Golgo 13: The Professional
Directed by	Osamu Dezaki
Written by	Takao Saito
Starring	Tetsuro Sagawa Gorô Naya
Release date(s)	May 7, 1983 (Japan) October 23, 1992 (US)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese
Preceded by	Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon
Followed by	Golgo 13: Queen Bee

Golgo 13: The Professional (ゴルゴ13) is a 1983 Japanese animated film adaptation of the Golgo 13 manga series. It is the first animated film to be based on the manga and the third film overall.

[edit] Plot

Infamous hitman Duke Togo, also known as Golgo 13, is tasked with murdering 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, Golgo is attacked by the military and discovers his informant has been killed by a mysterious assassin known as Snake. Aided by the Army, FBI, and CIA, Dawson has become determined to kill Golgo and avenge his son's death.

A military force led by Lieutenant Bob Bragan arrives into a city where Golgo's newest target is located in attempt to finally finish him off. The plan fails and the entire force is wiped out. However, a dying Bragan manages to wound Golgo while Rita, the mechanic who helped him escape, 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 survived being dropped into a jungle and pitted against a guerrilla force, killing all of the guerrillas in the process. When Laura demands to know why Dawson has refused to seek vengeance on whoever ordered the hit on Robert, Dawson refuses to answer.

Golgo arrives at Dawson's office building where he is attacked by Snake. A fight occurs between the two in an elevator, but instead of being killed by Golgo, Snake is cut down by a military helicopter. Gold and Silver arrive to finish Golgo off, but are defeated 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 himself ordered the hit, believing himself 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 an accident.

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.

[edit] 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

[edit] External links

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