Intimidation (1960) - full transcript

A Nikkatsu production

Intimidation

produced by Ryoji Motegi.

Based on the story by Kyo Takigawa
screenplay by Osamu Kawase

a two-bit hoodlum from Tokyo
knew all about your illegal loans.

Production design by
Kazuhiko Chiba.

That's why I gave him
the details of your illegal loans.

Starring.

Nobuo Kaneko
Mari Shiraki, Ko Nishimura

Kojiro Kusanagi, Zenji Yamada

Jun Hamamura, Yoko Kozono



Nobuo Kawakami

directed by koreyoshi Kurahara.

Bank of Niigata
service entrance

who are you?
How'd you get in?

Just shook the back door
and it opened.

That was careless, pops.

What do you want?

Soliciting's strictly forbidden.

If you're not here on business,
please leave at once.

Otherwise I'll call for help.

I want to see him.

The assistant manager?

You know him?

Know him?
Yeah, I know him.



He's at his farewell party.

He's been promoted to the head office.

Farewell party?

As I mentioned earlier,
our own Kyosuke Takita

possesses a character that is both
upright and conscientious.

His track record and abilities

fully justify his promotion
to division chief

at such a young age.

His career is racing
toward a dazzling future,

like a Soviet rocket
hurtling toward the moon.

Of this we are all certain.

Come now, Mr. Nakaike, not again.

Leave that to us.

Please return to the party.

No way. It's my job to make sure
you don't water down the sake.

Are you serious?

You're too old to be
back here heating the sake.

I was just joking.

I just feel more comfortable back here.

This one should be ready.

Ouch!

See what I mean?

You're really pathetic.

It's so annoying.

What is?

Isn't it obvious?

Mr. Takita's almost
on the board of directors.

Aren't you even a little bitter?

He married the president's daughter.
Of course he'll be on the board.

Where's your ambition?

You and Takita
have been good friends

ever since you played together
as little boys.

He's almost a director,
while you'll be a nobody forever.

Not every bank employee
can be a director.

He has a university degree.

I just went to junior high.

All this was a foregone conclusion.

But it's holding
your sister back as well.

What's that, madam?

What about me?

Shouldn't you be out there?

Listening to how “upright
and conscientious” Takita is?

I don't need to hear that crap.

Let him go to Niigata
or wherever it is.

Then my brother won't feel
so inferior by comparison.

And neither will I.

Let's have a toast:
Good riddance to Takita.

Sake brings out the worst in you.
Madam, I'll leave the rest to you.

Running away? Wait!

I'm the one
most upset by your leaving.

You really ran everything.
I've just been a figurehead.

Not at all.

Your guidance
saved my neck many times.

Come now.

But even if it's flattery,
it's nice to hear.

Hey, Nakaike,
get yourself over here.

Where have you been?

Actually, sir,
I was warming the sake.

Warming the sake?

General clerk isn't an easy job.

Let's really drink up tonight.

Thank you, Mr. Takita.
Congratulations...

Oh, stop it.

Tonight we drink hard together,
like in the old days.

Allow me to return the favor, sir.

Didn't he just say he wanted
to drink like old friends?

Don't be so self-effacing.

Your lack of confidence
is holding you back!

Sir, Nakaike's always been a bit stiff.

I hate to call him “slow, ”
but I actually like that about him.

Mr. Takita...

Sir, he's really a great guy.

Please take good care of him
when I'm gone.

I hope you appreciate
Mr. Takita's sentiments

and do your very best.

A call for you. A Mr. Kumaki.

Kumaki? Never heard of him.

Say I left. Hey, ono.

Yes?

Do that favorite dance of yours.

- I'll get out here.
- Thanks for everything.

I'd come in to say hello
to your wife, but it's late.

I'll see her tomorrow at the station.

Good night.

Mr. Takita.

How could you put up with that?

They made you sit
before him like a servant.

Where's your dignity?

Don't say that.
Kyosuke did his best for me.

I ruined my own chances.

How naive can you be?

He played you for a fool.

You've always been second fiddle.
You just don't get it.

Yukie, what's the point
of getting so angry?

You're right. He's leaving...

After walking all over us.

Just forget it.

I can't.
Aren't you even a bit ashamed?

You were spineless
and let him do whatever he wanted.

He stole Kumiko from you.

I was never a match for him...

In school or with Kumiko.

What do you mean?

He used you to get to Kumiko

and then used her to advance.

Without her, he'd be like you -
just another clerk.

Don't you realize it could've been
your celebration tonight?

That's enough!
Don't let madam hear you.

Why not?

I want to show the world
who that calculating bastard really is!

All right, I get it.
Let's go home.

You just don't understand!

You've ruined us!
You're too trusting!

If it weren't for you...

