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Edition: Restored
Genre: World Cinema
Sub-Genre: World Cinema
Region Code: Region B
Certificate: 18
Label: Arrow Video
Actors: Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano, Masanobu Ando, Taro Yamamoto, Sôsuke Takaoka, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Hirohito Honda, Eri Ishikawa, Sayaka Ikeda, Tomomi Shimaki, Aki Maeda, Kô Shibasaki, Chiaki Kuriyama
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Number of Discs: 2
Audio Languages: Japanese
Subtitle Languages: English
Presenting an alternate dystopian vision of turn-of-the-millennium Japan, Battle Royale follows the 42 junior high school students selected to take part in the government's annual Battle Royale programme, established as an extreme method of addressing concerns about juvenile delinquency. Dispatched to a remote island, they are each given individual weapons (ranging from Uzis and machetes to pan lids and binoculars), food and water, and the order to go out and kill each other. Every player is fitted with an explosive collar around their neck, imposing a strict three-day time limit on the deadly games in which there can only be one survivor. Overseeing the carnage is `Beat' Takeshi Kitano (Sonatine, Hana-bi, Zatoichi) as the teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges. Playing like a turbo-charged hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Most Dangerous Game, the final completed work by veteran yakuza-film director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honor and Humanity, Graveyard of Honor) helped launch a new wave of appreciation for Asian cinema in the 21st century.
Special Features: Behind the Scenes, Bonus Footage, Commentary: Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp (critics), Documentaries: 'Coming of Age: 'Battle Royale' at 20'; 'The Slaughter of 42 High School Students'; 'Conducting 'Battle Royale' With the Warsaw National Philharmonic'; 'Shooting the Special Edition'; 'Royale Rehearsals'; 'Masamichi Amano Conducts 'Battle Royale''; 'The Correct Way to Fight in 'Battle Royale''; 'The Correct Way to Make 'Battle Royale': Birthday Version'; 'Special Effects Comparison', Image Gallery, Interviews: Kenta Fukasaku (producer/screenwriter); Takeshi Kitano (actor), Making of Documentary, Original Theatrical Version and Special Edition Director's Cut included; Reversible sleeve; Premiere Press Conference; Tokyo International Film Festival Presentation; Opening Day at the Maunouchi Toei Movie Theatre, Trailers
