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

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (June 2025): 88 Films has transferred Hideo Gosha's Gate of Flesh to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a maxed out bitrate. Gosha and cinematographer Yuko Morita adopt a grounded, naturalistic style that contrasts with Suzuki’s expressionistic approach, though they retain a sense of melodramatic flair. The film is shot in 1.85:1 widescreen, allowing for compositions that balance the desolation of the setting with the emotional intensity of the characters. Wide shots of Tokyo’s bombed-out ghetto - rubble, twisted metal, and windowless frames - create an apocalyptic atmosphere, while handheld shots during moments of violence (e.g., the ex-soldier’s clashes) add immediacy. Close-ups of the women’s faces, particularly during emotional confrontations, capture their anguish and resilience, emphasizing the physicality of their struggle. The color palette is vibrant in 1080P. Exterior scenes are dominated by grays, browns, and faded greens, capturing the desolation of post-war Tokyo. Inside the prostitutes’ hideout, warmer hues - bright red lipstick, oranges, and yellows from practical lighting (e.g., lanterns, fires) - create a sense of intimacy and refuge, though the palette never reaches the vibrant expressionism of Suzuki’s version. The HD presentation is clean with some texture. It is quite striking. A solid visual experience for fans of Gosha’s work.

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On their Blu-ray, 88 Films uses a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Japanese language. The sound design of Gate of Flesh blends naturalistic effects with a score by Moshifumi Izumimori (their only film credit) that mixes jazz and traditional Japanese elements, reflecting the cultural tensions of the era. The absence of intelligible dialogue in some scenes (a nod to Suzuki’s theatricality) is replaced with heightened emotional vocalizations, enhancing the primal energy of the narrative. The original mono audio track delivers a clear and effective listening experience with dialogue, music, and effects well-balanced. The raw, colloquial dialogue is audible, capturing the emotional intensity of the performances, while sound effects - like the chaos of the black market and the visceral violence, explosion - are punchy and immersive. 88 Films offers optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Amber T. and Jasper Sharp (Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema, The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film.) It is a detailed track exploring Gosha’s career, the film’s historical context, and its differences from Suzuki’s version. It is a valuable scholarly addition. There is also a brand-new filmed introduction by Earl Jackson (about 20 minutes,) where he delivers a detailed exploration of director Seijun Suzuki’s stylistic trademarks, the film’s provocative themes, and its significant place within the landscape of Japanese cinema, serving as an insightful primer for viewers. An exclusive interview with Toei tattoo artist Seiji Mouri (nearly a dozen minutes) offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into his work on Toei’s yakuza films, though it lacks a direct connection to this specific movie, adding a broader cultural context. The stills gallery (just over 3 minutes) presents a concise yet evocative collection of production stills and promotional images, preserving the film’s gritty aesthetic visually. Original promotional materials include a trailer (almost 2 minutes) and teaser (under a minute), both in Japanese, which highlight the film’s dramatic tension and historical setting, providing a nostalgic historical touch. The package is further enhanced by booklet essays from Robin Gatto (Lame d'un père, l'âme d'un sabre - a documentary about the making of the "Lone Wolf and Cub" film series) and Irene González-López (Tanaka Kinuyo: Nation, Stardom and Female Subjectivity,) with Gatto delving into the socio-political backdrop and González-López examining gender dynamics, offering scholarly depth, while the inclusion of original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady - a reversible sleeve (see below) - featuring classic Japanese designs alongside a fresh piece - elevates its collectible allure, making this release a comprehensive tribute to the film.

Hideo Gosha's Gate of Flesh unfolds as a melodrama with a focus on collective struggle rather than individual redemption, reflecting the cyclical nature of survival in a post-war wasteland. The central conflict revolves around one of the women, whose growing attachment to the soldier violates the group’s rules, leading to tension, betrayal, and violence. Unlike Suzuki’s 1964 version, which focuses heavily on Maya’s individual arc, Gosha’s adaptation emphasizes the collective psyche of the sisterhood, exploring how external threats (gangsters, occupiers) and internal conflicts (jealousy, desire) jeopardize their unity. The prostitutes’ reliance on their bodies for survival reflects Japan’s economic dependency on the occupiers, while the presence of American GIs and black marketeers highlights the loss of sovereignty. The 88 Films Blu-ray release of Gate Of Flesh (aka Carmen 1945) is a commendable presentation of Hideo Gosha’s adaptation, offering a high-definition transfer, faithful mono audio, and a robust set of extras. The video quality captures the gritty realism of post-war Tokyo, while the audio and subtitles ensure an immersive experience. The extras provide valuable context, making this release a must-have for fans of Gosha and Japanese cinema, and a worthy introduction to this overlooked adaptation. Recommended.

Gary Tooze