He might not have left me.

Yukie, you mean...

I'm leaving.
I don't have all night.

Wait. Just a little longer.

Don't leave just yet.

I have something to show you.

Sit back down.
You haven't heard the best part.

My wife isn't the issue.

That's all in the past.
I don't care.

- Then there's nothing to discuss.
- Yes, there is.

Think I'd come all the way
from Tokyo empty-handed?

What's all this about?

I don't want to rush it,
but I guess you can have a look.

I'll be blunt:

It's a detailed record
of your illegal loans.

Where'd you get this?

You used counterfeit seals
to make illegal loans.

Your hypocrisy makes me sick.

Weren't expecting this, eh?

I'm sure this is your doing.

And I've got the evidence.

These are definitive proof.

Seal makers keep receipts
of all their orders.

You got rid of the other evidence,

but you forgot about these.

That isn't like you.

Just what do you want from me?

Three million yen.

That's the price.

By 6:00 A.M. the day after tomorrow.

If you're late,
this goes in the mail to the cops.

Impossible. I can't do it.

Yes, you can.

You've got loads of money

right behind your desk at the bank.

You're not suggesting...

This is insane.
My life will be ruined.

It's ruined either way.

“No lighthouse can shine on itself.”.

Who'd expect an assistant
bank manager to crack his own safe?

It wouldn't even happen
in a detective story.

So I guess this is good-bye.

Excuse me.

Sorry I didn't hear you.
We were packing.

Father called earlier.

He said you'll be
on the board in three months.

What's happened?
You're so pale.

I just drank a bit too much.

It's nothing.

I'll come to bed after I sober up a bit.

“No lighthouse can shine on itself ”.

Who'd expect an assistant
bank manager to crack his own safe?

It wouldn't even happen
in a detective story.

Hello?

Takita speaking.

It's me. Recognize the voice?

It's k umaki.

Uh, yes, good work today.

Have you made up your mind?

Six A.M., day after tomorrow.

There must be no delay.

Hello? Hello?

Who was that?

A guard at the bank.
I'd asked him for a favor.

It's good to work hard,
but don't overdo it.

It'll ruin your health.

Another call?

Don't answer.

But dear... go inside.
I'll be along soon.

Hello?

What, it's you?

Yes. Please excuse my behavior
earlier at the party.

Well... I just wanted

to invite you out tomorrow night.

No, it won't take long.

I can't afford much anyway,

but I wanted to thank you
for all you've done.

I'd like us to drink as old friends...

Hello? Hello?

Yukie, you'll catch cold.

Go on, then. Sleep it off.

You're a spineless fool.

I'm happy to take over the records,
but I can't make sense of any of this.

Is something the matter?

No.

That's the capital assessment
for hokuriku construction.

I see.

We loaned them 20 million yen
last December.

It got them back on their feet.
Now they're a cash cow.

You were the only one
who went to bat for them.

I'll really feel helpless with you gone.

Don't worry. I've delegated
my duties to the relevant parties.

Glad to hear that.
I don't understand this stuff at all.

When you go to the head office,

please ask your father-in-law
to look out for me.

As you know, I'll be retiring soon.

I will.

Not again!

Useless alarm bell!

It's been going off
for no reason since yesterday.

The police will give us hell!

What happened?

Stop gawking and call the electrician.

And call the police and apologize.

Just an alarm malfunction.

Sorry about last night.
I'm getting old.

Didn't drink that much,
but my head's pounding.

What did you want to see me about?

I could use a little favor.

Money?

Please.
This came up suddenly.

I need three million yen by tomorrow.

Three million?

Please. Help me out.

Why do you need so much so quickly?

With a sum that large,
I'm guessing it's complicated,

but whatever it is, it's too much.

I helped you when you needed it.

Yeah, you came to my rescue.

Your loan saved
my company from bankruptcy.

But in return I covered
your losses from those illegal loans.

I'd say we're even.

Think about it:
As of tomorrow you're out of here.

Why should I lend three million

to a stranger?

Try to be realistic.

Personal obligations
have no place in business.

You're about to become a director.

Getting tangled up
with hick construction bosses like me

will just hold back your career.

I won't be able to see you off tomorrow.
Take care.

Oh, almost forgot.

A little farewell present.

It's called a floral clock.

It never goes wrong.
Try to follow its example.

Sorry, that was a little snide.

See you.

Did you have a visitor?

A man asked me to give this to you.
Said his name was Kumaki.

A young man with sunglasses.

What shall I do?
He's waiting outside for an answer.

“Don't forget:
Byobudani at 6:00 A.M. tomorrow.”.

That's odd.

He was here just a minute ago.

He called yesterday too.

Listen...
Sorry to call so late last night.

