Twenty-One Fingerprints

About This Movie

So, 'Twenty-One Fingerprints,' the 1948 entry in the Bannai Tarao series, is quite an interesting watch, you know? It has this gritty crime atmosphere that really pulls you in, and Chiezo Kataoka's performance as the titular character adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. The pacing is a bit uneven at times, but it kind of adds to the suspense. One of the more distinctive elements is how the film plays with themes of trust and deception, which resonate through the plot twists. You can feel the practical effects in the action scenes; they have a rawness that’s refreshing compared to today’s CGI-heavy films. Overall, it’s a solid piece that showcases post-war Japanese cinema’s approach to the crime genre.

This film, part of the Bannai Tarao series, is less commonly found in collector circles, making it a curious addition for those tracking early crime dramas from Japan. The format history is a bit patchy, with some versions only available on VHS and others surfacing on DVD in limited runs. Its scarcity has piqued interest among collectors, especially for those focused on the evolution of the crime genre in Japanese cinema.