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

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema Blu-ray (June 2024): Masters of Cinema have transferred the first three films of the Red Peony Gambler Series to Blu-ray; Kōsaku Yamashita's 1968 Red Peony Gambler (aka The Valiant Red Pony or Hibotan Bakuto,) and the two follow-up films, Norifumi Suzuki's Red Peony Gambler: Gambler's Obligation (aka "Hibotan bakuto: Isshuku ippan"), and the third (of eight in total) Tai Katō's 1969 Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Match (aka "Hibotan bakuto: Hanafuda shôbu") They are cited as being "from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei." These are spread over two dual-layered Blu-rays. The 1080P image quality is very strong. Most are bright, exceptionally clean (a few tiny speckles on Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Match, and slightly muted colors with Red Peony Gambler: Gambler's Obligation being the richest although that film ha a minor green leaning. Detail is strong and the 2.39:1 aspect ratio visuals looked fabulous on my system. There is limited grain but appealing depth. The darker sequences hold decent contrast. I thoroughly enjoyed my video viewing.

NOTE: We have added 150 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-rays, Masters of Cinema use linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original Japanese language. There are always human conflicts and surprising use of gunfire (mostly hand guns but also a rifle) that come through with authentically modest depth. The score for all three films is credited to the Japanese musician and composer Takeo Watanabe who has 138 listings for his music - used in multiple anime, television series and films including inviting titles like Confessions of Lady Mantis, Slaughter in the Snow, and Vicious Connection. Nice genre touches to his score. Dialogue is also consistent via the lossless transfer. Masters of Cinema offer optional English subtitles on their two Region 'B' Blu-rays. Without a region free option, North Americans will see:

The Masters of Cinema Blu-rays offer a new commentary for each of the three films. For The Valiant Red Pony (Red Peony Gambler) the commentary is by Chris Poggiali (These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World.) He provides informative background on the series, bio information on Junko Fuji and many of the cast. He makes the observation that this is the only film in the Gambler series that shows our protagonist with a flute. He discusses similar Yakuza genre films made around the timeframe including Kinji Fukasaku's 1971 Battles Without Honor & Humanity, The Female Scorpions films, Lady Snowblood Sonny Chiba efforts and many more. It's a well-researched commentary - great job Chris! For Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation the commentary is by Mike Leeder (editor of 100% Jackie Chan: The Essential Companion) and Arne Venema. They are able to expand on the gambling games played in the film, the tattoos, the cast with many extraneous examples. It is at their usual fun, informative level. The last commentary is for Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game and is by Tom Mes (The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film.) Tom identifies the low camera positions including the “tatami-mat” shot often used by Ozu, director Tai Katô (By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him, I, the Executioner), film theorist David Bordwell (RIP Feb 2024) author of Poetics of Cinema, who analyzed the editing of Ozu, the 180 degree rule of cinematography, the montage - moving from widescreen to close-ups, the hostile environment that our protagonist inhabits and much more. It is more academic than the other two commentaries and I really enjoyed his comments - as I always do with Mes. We also get 20-minutes of Tony Rayns on Red Peony Gambler – It is a brand new interview with the critic and Asian cinema expert. He talks about Yakuza films deviating from the myths and values of the past, the leader character as a wanderer, initially driven by revenge over the death of her father, the style choice use of the black backdrop, mise en scène, unsung master director Katō, close-ups ala Leone, and much more. There are also original trailers for each film (with burned-in English subtitles.) The package offers a limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju) and a collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Jennifer Coates (Making Icons: Repetition and the Female Image in Japanese Cinema, 1945–1964) and Joe Hickinbottom.   

Once again, where have I been? Knowing almost nothing about the Red Peony Gambler series. Wow - these are wonderful. I was enjoying my first exposure to the captivating Junko Fuji (Sumiko Fuji) as a knife and gun-wielding, independent, revenge-motivated female wanderer. I agree with Tony Rayns that the third installment, Tai Katō's 1969 Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Match, is the most appealing with the others laying essential groundwork for the titular character. Katō also directed numbers six and seven of the Red Peony Gambler series a few years later. I hope they are also brought to Blu-ray. I was only recently exposed to director Katô from Radiance Film's By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him, and I, the Executioner that I loved way out of proportion. So... sly, drop-dead, gorgeous, Junko Fuji (in the mid-1960s, she was the leading actress for Toei) and another Tai Katō gem has made my cinephile week. Masters of Cinema always do their Blu-ray packages right. These first three of the Red Peony Gambler series are no exception; impressive a/v, a commentary trifecta, Tony Rayns and booklet. More please. What a thrilling discovery. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze