Branded to Kill

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Branded to Kill Original Japanese theatrical poster Country Japan Directed by Seijun Suzuki Release Date 1967 Language Japanese English Studio Nikkatsu Main Cast Character Actor Goro Hanada Jô Shishido Number One Killer Koji Nanbara Michihiko Yabuhara Isao Tamagawa Misako Nakajo Annu Mari Mami Hanada Mariko Ogawa Gihei Kasuga Hiroshi Minami

Branded to Kill (殺しの烙印, Koroshi no rakuin) is a 1967 Japanese crime thriller directed by Seijun Suzuki. The plot depicts Goro Hanada (Jô Shishido), the Japanese yakuza Number Three Killer with a fetish for the smell of boiling rice. In his attempts to climb to the very top in the bloody business Hanada meets and falls in love with a mysterious woman named Misako, who recruits him for a mission that Hanada fails. Due to this, he becomes a target for the Number One Killer.

This low budget, surrealistic and absurdist movie originally was a commercial and critical disappointment for the studio. But over time Branded to Kill was recognized as a cult classic and made influence for notable filmmakers, among which are Jim Jarmusch, John Woo, Chan-wook Park and Quentin Tarantino.

The following weapons were used in the film Branded to Kill:

Note!! Most, if not all guns in the movie turn out to be not real weapons but rather replicas, likely flashpaper guns. These guns are named by the models they are based on (when possible), with mentioning the features that allow to tell they are not real.

Handguns

Custom Mauser C96

Goro Hanada uses a flashpaper replica of custom Mauser C96 pistol, modified for using twenty-round detachable magazine, like Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer. The main non-standard feature of this gun is the lack of any kind of safety. Other oddities are the large ring hammer that is positioned lower than on standard early C96s with this feature, smooth slide rails that are common for "Prewar Commercial" version, and no markings on the frame. In action Hanada's Mauser fires in full auto mode despite it lacks the selector switch of Schnellfeuer model.

For comparison: Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer - 7.63x25mm Mauser

For comparison: Mauser C96 fitted with holster/stock combo - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Hanada readies his gun when performing a mission to escort a client in a car ride.

A good view of Hanada's Mauser. Note the incorrectly placed large ring hammer, the lack of the safety, smooth slide rails and the lack of markings.

Hanada attaches the holster-stock to his gun.

Hanada fires his gun in full-auto mode.

Hanada with the Mauser.

Hanada holds the Mauser with attached holster-stock during the duel with Sakura, Number Two Killer.

Hanada prepares to shoot one of his targets up through a pipe drain (possibly a reference to a famous legend about a ninja assassin who killed Uesugi Kenshin in the lavatory by thrusting a spear from below).

Goro Hanada (Jô Shishido) posing with his Mauser on a promotional image.

Colt Model 1903 / Ruby Style Pistol 1

A hammerless pistol, resembling Colt Model 1903 (but with shorter barrel and more angular shapes) or pistols of the Ruby family, is seen in numerous scenes. A single prop is reused, while these are different guns according to the story. Misako Nakajo (Annu Mari) holds a pistol during the failed assassination. Further same looking pistol is seen in hands of Mami Hanada (Mariko Ogawa). After she drops the gun and runs away, Hamada picks up the gun and uses it as his main gun until the final.

For comparison: Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol Blued - .32 ACP

For comparison: Garate, Anitua y Cia Ruby-Type Pistol - .32 ACP

The pistol is seen in the opening scene in hands of the client whom Hanada escorts (his identity is revealed later). Note the lack of the external extractor that is used on Colt Model 1903, Ruby and other similar Browning system hammerless pistols.

Misako, firing her pistol, is seen through the sniper scope. The slide doesn't cycle when the gun fires.

A decent view of the pistol in Hanada's hands.

A view of the muzzle.

Misako gets the pistol but Hanada disarms her.

Hanada fires at his wife (the nudity is censored). The slide doesn't cycle when the gun fires, and the muzzle flame is a typical flashpaper effect.

The heel of the pistol is seen.

Hanada's pistol and Number One's FN Model 1910 on the table.

Hanada takes the pistol.

Colt Model 1903 / Ruby Style Pistol 2

In the climactic scene Hanada's pistol switches to another gun, of roughtly same appearance but without any kind of magazine, even the fake one.

