Golgo 13: The Professional

Golgo 13: The Professional
Directed by	Osamu Dezaki
Written by	Takao Saito
Starring	Tetsuro Sagawa Gorô Naya
Release date(s)	May 28, 1983 (1983-05-28)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Golgo 13: The Professional (ゴルゴ13) is a Japanese animated film adaptation of the Golgo 13 manga series released May 28, 1983 by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. It is the first animated film to be based on the manga and the third film overall.

Plot

Infamous hitman Duke Togo - also known as Golgo 13 - is hired to assassinate Robert Dawson, the son of wealthy oil baron Leonard Dawson and the intended heir of Dawson Enterprises. Though successful in his task, he soon faces the wrath of a vengeful Dawson.

After accomplishing a hit on a powerful crime boss in Sicily, Golgo is suddenly attacked by the U.S. military and discovers his informant has been killed by Snake, a genetically altered assassin. Aided by the U.S. Army, the FBI, and the CIA, Dawson has become determined to kill Golgo and avenge his son's death.

A military force led by Lieutenant Bob Bragan attempts to ambush Golgo in the middle of an assignment in San Francisco, California. The plan fails and the entire force is wiped out. However, a dying Bragan manages to wound Golgo while Rita, the mechanic who supplied him with his getaway car, is murdered by Snake.

Having been consumed by revenge, Dawson has begun to allow the rest of his family to be harmed. He lets Snake rape Laura, Robert's widow, and sends his granddaughter and butler to an airport to murder Golgo with a gun concealed in a doll. The shot misses and Golgo kills the butler before leaving. Dawson has also forced the FBI to release Gold and Silver, two notorious murderers who were part of a covert government operation to test the survival rate of mercenaries in the jungles of Africa. When Laura demands to know why Dawson has refused to seek vengeance on whoever ordered the hit on Robert, he refuses to answer.

Golgo arrives at Dawson Tower in New York City, where he is attacked by Snake. A brutal, yet skillful fight occurs between the two in an elevator, but instead of being killed by Golgo, Snake is inadvertently gunned down by a military helicopter. Gold and Silver arrive to finish Golgo off, but are dispatched as well.

Golgo finally encounters Dawson at the top of his building. Following a brief monologue, Dawson attempts suicide by leaping out of the window. It is then revealed that Robert had ordered the hit on himself, believing to be unable to live up to his father's expectations and not having the courage to take his own life. Before Dawson hits the ground, Golgo shoots him in the head. His death is ruled as accidental.

Back on the streets, Golgo encounters Laura, who has since become a prostitute. Upon recognizing him, she attempts to shoot him. As Golgo begins to leave, she fires her gun, but an unaffected Golgo continues walking.

Production

Golgo 13: The Professional was the first anime film to incorporate CGI animation, most notably in the scene where army helicopters circle around Dawson Tower and attack Golgo as he climbs toward Dawson's office on the top floor.

Leonard Dawson, the film's antagonist, is named after actor/game show host Richard Dawson. Much like the actor, Leonard Dawson was an Englishman who migrated to the U.S. at a young age, as explained in the middle of the film. Golgo also bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Richard Dawson.

Cast

Character	Original version	English Dub
Duke Togo/Golgo 13	Tetsurô Sagawa	Greg Snegoff
Leonard Dawson	Gorô Naya	Michael McConnohie
Robert Dawson	Kei Tomiyama	Tony Oliver
Rita	Kumiko Takizawa	Diane Michelle
Laura Dawson	Reiko Mutoh	Edie Mirman
Cindy/Dr. Zed	Toshiko Fujita	Joyce Kurtz
General T. Jefferson	Kiyoshi Kobayashi	Edward Mannix

External links

• Golgo 13: The Professional at the Internet Movie Database
• Golgo 13: The Professional (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia