Battle Royale - 3 Disc Box Set (Limited Edition) DVD

There was no way I was NOT going to like a Blu-Ray version of this masterpiece, but even so Arrow Videos have absolutely wowed me with their considered and generous treatment of the release. The packaging is robust and well-designed, the video extras are numerous and non-filler, and the extra gifts ("Parents' Day" comic, the two booklets, the poster, and film stills) are all well presented and very well picked.

The box is very strong hard card in a matte finish, with front cover art that features a "school lockers" motif and a rear which is devoted to describing the set. Inside the box are five folding cardboard sleeves which share the locker motif on their rears. Two of the sleeves contain all the printed extras, and have the special edition posters on their fronts. The other three sleeves contain the Blu-Ray discs and the fronts feature stylised artwork of Kiriyama (Theatrical Release), Kawada (Director's Cut), and Mitsuko (Additional Extras), along with their weapons of choice. In short a strong but not overpowering artistic theme is maintained throughout the set which I think declares "someone who cares about the film designed me".

The Amazon product description actually does a good job of listing the content but the set specifications could be better. Specs are:

* Running time (theatrical) = 114 minutes;
* Running time (director's) = 122 minutes;
* Language/Subs = Japanese/English;
* Aspect Ratio = 1.85:1;
* Audio = DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 / Stereo.

It's interesting to note that the subtitles for the Director's Cut have been entirely re-translated. This creates trivial semantic differences between many bits of dialogue in the two versions of the film, but puts an entirely new spin on a minority of other scenes. It's worth watching both films back-to-back to see how the feel of certain character interactions changes.

With regard to new footage, I don't want to spoil anything. But I will say the only additional parts which I thought added anything essential to the film were a flashback to Mitsuko's childhood (be assured it's as creepy as one might reasonably expect), and a re-telling of Noriko's dream in one of three "Requiems" at the end of the film. Having said that, nothing in the Director's Cut detracts from the film and I felt that it was a slightly superior cut.

With regards to the Blu-Ray quality, the sound is tremendous. The picture quality is pretty good and has scrubbed up well for a film of its age, especially considering that a lot of it was shot in the dark and the pouring rain, both of which create serious issues for cinematographers! I noticed that some of the killings have had blood-spatter digitally added - it's incredibly obvious but since most of the deaths were nowhere near as messy as they should have been it sort of helps. There are all sorts of rumours going around on the internet that this is an "up-scaled Standard Definition" version of the film. I've not seen anyone provide convincing evidence either way on that, and personally I found the director's cut picture quality to be excellent compared to the DVD release.

One scene in the Director's Cut sticks out as looking utterly un-restored; I'm not sure if they tried and failed or somehow missed it. When Mitsuko takes Hirono's gun after their confrontation in Megumi's shack, and Hirono turns to run, it is clearly obvious that the footage has not been touched. Doesn't really make much difference, it just sticks out like a sore thumb when the rest of the film has been polished to such a shine.

In conclusion, if you are any kind of a fan then for the price you simply cannot get a better presentation of this unique and epic film. You should definitely buy this before the 10,000 copies are gone for good. I am so glad I bought this set, and even though I am not that fond of the sequel I'll be buying that film too if it gets the same treatment! This special edition set is truly essential, and it's how all special editions should be put together - with the appropriate care, attention to detail, and the deserved reverence!

I can appreciate it MAY sound like a bit of a back handed compliment nowadays, but Battle Royale is probably the best thing to come out of Japanese cinema in the last decade. A surprisingly powerful, dark look at what happens when a goverment becomes so desperate to gain control of an ever increasing level of crime and violence among it's younger citizenry that it resorts to truly extreme measures. Given the increase in youth crime and the increasing prevalance of thuggish youth gangs and delinquency across the UK the past few years, this movie's subject matter actually feels as though it is more relevant here today than it was way back when BR first came out, and while parts of it are a little flawed, the overall movie is surprisingly powerful stuff and deeply moving with it.

Set in 'alternate' present where the Japanese government, in an attempt to control delinquency among school children, introduces the 'Battle Royale' program. A cruel "game" where a trouble class selected via lottery is dumped on an abandoned island off the coast of Japan and fitted with explosive collars that will detonate in two days, killing them all... unless they all kill each other, in which case one of them gets to survive. The movie focuses on class , who, on school field trip are drugged and abducted by the military only to wake up on Battle Royale island with the collars around their necks and a disgruntled former teacher of theirs (Played fantastically by Japan's finest actor, Takeshi Kitano) with an axe to grind in charge of seeing to it they follow the "rules" of Battle Royale. After a brutal introduction to the program, the class are armed and thrown out into the deserted island one by one, where the movie then places primary focus on Shuya Nanahara, who is determined not to harm his fellow classmates and to protect his childhood friend, the timid bullying victim Noriko, no matter what. However, after witnessing people he thought he knew descend into a feral bloodlust, Shuya and Noriko are forced to place their trust in the mysterious transfer student Kawada as they attempt to survive and hang onto their humanity while slaughter rages all around them and another transfer student, the dangerously homicidal Kiriyama, stalks them and their classmates seemingly for the sheer fun of it.

BR is an absolutely intense film, with no amount of brutality or gore spared despite the young age of the characters and actors involved (No 30 year old "teenagers" as per the Hollywood formula here). It is a visually vicious experience that perhaps veers into ridiculously OTT territory at times, but still manages to shock on more than one occasion. There are also times where, sadly despite a master turn from Takeshi Kitano, the acting ability of the younger cast members falls flat and sometimes crosses a line into overacting. Saying that, there are SOME definite flashes of real brilliance from them, in particular the cold, brutal portrayal of Kiriyama, who doesn't actually speak during the film, is truly menacing, as is the murderous bloodlust of lead female antagonist Mitsuko. Really though, this isn't a film you'll be watching for a class in the finer nuances of how to act. It's a hardhitting, unrestrained exercise in brutality with an actual message and point behind it that really elevates it beyond cheap, controversy courting gore-porn... though if you just want to enjoy it like that, you can I suppose. In addition, the movie has a truly amazing soundtrack to it, with moving orchestral pieces used to superb effect throughout. Just note that although there are two versions of the film in this set, the theatrical cut really is the one to watch. The special edition may be longer, but the pacing isn't as good and the extra scenes add nothing to the movie. A couple actually take away from it in some ways.

This Blu-Ray set of this classic movie is an absolute steal it must be said. Three discs packed with content(All bonus material from all previous DVD releases is in here), a making of booklet, an exclusive comic book prequel and other assorted novelties all bound in a large, thick bound box... all for the price of a regular new BR disc. Bargain.

It's gory, it's OTT, it's heavy on what could be seen as cheap shocks, but this is still a masterful piece of cinema that manages to perfectly meld ultra violent visuals, close to the nerve subject matter, and a sometimes beautifully moving story in a way that you pretty much never see anywhere.

A true classic by any standards, but not for the faint hearted.

A perfect film that ought to be enjoyed by all that can manage to stomach the mature themes involved. Excellent picture, looks absolutely amazing and clear. Any fan would be more than pleased with this set. Very impressive extras are offered up. Get this before your only future option is 3D!!! The only possible complaint that I can think of is that the set is DVD case height as opposed to bluray case height; kinda makes the set "stand apart".
Basically a flawless set. Don't miss an opportunity to acquire this!!