Firstly, a massive thank you to our Patreon supporters. These supporters have become the single biggest contributing factor to the survival of DVDBeaver. Your assistance is essential to our survival.

 

What do Patrons receive, that you don't?

 

1) Our weekly Newsletter and Calendar Updates sent to your Inbox!
2) Access to over 100,000 unpublished screen captures in lossless high-resolution format!

 

Please consider keeping us in existence with a couple of dollars or more each month (your pocket change! / a coffee!) so we can continue to do our best in giving you timely, thorough reviews, calendar updates and detailed comparisons. I am indebted to your generosity.


 

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Odoshi" or "The Threat")

 

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Japan 1966

 

The Threat is a gritty crime drama in the vein of Kurosawa’s High and Low, set against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing Japan that has left many of its citizens behind.

Misawa (Rentarō Mikuni, Fugitive from the Past, Vengeance is Mine) appears to lead a charmed life, the very model of Japan’s post-war economic miracle. His position as the account manager of a prestigious advertising agency is enough to pay the mortgage on the spacious modern house he shares with his wife (Masumi Harukawa, Intentions of Murder) and their two young boys, kitted out with all the latest mod-cons. Then one day, the fragility of his existence is revealed when two violent jail-breakers turn up on his doorstep seeking refuge and threatening to embroil Misawa in their criminal activities.

Arrow Video presents this little-seen early masterpiece from Kinji Fukasaku, the future director of Battles Without Honor and Humanity and Battle Royale, for the very first time outside of its own country in a stunning new transfer.

***

Two escaped criminals who kidnapped a baby break into the house of Misawa, a man who works in an advertising agency and lives quietly with his family. They will force him to collect the child's ransom for them.

Poster

Theatrical Release: February 17th, 1966

Reviews                                                   More Reviews                                             DVD Reviews

 

Review: Arrow - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Arrow - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:23:54.376        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,240,422,013 bytes

Feature: 22,181,574,520 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.93 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Arrow

 

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,240,422,013 bytes

Feature: 22,181,574,520 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.93 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Brand new audio commentary by Japanese film expert Tom Mes
Warning Warning Danger Danger, a brand new 20-minute video appreciation by critic and Japanese film specialist Mark Schilling (18:42)
Original theatrical trailer (2:31)
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Hayley Scanlon
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella


Blu-ray Release Date: September 24th, 2024

Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 10

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (September 2024): Arrow have transferred Kinji Fukasaku's The Threat to Blu-ray. The hour-23-minute film is on a dual-layered disc with a very high bitrate. The 1080P exports a predictably heavy image - dusty contrast with dark overtones but well rendered. The image quality is consistent and clean. I'd estimate that it is a strong replication of its theatrical roots. 

NOTE: We have added 44 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Arrow use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Japanese language. The Threat has a few aggressive moments that come through authentically flat with minor bass response. The score was by Isao Tomita (Wolves, Pigs and Men, Demon Pond, Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman, The Hidden Blade), and it exports a jazzy feel that adds a unique edge. Dialogue is clean and clear. Arrow offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Arrow Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Tom Mes (Japanese Film and the Challenge of Video.) Tom covers plenty on the film, the studio, Fukasaku's penchant for the Yakuza genre (that this is not) , cast; Rentarō Mikuni, Kō Nishimura, Masumi Harukawa etc. His perspective and detail are always appreciated. Warning Warning Danger Danger is a new 20-minute video appreciation by critic and Japanese film specialist Mark Schilling (Art, Cult and Commerce: Japanese Cinema Since 2000.) He discusses the director Kinji Fukasaku's work as well as Kurosawa, Katô Tai (I, the Executioner, Eighteen Years in Prison, By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him) and others who share a similarity with this effort. Lastly is an original theatrical trailer and the package has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella, an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Hayley Scanlon and a double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella.   

Kinji Fukasaku's The Threat evokes William Wyler's suburban noir The Desperate Hours with Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March. The home invasion characteristics bring into play cowardice, desperation, a dangerous criminal element, assault and an ever present suspense. Can the father/husband protagonist become the courageous, machismo, hero that we crave? It's quite an engaging, and fairly unique, film. I am very happy with the Arrow Blu-ray for this new viewing experience with authentic a/v, a solid commentary, video appreciation, booklet and more. Another exceptional package from them. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze

 


Menus / Extras

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

 
Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Arrow - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

 CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!