Otoko no monsho (Symbol of a Man) is the first in a series of what would eventually become 11 films in total, made, rather astonishingly, over the course of a mere 4 years. An impressive achievement even for Nikkatsu but it's easy to see the appeal.
Takahashi Hideki stars in the lot of them as Ryuji, the only son of the powerful local yakuza clan leader, only his isn't your typical '60s yakuza clan. Pops is old school and has a strong moral streak and an affinity for the locals, much to the chagrin of the up and coming new school crowd of hoodlums looking to move in on the old man's territory. Ryuji at first tries to leave his father's life behind by becoming a skilled surgeon but is soon forced into deciding whether the yakuza life will be for him as well.
It's an interesting mix set in '30s Japan - pre-World War II but during the invasion of China, which provides some motivation for the family to go straight by helping the war effort. Not quite a samurai film and not quite the traditional '60s yakuza film it does somehow work. Technical efforts are solid for the era although nothing particularly notable cinematically. Director Matsuo Akinori would take on several from the series and he does seem to have the feel for what is expected as well as a willingness for going a different direction. He's no Seijun Suzuki but he gets the job done.
