Smashing the 0-Line

Smashing the 0-Line is a Japanese crime thriller about the clash between two reporters, Katori and Tatsuo Nishina. While Nishina follows ethical standards, Katori is an ambitious man willing to betray anyone to secure a news story. Their professional rivalry is complicated by Nishina's love for Katori's sister, Sumiko. The conflict intensifies as both men attempt to investigate an international drug syndicate known as the 0-Line, culminating in the kidnapping of Sumiko by a ruthless female gang leader.

Directed by Seijun Suzuki, this production by Nikkatsu Corporation is the third of 26 films he directed, following The Boy Who Came Back and preceding The Sleeping Beast Within. The screenplay was written by Yasuro Yokoyama. The film features a credited cast of 28 people, with lead roles played by Hiroyuki Nagato, Yuji Odaka, Mayumi Shimizu, Sanae Nakahara, Shoichi Ozawa, and Yuzo Kiura. Released in 1960 with a runtime of 83 minutes, the movie holds a rating of 6.3/10 on TMDB based on 11 votes.