Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison 1-3 - The Masters of Cinema Series

Teruo Ishii writes and directs the first three instalments of the Japanese crime drama series starring Ken Takakura. In 'Abashiri Prison' (1965) yakuza Shinichi Tachibana (Takakura) has six months left on his sentence and is attempting to serve his time without trouble, though he fears for his terminally ill mother. While working outside he is handcuffed to petty criminal Gonda (Kôji Nanbara), who seizes the opportunity to escape, which forces Tachibana to embark upon a perilous journey into the coldest region in Japan with the prison guards in close pursuit.

In 'Another Abashiri Prison Story' (1965) Tachibana has just been released from prison and is hoping to stay out of trouble. However, when he unexpectedly comes into possession of a haul of recently stolen diamonds, he is soon targeted by foes on both sides of the law. Finally, in 'Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness' (1965), Tachibana returns home to Nagasaki and rejoins the ranks of the yakuza family he was once part of, who are now seeking to live honourably.

When the rival gang responsible for his imprisonment learn of his return and refuse to leave him alone, he is forced to take action.