Wicked Priest (Gokuaku bôzu) 5 Film Collection | Region-Free (Blu-Ray)

Sourced from DVDs, we’ve meticulously corrected and reformatted all the films to a proper 16×9 aspect ratio (the original DVDs, while decent in quality, suffered from odd stretching). Each film has been expertly upscaled to stunning 1080p, complete with accurate English subtitles for the best viewing experience.

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Title: Wicked Priest (1968)

Alternate Title: Gokuaku bôzu

Genre: Crime, Drama, Action

Plot Synopsis:
Set during Japan’s Taisho period (early 1920s), the film follows Shinkai, a Buddhist monk known for his unorthodox behavior, including gambling and womanizing. After intervening in a conflict between a rival priest and local ruffians, Shinkai is expelled from his monastery. Embracing his “wicked” reputation, he becomes a wandering “karate priest,” using his martial arts skills to protect the oppressed and confront corruption, all while navigating his own moral complexities.

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Cast and Crew:

• Director: Kiyoshi Saeki
• Writers:
  • Akira Murao
  • Hideaki Yamamoto
• Cast:
  • Tomisaburô Wakayama as Shinkai
  • Bunta Sugawara
  • Kenjirô Ishiyama
  • Hôsei Komatsu
  • Masumi Tachibana

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IMDb Link:
Wicked Priest (1968)

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. ChungMo – ★★★☆☆
   “Actor Tomisaburô Wakayama is the older brother of Shintarô Katsu, whose fame rests on the character of Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. Wakayama’s portrayal of Shinkai shares similarities with Zatoichi, including his look and the general tone of the film.”
2. loiclech – ★★★★☆
   “It is a wonderful movie with the genius actor Tomisaburô Wakayama. Wakayama is extraordinary, and the story of the film is very good with much emotion.”
3. ajji-2 – ★★★★☆
   “An engrossing film that manages to pack in 3 hours of plot into 85 minutes without ever seeming rushed or unfocused. The plot and performances are so good, they almost make you forget that the film features no swordplay or gunfights.”

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Meta Description:
Wicked Priest (1968), also known as Gokuaku bôzu, is a Japanese crime drama directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. The film stars Tomisaburô Wakayama as Shinkai, a renegade Buddhist monk who defies religious conventions by engaging in gambling and womanizing. After being expelled from his monastery, he becomes a wandering “karate priest,” using his martial arts prowess to defend the oppressed and challenge corruption during Japan’s Taisho period.

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Title: Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder (1968)

Alternate Title: Gokuaku bōzu: Hitokiri kazoe uta

Genre: Action, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
In the second installment of the Wicked Priest series, Shinkai, a rogue Buddhist priest known for his vices and martial prowess, is entrusted by a fugitive to deliver his young son to the child’s grandfather, a jujitsu dojo master during Japan’s Taisho period. Along the way, Shinkai confronts a gangster group employing coercive tactics to monopolize local gambling operations. When Shinkai becomes an obstacle, the gang enlists Ryotatsu, a karate priest whom Shinkai had previously blinded, to exact revenge.

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Cast and Crew:

• Director: Takashi Harada
• Screenwriters:
  • Eimei Yamamoto
  • Akira Murao
• Cast:
  • Tomisaburō Wakayama as Shinkai
  • Bunta Sugawara as Ryotatsu
  • Asao Koike
  • Eitarō Ozawa
  • Masumi Tachibana

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IMDb Link:
Wicked Priest 2

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. BrianNaas – ★★★★☆
   “In this second film of the series, Shinkai continues his indulgent ways—pursuing women, gambling, and drinking—while dispensing his own form of justice. The narrative is somewhat episodic, but it’s executed well and culminates in a compelling finale.”
2. Bsmith8168 – ★★★½☆
   “The sequel begins with a humorous scene that sets the tone for Shinkai’s character. His interactions, especially with a virgin nun, add depth to his complex persona. The film balances action and character development effectively.”

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Meta Description:
Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder (1968), also known as Gokuaku bōzu: Hitokiri kazoe uta, is a Japanese action-drama directed by Takashi Harada. The film follows Shinkai, a wayward priest, as he navigates moral dilemmas and confronts past adversaries while fulfilling a promise to a fugitive.

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Title: Wicked Priest 3: A Killer’s Pilgrimage (1969)

Alternate Title: Gokuaku Bōzu: Nenbutsu Hitokiri Tabi

Genre: Crime

Plot Synopsis:
Shinkai, a rogue Buddhist priest known for his martial prowess and moral ambiguity, arrives in a coastal village terrorized by political revolutionaries. As he confronts these oppressors, Shinkai navigates personal vendettas and exposes fraudulent religious practices, all while indulging in his hedonistic tendencies. His journey is marked by intense combat and complex relationships, culminating in a dramatic beachside showdown at sunrise.

