The Hoodlum Priest (1967): Cast & Plot
The Hoodlum Priest is a 1967 historical crime film directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, starring Shintarō Katsu as Ryuzen, Mayumi Ogawa and Hōsei Komatsu. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- Kimiyoshi Yasuda
- Original language
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Japanese - Studio
- Daiei Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Hoodlum Priest About?
The premise of The Hoodlum Priest without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Ryuzen, a martial‑arts priest, breaks every taboo—sex, gambling—and opens his own gambling den to defy the local yakuza boss. The film blends thrilling action with a plot that pushes Japanese cinema. Katsu Shintaro shines in a non‑Zato Ichi role, fending off a love‑struck woman's advances while risking everything to topple the gambling overlord.
The Hoodlum Priest Themes & Keywords
· 3 tags- gambling
- priest
- martial arts
The Hoodlum Priest Cast & Characters
Shintarō Katsu leads the cast as Ryuzen, with Mayumi Ogawa and Hōsei Komatsu. Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda; 29 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kimiyoshi Yasuda
- Shintarō Katsu as Ryuzen
-
Mayumi Ogawa - Hōsei Komatsu
- Mikio Narita
Also Starring in The Hoodlum Priest
· 25 more- Fumio Watanabe
- Yukio Horikita
- Ikkei Tamaki
- Jun Fujikawa
- Jun Tatara
- Sumao Ishihara
- Shōsaku Sugiyama
- Masayoshi Kikuno
- Tadashi Iwata
- Ryūtarō Gomi
- Jun Katsumura
- Akira Shiga
- Naoko Kubo
- Kayo Mikimoto
- Takeshi Yabuuchi
- Jun Ōsugi
Show all 29 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Kimiyoshi Yasuda
More films directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda: Zatoichi’s Conspiracy, Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman, Lefty Fencer and Sworn Brothers.
The Hoodlum Priest Plot Summary
What happens in The Hoodlum Priest from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a city faced with the churn of crime and the quiet ache of second chances, Father Charles Dismas Clark, a Jesuit priest in St. Louis, dedicates his life to a mission that many would overlook: the rehabilitation of delinquents and ex-convicts. He meets them where they stand, listening in a language that respects their choices and their pasts, rather than judging them from afar. Through this patient approach, he earns their trust and opens a path that many have never believed possible. At the heart of his work is a young thief named Billy Lee Jackson, recently released from Missouri State Penitentiary, whose restlessness and anger threaten to undo the fragile progress Clark has fought to secure.
Full summary
The whole story of The Hoodlum Priest, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Hoodlum Priest?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
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- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Father Charles Dismas Clark's profession?
The Hoodlum Priest Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Yakuza bozu” and “极道坊主”.
- Also known as
-
- Yakuza bozu
- 极道坊主
Seen The Hoodlum Priest?
Movies Like The Hoodlum Priest
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Wicked Priest, Zatoichi the Outlaw and Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima.
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Wicked Priest 1968 -
Zatoichi the Outlaw 1967 -
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima 1973 -
Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder 1968 -
Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1973 -
The Hoodlum Saint 1946 -
The Shogun’s Vault 1964 -
Delinquent Boss: Wolves of the City 1969 -
The Hoodlum 1951 -
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather 1982 -
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron 1978 -
Street Mobster 1972
The Hoodlum Priest FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Hoodlum Priest, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Hoodlum Priest?
The Hoodlum Priest runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was The Hoodlum Priest released?
The Hoodlum Priest was released on November 15, 1967.
Who directed The Hoodlum Priest?
The Hoodlum Priest was directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
More films by Kimiyoshi Yasuda Who is in the cast of The Hoodlum Priest?
The Hoodlum Priest stars Shintarō Katsu as Ryuzen, Mayumi Ogawa and Hōsei Komatsu, among 29 credited actors.
Does The Hoodlum Priest have a post-credit scene?
No. The Hoodlum Priest has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Hoodlum Priest in?
The original language of The Hoodlum Priest is Japanese.
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