A close-up of Hanada's pistol in the climactic scene. The grip is a single detail without any kind of magazine.

FN Model 1910

Number One Killer (Koji Nanbara) is armed with an FN Model 1910. Unlike most other guns in the movie, this one looks quite authentic (at least Hanada opens the slide and extracts the magazine). The FN 1910 isn't used in action.

FN Model 1910 - .380 ACP

Number One in standoff with Hanada.

Another view of the same scene.

Hanada's and Number One's pistols on the table.

The grips with FN logo can be seen.

Hanada pickes up Number One's pistol.

He finds a note in the unloaded magazine.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose Style

Gihei Kasuga (Hiroshi Minami) carries a snub nose revolver. His gun is based on Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose but differs in details, such as the shape of the front sight, the simplified details of the cylinder and seemingly too thin walls of the barrel.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special

Kasuga draws his revolver during the conflict with Hanada.

Another view of the revolver. The trigger guard is seen better.

Kasuga holds the revolver when the car is ambushed.

Kasuga hides behind the car.

Luger P08 Style

During the ambush on the road, one of the rival criminals is armed with a pistol, styled like Luger P08.

For comparison: Luger P08 - 9x19mm

An ambusher fires a Luger-style pistol.

He is gunned down. This view allows to see how the screen gun differs from the real Luger.

Luger P04 "Marine" Style

Another ambusher is armed with a pistol, styled like Luger P04 "Marine" with 15cm barrel.

For comparison: Luger P04 "Marine" model - 9x19mm

One of the ambushers is armed with a pistol that looks similar to long-barreled Luger P04 "Marine".

The rear part of the pistol is seen when the ambusher brawls with Kasuga. It only marginally matches Luger.

A long-barreled "pseudo Luger" is used by the Number One Killer when he taunts Hanada, showing the positions where he can fire from.

Luger LP08 "Artillery" Style

Koh (uncredited), the Number Four Killer, uses a pistol, styled like Luger LP08 "Artillery", during the shootout with Kasuga.

For comparison: Luger LP08 "Artillery" model - 9x19mm

Koh fires at Kasuga. The barrel length resembles the "Artillery" model but the pistol lacks the front sight.

Rifles

Stirling Model 20

Hanada uses a Stirling Model 20 .22 semi auto rifle with sniper scope for two assassinations. Later same rifle (according to the plot, this is a different weapon) is used by Misako. After Misako's abduction, Hanada takes her rifle and uses it, fitted with the sniper scope, for the shootout on the breakwater and during the confrontation with Number One Killer.

Stirling Model 20 with the muzzle brake (Squires Bingham production) - .22LR

Hanada attaches the sniper scope to his rifle.

Hanada spots the target.

A butterfly lands on the barrel, spoiling the shot.

The barrel with the muzzle brake is seen.

Hanada finds the rifle hidden in Misako's apartments.

Misako aims at Hanada.

Another view of the same scene.

Hanada takes the rifle with the sniper scope when he goes on the breakwater.

He uses the front sight of the rifle to pull a rope.

Hanada fires. A mirror is attached to the barrel that allows him to spot an enemy behind him.

The rifle is leaning against a chair. The muzzle brake is seen.

The rifle is damaged by a precious shot of Number One.

Remington Nylon 66

During the ambush in the wartime fort, Sakura (uncredited), the Number Two Killer, is armed with a Remington Nylon 66 rifle.

Remington Nylon 66 - .22 LR

Sakura fires at Hanada's car.

Another view of the same scene.

The muzzle is seen.

Ruger 10/22

During the shootout on the breakwater, one of Number One's henchmen is armed with a Ruger 10/22 semi-auto rifle.

Ruger 10/22 (Pre 2005 model) - .22 LR

A henchman covers under Hanada's gunfire.

He raises the rifle...

...but is gunned down.

Number One's Henchmen's Rifle

The second henchman is armed with an unidentified rifle with a sniper scope.

Another henchman aims a rifle with sniper scope.

Another view of the henchman's rifle.

He is also gunned down by Hanada.

Trivia

A ship that is seen at the background left is most likely the JN Amatsukaze guided missile destroyer.

US Navy aircraft carrier enters a Japanese port.

English language release cover.