Beast Alley (1965) Kemonomichi | Region-Free (DVD)

Title: Beast Alley (1965)

Alternate Title: Kemonomichi

Genre: Drama

Plot Synopsis:
Tamiko Narisawa, working as a chambermaid to support her bedridden husband, meets a man who promises her happiness and financial security. She accepts his offer and soon finds herself a s&xual toy passed from hand to hand. Driven to the point of burning down her own home to murder her husband, Tamiko comes to realize her new way of life is one of degradation from which she—and her male associates—cannot escape.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Eizô Sugawa
• Writers:
  • Seichô Matsumoto (novel)
  • Yoshio Shirasaka (screenplay)
  • Eizô Sugawa (screenplay)
• Cast:
  • Junko Ikeuchi as Tamiko Narisawa
  • Keiju Kobayashi as Detective Hisatsune
  • Eitarô Ozawa as Kôta Kitô
  • Ryô Ikebe as Shôjirô Kotaki
  • Yoshio Tsuchiya as Katsuragi

YouTube Trailer:
Beast Alley | Trailer

IMDb Link:
Beast Alley (1965)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. The Beast Shall Die – ★★★★★
   “Junko Ikeuchi (TORA-SAN’S LOVE CALL) plays a bewitching woman who escapes an oppressive life to become the hired mistress to an elderly, infirmed man who is a secret political puppet master, with pull not just in politics, but in the criminal underworld, the police force, and the media.”
2. ShaolinWolf – ★★★★☆
   “This film has a definite film noir vibe, with most scenes unfolding at night and dealing with the underbelly of society. The protagonist’s descent into moral ambiguity is both compelling and tragic.”
3. Kinugasa – ★★★★½
   “A gripping tale of corruption and the loss of innocence. The performances are top-notch, and the direction keeps you engaged throughout its lengthy runtime.”

Meta Description:
“Beast Alley” (1965), also known as “Kemonomichi,” is a Japanese drama directed by Eizô Sugawa. The film follows Tamiko Narisawa’s descent into a life of moral degradation as she becomes entangled with powerful men in society’s underbelly.