ADDITION: Criterion 4K UHD (May 2023): Criterion's are releasing Seijun Suzuki's "Branded to Kill" in 4K UHD. An opening screen states: "This film was digitally restored in 2022, based on a 35mm original negative preserved by NIKKATSU CORPORATION." Included in the package as a second disc with the feature (in 1080P) and extras is Criterion's 2011 Blu-ray compared to DVDs and Arrow's Blu-ray HERE. Like a few discs in this 4K UHD format - ex. Masters of Cinema's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, ClassicFlix's I, the Jury, Criterion's In the Mood For Love, Night of the Living Dead 4K UHD and Kino's 4K UHDs of The Apartment, For a Few Dollars More , A Fistful of Dollars, In the Heat of the Night, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as well as Koch Media's Neon Demon + one of the 4K UHD transfers of Dario Argento's Suspiria, this does not have HDR applied (no HDR10, HDR10+, nor Dolby Vision.) In 1999, Criterion did one of their early DVDs (spine #38) that was a far cry from the 1080P, but likewise this new 2022 4K digital restoration looks even better than the Blu-rays. Contrast is brilliantly layered with deeper black levels and more pure whites. Detail advances in the 2160P and the overall consistently textured image is flawless without blemishes or speckles. This is a very impressive 4K UHD presentation - for those familiar with the film, it can pristine.

NOTE: 64 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)  

On their 4K UHD, Criterion use the same linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Japanese language - as found on their 2011 Blu-ray and Arrow's 2014 BD. "Branded to Kill" is filled with various types of brutal violence that comes through authentically flat but with impacting bass. The, much-discussed, score is by Naozumi Yamamoto (Outlaw: Gangster VIP, Massacre Gun, Gate of Flesh and many of Yoji Yamada's Tora-San series) including Killing Blues sung by Atsushi Yamatoya. The score coolly supports "Branded to Kill" varying between minimalist subtleties and typically bombastic irreverence with the use of harmonica, jazzy drums and prosaic harpsichord. Like the video - this is also a flawless transfer. Criterion include optional English subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are no extras on the 4K UHD disc. The included second disc Blu-ray, is the Criterion one from 2011 which offers the film in 1080P with a video piece (July 2011) featuring separate interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu who recall the production and release of Branded to Kill for over a dozen minutes in HD. There is also a 10-minute interview with actor Joe Shishido - star of Branded to Kill - also recorded this year and a March 1997 interview with Suzuki recorded during a retrospective of his work by the Japanese Foundation and Los Angeles FilmForum at the Nuart Theater in L.A. Lastly we get a 3-minute HD trailer and a booklet featuring an essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns.

Criterion's 4K UHD release of Seijun Suzuki's "Branded to Kill" is a very appreciated bump beyond the older Blu-rays in terms of image - via the new 2022 4K restoration. Opting away from HDR appears to be the correct move - it looks absolutely perfect. Against studio wishes, Suzuki infused "Branded to Kill" with rebellious disorder, and multiform visuals that satirically subvert noir and spy-film genres reminiscent of Samuel Fuller delirium. Professional killer Gorô Hanada (Jô Shishido) is entranced by femme fatale Misako - played hypnotically by Indian/Japanese actress Annu Mari with an inscrutable cold stare. "Branded to Kill" is filled with rated hitmen, dead butterflies, seduction, nudity (notably Mariko Ogawa - in her only significant film role,) fetishes, paranoia, mariticide, alcoholism etc. marinating in perverse exaggerations - elevating Nikkatsu's low-budget B movie to the stuff of pop-art aesthetic cinema legend. This makes a unbeatable case for adopting the new format. There are only three reason for any cinephile not to own the 4K UHD - they are either drunk, insane, or both. Our highest recommendation.   

Gary Tooze