The Great Chase (1975)

The Great Chase (1975)

Release Date: 1975, April 26
Directors: Norifumi Suzuki
Countries: Japan
Production: Toei Company
Cast: Kaoru Endō, Yōichi Numata, Rikiya Yasuoka, Tōru Yuri, Takashi Hio, Tooru Hanada, Torahiko Hamada, Etsuko Shihomi, Shunsuke Kariya, Masashi Ishibashi, Shōhei Yamamoto, Iwao Dan

Overview:

Shihomi Etsuko plays a race car driver who also lends out her services to the Japanese Secret Service. Although there really isn't much of a "chase" to be seen, Shihomi does pursue a cartel of drug runners and assorted Japanese yakuza types. While the story is pure 70's exploitation and gritty crime drama, the best reason to see it is for the Martial Arts Action of Etsuko Shihomi. The action is over-the-top and at times hilarious (i.e. Shihomi battling the lead criminal atop a moving gondola or Shihomi battling a whip-wielding Catholic Nun).