Abashiri Prison (film)

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Abashiri Prison is a 1965 Japanese film directed by Teruo Ishii. It is the first entry in Toei’s Abashiri Prison series and stars Ken Takakura. The movie is based on Hajime Itō’s 1956 novel Abashiri Bangaichi, which drew on Itō’s real experiences in Abashiri Prison. Ishii reimagined the story as a Japanese version of The Defiant Ones (1958), about two very different prisoners who must work together after an escape.

Plot
In a harsh winter at Hokkaido’s Abashiri Prison, Shinichi Tachibana, a model prisoner with six months left on his sentence, is handcuffed to Gonda, a hardened criminal. When Gonda and other inmates escape, Tachibana is forced to join them on the run.

Production
The film was made under tough winter conditions in Hokkaido. Ishii initially didn’t want to adapt the book, but Toei pushed a remake of The Defiant Ones. The crew faced challenges finding locations, including a railroad for an escape scene. They shot in Shintoku and other towns, often staying in mountain dormitories, with the cold weather causing equipment problems.

Music
The title song is sung by Ken Takakura. It’s based on a traditional folk tune Ishii heard from a TV documentary; he recorded it and used it in this film (and in his earlier movie Kaoyaku).

Release and reception
Toei released Abashiri Prison in 1965 as a B-movie on a double feature. The film was a big hit, making Takakura a superstar and starting a long series of sequels (17 in total). Critics praised its stark black-and-white visuals and strong performances, though some found Koji Nanbara’s acting over the top. The third film, Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness (1965), is often considered the best in the series. Ishii has said the first film is his personal favorite, though he later felt pressured to make the sequels one after another.

Home video
In 2024, Eureka Entertainment released Abashiri Prison in a Blu-ray box set as part of the Masters of Cinema series, including the next two films in the series.

Franchise note
The series continued with 17 sequels from 1965 to 1972, all featuring Takakura. The later entries were released under the title New Abashiri Prison and had different directors.