I was just feeling nostalgic.
- What's this about?

I promised to treat you to dinner.

I'm busy tonight.

That's okay. Aizawa's sick,
so I'm on night duty tonight.

Is something wrong?

No, nothing.

So you're on night duty tonight?

You got the short end of the stick.

Bank of Niigata

here you are.

It's been years
since we drank together like this.

Relax.
Don't worry about night duty.

But it's already 9:30.

It's all right. Have some more.

You're with your boss.
We'll make up some excuse.

I guess you're right.

No, I shouldn't.

I really shouldn't.

See you later.
- Nakaike!

Who cares about night duty?

No one will notice
as long as I'm back by dawn.

Honestly, everyone does it.

But that's a secret.

What's wrong?
Somewhere else you have to be?

No.

This area's changed completely.

All this was wheat fields
when we were kids.

We used to race down the dirt paths.

Yeah, I miss the old days.

But no matter how hard I tried,

I could never beat you
at school or work or anything.

But that's not surprising.

You have far greater talents, of course.

As for Kumiko...

I was intimidated by her
from the start.

But even now...

You still treat me as a friend.

You know, I really...

Yukie.

Surprised?

I was on my way to say good-bye.

We were together a long time.

It wouldn't be right
not to say good-bye.

Don't you agree?
- You've been drinking.

You must be relieved.

You're free of me now...

One less obstacle to your success.

That's enough now.

If you want to talk, let's go somewhere.

You're not fooling me again.

You fooled me for eight years.

I can't do it.

I can't be apart from you.

Please don't leave me!

Try to be reason...

I should have had your baby.

Then it would be easier to let go of you.

Starting tomorrow
we'll be total strangers,

and nothing will be left
of what we shared.

Don't say that.
This doesn't have to be the end.

I know you'll never come back to me.

I'll be back on business,
and we can take our time.

Who could that be now?

Who is it?

Who's there?

Some drunken prankster!

Who's there?

Son of a bitch!
At this time of night!

Telephone

emergency alarm

I don't know how to open the safe.

I swear.

Only the manager, his assistant,
and a few section chiefs know.

Excuse me.

Is that all you're taking?

Just three million yen?

Listen...

Why not take this too?

Seems you finally caught on!

No point in keeping up this charade.

Nakaike...

Sorry for the nasty surprise.

You see...

I wanted to do something
memorable before I left.

I thought it could tighten security...

To stage a mock break-in.

So all this was just an act?

Of course!

Why would I rob my own bank?

Go on now.
Put the money back.

Then untie nozaki

and explain to him, all right?

Mr. Takita.

You kept me waiting.

I assume you brought the money.

Please try to understand.

Just give me a week.

So you didn't bring it?
Then you'll face the consequences.

I'm taking these to the post office.

Just a week.
I'll figure something out.

Please wait!

Fool! Think I'll fall for that?

Mr. Kumaki, please wait!

I beg you! Please!

Let go! I despise men
who don't keep their word!

Wait!

Stop right there!

Stop.

Don't move!

I'll shoot.

Stop or I'll shoot!

I gave it to you unloaded,
stupid idiot!

You don't even know how to use it!

Please help me!

Help me, please!

I'm begging you!

I was wrong! I'm sorry!

Mr. Takita!

Please! I apologize...

Dear, you should get some rest...

What are you doing?

I've been playing
with fire all morning.

That's awful.
Are you still drunk?

You want to change your clothes?
- No.

I have something to do at the bank.

It was a security test.

Takita did that?

He's been worried about lax security

and felt a break-in
would teach us a lesson.

The night-duty officer really screwed up.
Who was it?

Unbelievable!
Acting as if nothing happened.

I believe you've all heard by now.

Actually...

It would probably be better
if Mr. Takita explained.

Yesterday I played robber for a day.

Some may say it was a cruel prank...

But before I left here,

I wanted to conduct an experiment.

You see...

I wanted to make sure
this branch was worthy

of our customers' valued deposits.

Unfortunately, we scored a zero.

If an amateur like me
could break in so easily,

would you deposit
your precious savings here?

I know I certainly wouldn't.

It's no laughing matter.

Of course, the branch manager
bears some responsibility,

and I too must take
my share of the blame,

but the harshest criticism...

Must go to the night-duty officer.

I won't mention his name now.

Last night I invited him out for a drink.

Much to my surprise...

He agreed without hesitation.

Around dawn I left him lying in the bar,
oblivious to his duties,

and broke into the bank.

But I will give him this:

When I broke in,

he was already back at his post,

sooner than I'd expected.

As far as I'm concerned,
that was his only saving grace.

The bank opens soon,

so I'll summarize very briefly
the course of events.

First I pointed a toy pistol at him,

and then I...

That damn fool Nakaike!

