Black Lizard (1968) User Reviews

Good movie adaptation, with a touch of the bizarre

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 7/10 · 27 December 2015]

Rampo Edogawa is one of the most famous writers of Japan, not winner of any Nobel prize (for that we have the award nominee Yukio Mishima's more than weird cameo in this movie, who also adapts the story) but creator of the most famous Japanese detective, Akechi Kogoro, and father of the ero-grotesque genre in the country.

"Black Lizard" is one in the series of Akechi Kogoro's novels, and the movie has been able to adapt to the screen the spirit of Edogawa's writing. For that, it would be already an interesting movie, as Edogawa had a knack for the grotesque and bizarre, but the movie is interesting for what it is: a mystery, a battle of wits, with a couple of characters who are a lot of fun to be with: Akechi and the Black Lizard.

The story is pretty basic: the criminal "Black Lizard" wants to kidnap a jeweler's daughter, Sanae, and the jeweler contracts Akechi Kogoro to protect her. Cue the Black Lizard trying to kidnap the girl in different and very original ways, and Akechi trying to stop the criminal from doing so.

The atmosphere, dark and decadent, the music, the actors way of playing the characters, the 60s Japan, way different from nowadays... Fukusaku does a great job of bringing Edogawa's world to life. The way Akechi and Black Lizard meet and tease each other continuously (this movie is more in the vein of "Columbo", the detective and the criminal meeting throughout the movie and having very entertaining dialogues)... All makes for a very engrossing environment, and a really entertaining time at the movies. As with almost all of Edogawa's characters, the criminal is the most interesting character, and Akihiro Miwa does a great job of making an ambiguous character we care for. Isao Kimura as Akechi just keeps a stoic countenance, impassive and kind of heartless.

A very good movie, with a very particular atmosphere and scenery.

Bizarre Japanese thriller

[The_Void · 6/10 · 22 July 2008]

This obscure Japanese thriller would seem to have a very good reputation among cult fans; and while I can see the appeal of the film, I do have to say that I'm surprised by all the praise it gets as aside from the odd memorable moment; the film is a mostly flawed piece. Black Lizard is directed by Kinji Fukasaku; the director who would go on to direct the seminal masterpiece Battle Royale in 2000. The film is basically a heist movie; although it often gets labelled as a comedy and that is mainly down to the thick layer of absurd comedy emanating from the central villain; although anyone going into this film expecting to laugh will be disappointed. The central character is named 'Black Lizard' - a thief with a penchant for jewels. She sets her sights on a diamond named "The Star of Egypt" and in order to get to it, kidnaps the owner's daughter and asks for the jewel in ransom. The detective on the case is named Akechi; and after a card game together, the two develop a mutual respect; and Black Lizard falls in love with the detective.

The most bizarre thing about this film is the casting of transvestite Akihiro Miwa in the lead role. Initially, I was sure that the central character was a transvestite; but as the film went on, it seemed to suggest more that the character is actually a woman, although there are some suggestions that maybe that isn't the case. The actor's performance would have been quite good if the character was meant to be a man in fact; but he really doesn't convince as a woman, and while I appreciate the idea of putting him in the lead role; I don't think it was a very good one. The plot has rather a lot to it and moves very quickly considering the running time of the film which is definitely to it's credit; although at times it does move a bit too quickly and the film does not have time to really put forward all of it's ideas. This is mainly at the expense of the characters; as we are not made to care about anyone in the film, which leaves the whole thing feeling a bit cold. There's some good style on display, however, and that's one of the main positives. Overall, this film might be of interest to some but I wasn't very impressed with it!

Lively detective adaptation

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 28 January 2023]

I hadn't seen any of Kinji Fukasaku's work from the 1960s so I thought BLACK LIZARD would be a good place to check it out. It's a lively adaptation of an old detective novel by Edogawa Rampa, although being made in the late '60s it has more than a touch of Bond to it with a super villain, an island lair, and some hotel hijinks. The detective doesn't feature too much here, the brunt of the narrative being given over to the Black Lizard character, a female nightclub owner played by a guy in drag. It's a highly stylised and frankly bizarre little film that labours some of the plotting, but it has some interesting surrealist touches to make it worth a look.

Entertaining...

[carrienations · 6/10 · 22 May 2001]

Black Lizard entertained me, but I can't help but feel that there could have been more. The opening scene in the go-go club had me hooked right away, but as the film progressed, it seemed to lose its edge. The subtle humor was still there, but it became too straight-laced for its own good. The plot is tedious past the halfway point, and the wildness subsides, save for the 'human statues' that Black Lizard reveals at the end. For a film that was _screaming_ for beautiful women to be on display, I think it was a misstep to cast a transvestite in the lead role. Funny for a few minutes, but I tired of the novelty after a while and wished that a femme fatale had been cast in the part. I found a similar film from the same time period, Black Tight Killers, to be more entertaining and more fulfilling.

Uniquely made and never boring

[jordondave-28085 · 7/10 · 16 May 2023]

(1968) Black Lizard/ Kurotokage (In Japanese with English subtitles) ART HOUSE THRILLER

Based on a novel written by Rampo Edogawa, centering on an attractive female professional jewel thief played by Akihiro Miwa or Akihiro Maruyama as the "Black Lizard"-hence the title, and Japans finest detective, Akechi played by Isao Kimura attempting to outwit one another, as they are competing for the "Star of Egypt". There's plenty of Jazz scores and additional to some dance numbers- this is a throwback to the old pop culture stylistically made with colors in the Andy Warhol mode. It is never boring and is uniquely made.

Surreal, Sophisticated, Savvy and Slick! This is NOT Godzilla!

[manpower57 · 10/10 · 9 August 2000]

Kenji Fukasaku's BLACK LIZARD (1958) was released in the US by CINEVISTA in the early 90's. The movie received a focused and limited release in the US, but its existence in video has developed a cult following that has gained momentum as the years has passed. With the totally bizarre appearances of then-Japan's most famous Kabuki theater transvestite Akihiro Murayama as the title role Black Lizard, Yukio Mishima's cameo as a "statue" or maybe even as an eerie stuffed human figure; a screen play by Mishima based on a story of one of Japan's most famous horror writers, Rampo Edogawa, and even music by electronic "planet music" guru Isao Tomita, this movie reads as a who's who in the arts and literature in Japan in the 60's. But many movies in the past created by geniuses have failed in delivering an intellectual as well as a cinematic punch. This is NOT the case with "Black Lizard". From the psychedelic settings, the poetic dialogue and tragicomic developments, the movie succeeds both as high-art "manga" as well as a well-thought piece of "agit-prop". Few movies deliver so much substance hidden under so much flash; it is one experience that has to be felt viscerally as well as intellectually. Unfortunately, the VHS version is out of print, and I do not know of any plans for a DVD release as of this writing. We wait anxiously until someone revives this totally bizarre and wonderful piece of art and it is released in DVD format for a new generation of anime-educated viewers.

So much, much more than a black snake with legs!!!

[mrpentax · 10/10 · 25 June 1999]

The most purely entertaining and amusing film I have seen in a long time. The dialogue between the two antithetically engaged principal characters reflects their exactly opposite ethics, and at the same time, their clearest view of each others thinking. Their well matched genius creates plot, foil, and counter-foil, throughout the film. I almost never watch a film twice. This one, I can't wait to see again.

Why such a high rating???

[telematic · 5/10 · 6 April 2005]

I watched this movie yesterday after seeing all the great comments from everyone and the high rating, but I must say I was very disappointed. It is not a comedy, it has some funny scenes but it's not a funny movie, the transvestite actor had very little woman skills looking more like a drag-queen, it could have been a lot more specially since it was directed by one of the masters but it failed to deliver. The story had flaws and the only humour in the movie was due to the fact that the characters were stupid. I think this movie should have been a Japanese pink-panther kind of movie.

This is the first Kinji movie that I watch and would not recommend. I'll give it 5/10. (not bad but not worth the time if you have other options)

Black Lizard rocks!

[nowshowingtv · 10/10 · 23 December 2006]

I was fortunate enough to see "Black Lizard" at our local art cinema upon its very special U.S. release way back when and have searched high and low for the film on VHS, laserdisc and DVD ever since. The film is amazing, and I'm surprised it hasn't received that much attention amongst film buffs. Those of us who have seen it know what a wonderful film this is and I suggest that anyone who wants to see it again, at least on home video, should go to the logical source for a film like this - The Criterion Collection. Send them messages through their site telling them how special and important this film is and maybe, just maybe, they'll do something about it! I've already sent my request, so give it a shot. The more people request it, the better chance we have of seeing it get a DVD release! Long live "Black Lizard"!

The worst Fukasaku movie I've seen

[amnesie · 3/10 · 29 March 2007]

I just don't get the positive comments this film gets. I've seen about a dozen Fukasaku Kinji movies, and this by far is the worst in the bunch. I was really looking forward to watching this, as I really enjoyed other films from this director, but this one sadly is a big disappointment.

The plot is so incredibly predictable it's almost laughable, and I have no sympathy whatsoever for the main characters, especially the "black lizard" which is one of the worst villains I've seen in a film so far. She's such a cliché she could easily star in an Austin Powers film! Also, the dialogs between the main detective and the "evil-rich-megalomaniac" Black Lizard, which some people seem to appreciate (judging from other reviews on this site), to me sounds empty and lifeless. To sum up: no action, incredibly predictable story, boring dialog, and not enough 60s kitsch to make us forget how bad the whole thing is...

If you want to see great Fukasaku films, watch the Yakuza Papers instead!

A Lost Gem

[MiloMindbender · 10/10 · 23 September 2001]

This movie from the king of yakuza (gang) films is a big departure from his other films. This movie is the penultimate camp/action film. Anyone who has been taken in with the martial arts films (esp. from Hong Kong) of late, should check this out. It's less focused on the action sequences than it is in developing a verbal tit-for-tat sparring between the villain & the policeman who is pursuing her (w/ whom she is also secretly in love). Having a villain who is a lovelorn but vengeful drama queen is a refreshing break from the usual Asian action fare (1970's - present) & demonstrates that despite better technical skill & more special effects, the art of cinema hasn't necessarily improved because of mastering new technology. I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard in a movie. Seek this one out.