The Controversial ‘Battle Royale’ Throws Down on Blu-ray This March
You got to like it when you look at the PR clip included in this post and the You Tube page says “One of the most controversial films in history finally arrives! Battle Royale.” I don’t know about you, but I’m SOLD. Battle Royale and Battle Royale: The Complete Collection is available for the first time in North America on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on March 20th from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Mark your calendars. That date is coming up soon! In the meantime, check out the synopsis we have been provided below as well as two clips, a Red Band and a Behind The Scenes one. Enjoy!
BATTLE ROYALE. A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming The Hunger Games motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. Authors, filmmakers and film fans the world over consider the film and its 2003 sequel Battle Royale II: Requiem sacred cinematic classics. And now, fans can own them on high-definition Blu-ray and DVD!
SYNOPSIS
In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation’s youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left. Chiaki Kuriyama and screen legend Takeshi Kitano star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed and banned around the world. More than a decade later, it remains one of the most savage, shocking and emotionally powerful films of all time. Now experience the complete Director’s Cut of Kinji Fukasaku’s uncompromising masterpiece — nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards — available uncensored and unrated for the first time ever in America.
Having this before Hunger Games is pretty well-timed. I’ll just be happy to finally have it on Blu.
This was Quentin Tarantino’s favorite film of the 90’s.
I’ve had the UK limited edition for sometime now. It’s great that it’s stateside now.
It was his “favorite film, since he began directing in 1992”
I like the way I said it better, Aaron. 😉