Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison I–III Blu-ray collects the first three films in Teruo Ishii’s landmark yakuza series, newly restored and presented for the first time on Blu-ray by the Masters of Cinema series. Starring genre titan Ken Takakura, these early entries established the tone, style and themes that would define one of Japan’s most prolific crime franchises.
 
In the original Abashiri Prison, Takakura plays Shinichi Tachibana, a yakuza serving time who becomes entangled in an escape attempt while chained to the volatile Gonzo Gonda. The sequel, Another Abashiri Prison Story, follows Tachibana after his release, as he stumbles upon stolen diamonds and attracts violent attention from crooks and police. The third film, Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness, reunites Tachibana with former associates striving to leave their criminal pasts behind — until old vendettas force them back into conflict.
 
These early films laid the foundation for more than a dozen sequels and reboots starring Takakura across the late 1960s and early 1970s. With new restorations supplied by Toei and extensive bonus features, this release offers the definitive introduction to one of Japan’s most important yakuza series.
 
directed by: Teruo Ishii
starring: Ken Takakura, Kōji Nanbara, Tōru Abe, Tetsurō Tanba, Hideo Murota
1965–1965 / 3 films / Japanese LPCM mono / Optional English subtitles