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Cast and Crew:

• Director: Takashi Harada
• Writers:
  • Akira Murao
  • Eimei Yamamoto
• Cast:
  • Tomisaburō Wakayama as Shinkai
  • Minoru Ōki
  • Hiroko Sakuramachi
  • Miko Mayama
  • Bunta Sugawara

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IMDb Link:
Wicked Priest 3: A Killer’s Pilgrimage (1969)

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Nathan Stuart – ★★★½
   “Shinkai returns and this time around his travels take him to a fishing village under siege by dynamite-loving pirates. Along the way he seduces women (‘let’s play the octopus sucking game’), exposes fake religions, and destroys more eyeballs while also dealing with the repercussions of a man he killed previously. Not as confidently shot or as action-heavy as the second film, but Tomisaburō Wakayama’s spirited performance still makes it essential viewing. Not quite as good overall as the second but still way better than the first film; this is a solid series so far.”
2. Bob McQueen – ★★★½
   “Picking up 3 years after the second movie, Shinkai is back; this time he’s chilling out in a nice seaside village that just so happens to be the chosen spot for some revolutionary pirates doubling as dynamite junkies. It was a bit of a step down from the previous two, especially the second one, but Wakayama-san knocks it outta the park as he rescues the lady and saves the day. Slightly more nihilistic and the Bunta (Ryotatsu) spot felt really tacked on. The way it ends felt like it could be the last, except, two more movies. Hell yeah!!!”

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Meta Description:
Wicked Priest 3: A Killer’s Pilgrimage (1969), also known as Gokuaku Bōzu: Nenbutsu Hitokiri Tabi, is a Japanese crime film directed by Takashi Harada. The story follows Shinkai, a renegade priest portrayed by Tomisaburō Wakayama, as he aids a coastal village besieged by political revolutionaries. The film delves into themes of corruption, redemption, and the complexities of human nature, featuring intense action sequences and a compelling narrative.

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Title: Wicked Priest 4: Killer Priest Comes Back (1970)

Alternate Title: Gokuaku bôzu: Nenbutsu sandangiri

Genre: Crime, Action, Drama

Plot Synopsis:
Set during Japan’s Meiji Period, the carrying of swords has been outlawed. Shinkai, known as the “Killer Priest,” disguises his sword as a priest’s staff. Returning to his hometown of Nogata in Kyushu, Shinkai confronts two rival yakuza gangs exploiting local river workers. Amidst the turmoil, he encounters a “Wicked Nun” and faces his old adversary, Ryotatsu, leading to a climactic showdown.

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Cast and Crew:

• Director: Takashi Harada
• Writers:
  • Akira Murao
  • Kôji Takada
• Cast:
  • Tomisaburô Wakayama as Shinkai
  • Bunta Sugawara
  • Ichirô Nakatani
  • Yuki Jôno
  • Tatsuo Endô

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IMDb Link:
Wicked Priest 4: Killer Priest Comes Back (1970)

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Bob McQueen – ★★★½
   “This one was more of a full-circle story, which I enjoyed. Shinkai goes back to his home village to give his mom a proper memorial, only to find out his childhood friend is a no-good yakuza who is threatening to take over the town. The moral complexity of Shinkai’s character shines here, and the final battle in the snow is unforgettable.”
2. Bruce Rogers – ★★★★☆
   “This is my favorite so far (snow goes a long way for me), but it definitely has one element or plot thread too many. That said, Shinkai’s journey is as compelling as ever, and the cinematography really makes this one stand out from the rest of the series.”
3. Nathan Stuart – ★★☆☆☆
   “Not quite sure why this is considered one of the strongest in the series. I found it one of the weakest. While the final showdown was decent, the plot felt meandering, and the characters didn’t feel as fleshed out as in previous entries.”

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Meta Description:
Wicked Priest 4: Killer Priest Comes Back (1970), also known as Gokuaku bôzu: Nenbutsu sandangiri, is a Japanese crime drama directed by Takashi Harada. The film follows Shinkai, the “Killer Priest,” as he returns to his hometown to confront yakuza gangs exploiting local workers, leading to a climactic encounter with his old adversary, Ryotatsu.

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Title: Wicked Priest 5: Breaking the Commandments (1971)

Alternate Title: Gokuaku bōzu: Nomu utsu kau

Genre: Crime, Action

Plot Synopsis:
Set during Japan’s Meiji era, the film follows Shinkai, known as the “Killer Priest,” as he aids a village headman combating systemic corruption. Before he can assist the townspeople, Shinkai must confront his nemesis, Whipmaster—a blind priest and master killer seeking revenge.

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Cast and Crew:

• Director: Buichi Saitō
• Screenwriters:
  • Tatsuo Honda
  • Seiko Shimura
• Cast:
  • Tomisaburō Wakayama as Shinkai
  • Bunta Sugawara
  • Takashi Shimura
  • Tōru Abe
  • Kyōsuke Machida

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IMDb Link:
Wicked Priest 5: Breaking the Commandments (1971)

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Bob McQueen – ★★★☆☆
   “It’s a decent watch and end to the series. Overall the series is formulaic and predictable, each movie following the same pattern.”
2. Nathan Stuart – ★★★☆☆
   “The fifth and final film in the Wicked Priest series. This one is a bit more serious than the previous entries, with less of the comedic elements.”
3. Bsmith8168 – ★★★☆☆
   “The action scenes are good overall and the story is decent. The great Takashi Shimura plays the old man. Better than average for the series.”

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Meta Description:
Wicked Priest 5: Breaking the Commandments (1971), also known as Gokuaku bōzu: Nomu utsu kau, is a Japanese crime-action film directed by Buichi Saitō. The narrative centers on Shinkai, the “Killer Priest,” as he confronts corruption and faces his vengeful nemesis, Whipmaster, during the Meiji era. The film features performances by Tomisaburō Wakayama and Bunta Sugawara.