Black Lizard (1968) Part 1 of 9 :: Mishima, Miwa

High camp meets film noir in the 1968 Japanese film Black Lizard. Based on Yukio Mishima's stage adaptation of the novel by Edogawa Rampo. Featuring female impersonator Akihiro Miwa, credited here as Akihiro Maruyama, and a cameo appearance by Mishima himself (see part 8).

It was re-released in 1991 and I was lucky enough to see it in New York. I bought the VHS videotape as soon as it was released. The transfer here is from that VHS tape, which has been in storage for 15 years. Sorry about the quality (especially audio), but it's the best I could coax out of my aging VCR (also pulled out of storage).

This movie is long out of print and there's no DVD that I'm aware of. Guess we'll all have to wait for the next revival. Until then, I hope you enjoy this YouTube version.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Japan
• 1960's
• cult movie

[Zilbernet]

See part 8 for Yukio Mishima's cameo appearance (hint: he's the shirtless body-builder).

[linaa55]

you are my hero for posting this!!!

[front131]

Many thanks for posting this and for all your efforts to do, much appreciated!

[N3v3nka]

detective Akechi is my hero.

[RihokoO]

そして脚本も素晴らしい　流石は三島先生・・・・

[RihokoO]

何もかもが素晴らしすぎる作品

[PRIVATEAYEIEYE]

Alright! I've been babbling about this ever since I found a VHS of it at a Blockbuster sell-off of their "questionable content" after they went all Holy.

Reminds me of Fantomas mixed with The Crying Game.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Is there ANYPLACE to even find the old VHS tape?

[hanshotfirst1138]

THANK YOU for putting this up! I've always been curious about it, but it's damn near impossible to find.

[rosielxxrik]

such a beautiful movie. Miwa Akihrio is simply marvelous here.

[mitchykun]

Wow, you don't know how psyched I am that you've put this on YouTube. Thanks so much for sharing it!! Awesome!!!

[Barbarella88]

thanks soo much for posting, this is one of my all time favorite movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!