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Feb 13, 2025 Web Exclusive By Kaveh Jalinous Photography by MVD Publicity

In theory, the hitman film is based on order and organization. The cinematic hitman is one of extensive planning, one whose entire survival ensures on things being in their right place. In a certain sense, their personalities directly contrast what is meant to make for an “entertaining action film.” Everything’s supposed to be normal, until it’s not. Thankfully, hitmen films are unlike their subjects; things go wrong constantly. Whether there are shady supporting characters, emotional stakes driving things in different directions or just shocking oversights, hitmen films are so entertaining because they involve putting someone whose life is built around organization in a situation where things are anything but.

Among hitmen films far and wide, Kazuo Mori’s A Certain Killer and A Killer’s Key—a series of films, both released in 1967, packaged in an excellent Arrow Video release—leans into the organizational aspect of gun for hire culture. Though, as organized as the series’ protagonist may be, the chaos that unfolds in both films—sometimes subtle, sometimes intense—shows how situations can often unfold in ways we’d never imagine.

A Certain Killer introduces us to the protagonist of the two films, Shiozawa (Raizô Ichikawa). We first meet the character as he stakes out in a dead, rural town for an upcoming hit. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn more about the context that’s led to this moment, including Shiozawa’s “day job” as a sushi chef, his contract from a Yakuza boss and the ways he meets his two ‘partners’ in crime: Keiko (Yumiko Nogawa) and Maeda (Mikio Narita), each of whom have secrets of their own. As Shiozawa teaches the two the way of the assassin, including how to best organize for a hit and cover up their tracks, Maeda offers Shiozawa the chance to make even more money than he had been previously offered. As you’d expect, things get complicated from there.

In A Killer’s Key, Shiozawa is professionally working as a dance school instructor named Nitta. Unsurprisingly, he’s soon hired to perform a hit, which he successfully pulls off. Though, right after, he realizes those who hired him are trying to ‘off’ him themselves, a fact that becomes dangerously evident when he realizes the brakes have been removed from his car. He manages to jump out of the car—emerging unscathed—before it drives off a cliff. Believed dead, he goes after those who tried to kill him, engulfing him in the dangerous intersection of the criminal underworld and political elite. The film feels a tad more Hollywoodian than its predecessor, based on the nature of the plot, the hero’s journey that Shiozawa goes through and its reliance on unfiltered entertainment.

Like many hitmen films, A Certain Killer and A Killer’s Key are impressive in their restraint. As focused and organized as Shiozawa is, he is equally as quiet. Though the character rarely talks, both the characters, and the audience, can feel his presence in every scene. Moreover, the character operates with a moral compass, which continuously becomes fogged and complicated as he’s put in situations that test what he believes in. These qualities allow the films—particularly, A Certain Killer—to ruminate and provide interesting commentary on the complicated nature of acting for what we perceive as ‘right.’ The quieter nature of the films can slow their pacing a bit; despite being only 82 and 79 minutes, respectively, they can feel much longer at times. Yet, Shiozawa’s cool exterior demeanor, yet complicated internal being, make the film all the worthwhile. This is equally due to Ichikawa’s excellent performance and Mori’s excellent blocking, allowing the character to instantly take control of every environment he’s in—which often presents dire consequences for both Shiozawa and those around him.

Arrow Video’s release of the films is especially exciting, given neither film has received an English-language home video release. Both the films, presented in 1080p, look fantastic. The contrast between light and shadow in the industrial areas much of A Certain Killer unfolds in are especially striking. Additionally, the release’s featurettes provide exciting and interesting perspectives on the two film’s. Among them: audio commentary for both films by writer Tony Rayns, and a new 30-minute introduction to the film by scholar Mark Roberts.

(www.arrowvideo.com/4k/a-certain-killer-a-killer-s-key-limited-edition-blu-ray/15819813)