This is outrageous!

But sir, if we're assigning blame,
we can't overlook ourselves.

The other men on night duty
do the same thing.

It isn't just him.

I'll take care of that.

So you'll leave Nakaike alone, right?

To be honest, I feel sorry for him.

I didn't set out to ruin his career.

I understand that.

Come back later!

May I have a moment?

Sorry about that...

But work comes before friendship.

Don't be angry.

I didn't intend
to make you the sacrifice.

I've asked the manager
to go easy on you.

There's someone here to see you.

To see me?

The man who was here two days ago.

What was his name?

Oh, yes - Kumaki.

He's in the reception room.

He asked me to give this to you.

There must be some mistake.

There's no one here.

But there is.

I'm here... in Kumaki's place.

What are you...

You really meant to rob
the bank, didn't you?

Don't be ridiculous.
Stop this right now.

Running away?

Don't make wild accusations.

Wild accusations?

What if I have solid evidence?

Don't shout.

If that was a security test,

why'd you leave
the new bills in the safe?

Because you know we record
those serial numbers.

Fool! That's not evidence.

There's more.

You took exactly three million yen.

Just the amount you needed.

You must be joking.

You're saying I robbed the bank
because I needed the money?

That's right.

You had to pay three million
to save your career...

To Kumaki.

That's ridiculous!

I'm busy. I have to go.

Wait.

Kyosuke...

A two-bit hoodlum from Tokyo
knew all about your illegal loans.

Didn't that strike you as odd?

I found out your mistress's pimp

was shaking you down for money.

I'd been watching your every move,
hoping to expose your lies.

That's why I gave him
the details of your illegal loans.

Look.

I wrote this blackmail letter.

I can write as many as I want.

I still have three copies
of the seal maker's receipts.

You son of a bitch!

You were out to trap me!

I would've been satisfied

just to watch you
scramble for the money

and bow and scrape to Kumaki.

But you had to go and rob the bank
just to save your career.

That's why I let on
that I recognized you:

To stop you
from doing something crazy.

And in return you humiliated me,
you piece of shit!

You know...
I could turn you in for murder.

I followed you
to byobudani this morning.

I meant to step in and clear
things up at the right moment.

I rushed to get there,
but I was too late.

I feel sorry for poor Kumaki.

I'll do whatever you ask.

How much do you want?

What?

Or a promotion
to section chief, division chief...

Please, Nakaike.

I'm begging you.

Please don't tell anyone.

Please!

I've finally beat you!

I've waited ten years for this.

I've watched you strut
arrogantly around the office...

And thought of nothing
but how I might crush you.

Everyone insulted me.

I warmed your sake
in the back room

while you got drunk
with geisha girls.

You bastard!
You pretended we were friends,

but deep down
you mocked and despised me.

You stole Kumiko and defiled Yukie.

I'm sorry, Nakaike.

I'll do anything to make amends.

Just don't -
- enough!

Nakaike!

Hello.

This is Nakaike speaking.

One cup of hot coffee,
if you don't mind.

Don't worry about that.

Just charge it
to the assistant manager.

Oh, one more thing.

What about the assistant manager's
car to the station?

Three o'clock? Good.

The train leaves at 3:30.
Make sure the car's on time.

Go in good health.

I won't be seeing you off.
Better that way, no?

You mean...

This whole thing...

You'll keep it a secret?

Thank you. I'm so grateful.

I'll be forever in your debt.

Body found in byobudani

Darling, father says
our new house has a large garden.

Did it plunge over the cliff?

He says I should plant a rose garden.

He's worried
you'll have little time for me.

After all, you'll have to be head
of the bank when he retires.

You're awful,
just grunting like that.

I won't overwork myself.

Are you Mr. Takita?

Miyazaki,
from the bank's head office.

I'll be escorting you
to your destination.

Ah... is that right?

If you need anything,
I'm in economy class.

Thank you.

What is it?
- Nothing.

He just reminds me of Nakaike.
- Nakaike?

He's doing the same job.

I feel bad for him.
He'll be stuck in that job forever.

It's the only kind of work
that type can handle.

Mr. Takita?

A man is waiting for you
in economy class.

For me?

What was that fellow's name?

Miyazaki.

What a nuisance,
summoning me like this.

It's this way, sir.

Please go ahead.

That gentleman.

Sit down.

Figure out
why I didn't see you off?

From now on

I'll be following you wherever you go.

Just what are you up to?

I was going to ask you the same thing.

But let's get one thing straight:

From now on, I hold the reins.

Got that?

What about the bank?

I quit.

I'll do better having you look after me.

Go on. Sit down.

Can I get a cigarette?

And a light?

Ifs still lit.

Mr. Takita?

Niigata police

the end