot of people have labeled Kitano's films Art House, which I would disagree with. This film, and all his others, deserve much greater recognition and respect. Do yourself a favour and buy this now. End of Days fans need not apply.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the 10 best of Modern Japanese Film, June 24, 2000

By	matthew eric henkel (pittsburgh, pa United States) - See all my reviews

Darkly humourous, Violent Cop (Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki) is the story of an abusive detective named Azuma, as he goes head to head with a rogue member of a tokyo organized crime family. Not for the faint hearted, Violent Cop, is not a hollywood type story, it is depressing and deeply symbolic - very japanese/eurpoean in the flavour of its pathos. Highly recommended for those who appreciate good film.