The tale of real-life Yakuza boss Shimizu Jirocho is told from his earliest beginnings as a gambler on the road as he forms his gang and sets out on the path to fame and fortune. One of the smartest and strongest of all the gang bosses, he went on to survive the end of the samurai era and become a successful businessman. But first, he must survive against all odds in order to build his reputation and develop his strength. Powerful portrayals of the group are led by the great Tsuruta Koji with help from the likes of Matsukata Hiroki.

時代劇の巨匠・マキノ雅弘監督が多年のキャリアを生かして描いた“次郎長映画決定版”となるシリーズ第1作。清水の米屋の倅・長五郎が、清水港一の侠客・次郎長となり一家を作りあげるまでを描いた娯楽大作