American Yakuza (1993): Cast & Plot
American Yakuza is a 1993 action thriller directed by Frank A. Cappello, starring Viggo Mortensen as Nick Davis / David Brandt, John Fujioka and Michael Nouri. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Frank A. Cappello
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First Look International
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is American Yakuza About?
The premise of American Yakuza without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After serving a year in solitary, Nick Davis takes a forklift job at a harbor warehouse run by Yakuza patriarch Isshin Tendo. When the Italian Mafia, led by Dino Campanela, attacks, Nick saves Shuji Sawamoto, the Yakuza’s American liaison. Shuji inducts Nick into the clan, but Nick is actually an FBI undercover agent. As the FBI aborts a plan to let the Mafia strike the Yakuza, Nick’s ties to Shuji and his god‑daughter Yuko compel him to protect his new Japanese family.
American Yakuza Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- murder
- showdown
- hero
- fbi federal bureau of investigation
- cabal
- american
- agent
- yakuza
- mafia
- forklift
- undercover agent
- fast draw
+38 more Show fewer
- knife
- honor
- warrior
- mexican standoff
- kung fu
- fight
- disarming someone
- gore
- brutality
- brunette
- female topless nudity
- kissing while having sex
- kiss
- interracial romance
- tough guy
- fistfight
- brawl
- organized crime
- pump action shotgun
- shotgun
- ak 47
- uzi
- glock
- beretta
- semiautomatic pistol
- pistol
- gun fu
- gunfight
- shootout
- martial arts
- violence
- hand to hand combat
- samurai sword
- sword
- sword fight
- dark hero
- action hero
- tragic hero
American Yakuza Cast & Characters
Viggo Mortensen leads the cast as Nick Davis / David Brandt, with John Fujioka as Isshin Tendo and Michael Nouri as Dino Campanela. Directed by Frank A. Cappello; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Frank A. Cappello
-
Viggo Mortensen as Nick Davis / David Brandt - John Fujioka as Isshin Tendo
- Michael Nouri as Dino Campanela
- Ryo Ishibashi as Shuji Sawamoto
Also Starring in American Yakuza
· 11 more- Anzu Lawson Yuko
- Fritz Mashimo Okazaki
- Yuji Okumoto Kazuo
- Franklyn Ajaye Sam
- Robert Forster Littman
- Saiko Isshiki Aya
- Nicky Katt Vic
- Jimmy Taenaka Taka
- John Hammil Agent #2
- Rosine 'Ace' Hatem Agent #1
- Jeff Bankert Medical Student
American Yakuza Plot Summary
What happens in American Yakuza from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
American FBI agent David Brandt is working undercover under the identity of Nick Davis, a former convict who died in solitary confinement, at a warehouse in Los Angeles that the Tendo crime family owns in order to infiltrate their operations. After Brandt saves the life of one of the family’s leaders, Shuji Sawamoto, Sawamoto welcomes him into the organization. As part of his introduction, Sawamoto escorts Brandt to witness the execution of Okazaki, an alleged traitor, who is killed by a woodchipper but the strike ends only at the last moment; once Sawamoto and Brandt depart, the remaining Yakuza finish the job with a shot from one of their own. This brutal opening sets the tone for a fragile alliance built on calculated risk and shifting loyalties.
Full summary
The whole story of American Yakuza, scene by scene
American Yakuza Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 3 trailers.
- Trailer Original Trailer
- Trailer Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know American Yakuza?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What alias does FBI agent David Brandt assume while infiltrating the Yakuza?
Cars in American Yakuza
12 cars on screen, including the 1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van and the 1988 Lincoln Town Car.
-
1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van Important role -
1988 Lincoln Town Car Important role -
1989 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role -
1983 Audi 5000 C2 Minor role
American Yakuza Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Amerykański yakuza” and “Amerykańska yakuza”.
- Also known as
-
- Amerykański yakuza
- Amerykańska yakuza
- Bloodbrother II - Champ gegen Champ
- American Yakuza: O Início
- 决战计划
- Amerikai jakuza
- Американский якудза
- 美国心黑道情
- Американський якудза
- 美國心黑道情
Seen American Yakuza?
Movies Like American Yakuza
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Yakuza, The Yakuza Way and Showdown in Little Tokyo.
American Yakuza FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of American Yakuza, each answered in a sentence.
How long is American Yakuza?
American Yakuza runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was American Yakuza released?
American Yakuza was released on December 22, 1993.
Who directed American Yakuza?
American Yakuza was directed by Frank A. Cappello.
More films by Frank A. Cappello Who is in the cast of American Yakuza?
American Yakuza stars Viggo Mortensen as Nick Davis / David Brandt, John Fujioka as Isshin Tendo and Michael Nouri as Dino Campanela, among 15 credited actors.
Does American Yakuza have a post-credit scene?
No. American Yakuza has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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