Suzuki was blacklisted and did not make another feature film for a decade, but became a countercultural icon. In response, Suzuki successfully sued Nikkatsu, and garnered support from student groups, like-minded filmmakers and the general public, causing a major controversy throughout the Japanese film industry. The initial critical and commercial failure of Branded to Kill prompted Nikkatsu to ostensibly fire Suzuki for making 'movies that make no sense and no money'. The brief turnaround Suzuki was given to make Branded to Kill meant that post-production on the film was completed only a day before its pre-scheduled release on June 15, 1967. Suzuki gave the film a satirical, anarchic and visually eclectic bent, which the studio had previously warned him away from. Suzuki came up with many of his ideas for the project the night before or on the set while filming, and welcomed ideas from his colleagues the screenplay is credited to Hachiro Guryu, a writing collective that consisted of Suzuki and seven other writers, including his frequent collaborators Takeo Kimura and Atsushi Yamatoya. Dissatisfied with the original script, the studio called in Suzuki to rewrite and direct the film shortly prior to the start of production.

When the mission fails, he is hunted by the phantom Number One Killer, whose methods threaten his life and sanity.īranded to Kill was designated by its production company and distributor, Nikkatsu, as a low-budget B movie. The story follows contract killer Goro Hanada as he is recruited by a mysterious woman named Misako for a seemingly impossible mission.

Branded to Kill ( Japanese: 殺しの烙印, Hepburn: Koroshi no Rakuin) is a 1967 Japanese yakuza film directed by Seijun Suzuki and starring Joe Shishido, Koji Nanbara, Annu Mari and Mariko Ogawa.

Hitman's Heart by Mink