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[Theatrical Title - TOP - Director's Cut Title - BOTTOM]
(aka "Batoru Rowaiairu" )
directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Japan 2000
Pop quiz: What would happen if someone, say a Japanese filmmaker
named Kinji Fukasaku, threw TV’s Survivor, cinema’s
The Running
Man, and literature’s
Lord of the Flies into a big cinematic pot
and stirred? Yup, you’d have Battle Royale, a Japanese film
about a class of ninth graders who, according to a newly passed
law called the BR (Battle Royale), must go to an obscure island
and participate in an decidedly sick and deadly game. *** In a future where society is on the verge of collapse, the government takes drastic action against the problem of rebellious teenagers in this violent sci-fi opus from Japan. In the year 2002, Japan's economy has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, and massive unemployment and inflation have thrown most adults into a state of chaos; the nation's youth culture responds with unprecedented violence, delinquency, and truancy. Desperate to restore order, the Japanese parliament responds by creating the Millennial Reform School Act, in which groups of junior high students are selected at random, sent to an isolated island, and forced to play a rigorous war game, in which all but one of their number are killed. Kitano (Beat Takeshi) is an embittered school instructor who guides the 44 students of the Zentsuji Middle School's Class B through the deadly game known as "Battle Royale," as they struggle to survive against the elements and each other. Battle Royale proved to be both successful and highly controversial in Japan, where it set box-office records and prompted political leaders to call for stricter controls on violence in Japanese entertainment; the film was initially rated R-15 (no one under 15 admitted), unusual for violent films in Japan, though director Kinji Fukasaku later prepared a re-edited version that earned a more lenient classification. *** In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation's youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left. Chiaki Kuriyama (KILL BILL) and screen legend Takeshi Kitano (BOILING POINT, BROTHER) star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed and banned around the world. More than a decade later, it remains one of the most savage, shocking and emotionally powerful films of all time. Now experience the complete Director's Cut of Kinji Fukasaku's uncompromising masterpiece -- nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards -- available uncensored and unrated for the first time ever in America. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: 16 December 2000
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Arrow Video (3-disc LE - Theatrical Cut + Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Arrow Video (3-disc LE - Theatrical Cut + Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for the DVD Screen Caps!
Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Arrow Video Region 0 - PAL |
Arrow Video Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Anchor Bay Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime |
Theatrical: 1:49:08 (4% PAL speedup) Director's Cut: 1:56:52 (4% PAL speedup) |
Theatrical: 1:53:51.866 Director's Cut: 2:01:56.350 |
Director's Cut: 2:02:09.322 |
Video |
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate (Director's Cut): 5.54 mb/s |
Theatrical Disc Size: 34,921,807,037 bytes Feature Size: 30,576,715,776 bytes Average Bitrate: 27.96 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P
Director's Cut Disc Size: 35,266,117,870
bytes Feature Size: 32,246,071,296 bytes
Average Bitrate: Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P |
Director's Cut Disc Size: 40,768,956,247 bytes Feature Size: 39,971,192,832 bytes Average Bitrate: 29.92 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut)
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Bitrate:
Arrow Video (Director's Cut Blu-ray)
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Bitrate:
Arrow Video (Director's Cut)
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Bitrate:
Arrow Video (Director's Cut Blu-ray)
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Bitrate:
Anchor Bay (Director's Cut Blu-ray)
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Audio | Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1; Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo |
DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese 4375 kbps 5.1 / 48
kHz / 4375 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese 3813 kbps 5.1 / 48
kHz / 3813 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
24-bit) |
Dolby TrueHD Audio Japanese 4318 kbps 7.1 / 48
kHz / 4318 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps) Dolby TrueHD Audio English 3703 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3703 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps) |
Subtitles | English, none | English, none | English, none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Arrow Video Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
• DISC TWO: Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Arrow Video
Theatrical Disc Size: 34,921,807,037 bytes Feature Size: 30,576,715,776 bytes Average Bitrate: 27.96 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P
Director's Cut Disc Size: 35,266,117,870 bytes Feature Size: 32,246,071,296 bytes Average Bitrate: 27.99 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P
Edition Details:
• Blu-ray
TWO (Director's Cut):
DISC THREE (DVD):
• PAPER EXTRAS: 32-page comic, 36 page booklet, 16 page booklet, 5x7 postcards, fold-out reversible poster
Blu-ray
Release Date: December 13th,
2010 Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Anchor Bay
Director's Cut Disc Size: 40,768,956,247 bytes Feature Size: 39,971,192,832 bytes Average Bitrate: 29.92 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 1080P
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date: March 20th,
2012 Chapters 12 |
Comments |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Anchor - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - (March 2012) - This is a 1.78:1 1080P transfer and this Blu-ray disc contains only the Director’s cut of the film. The simultaneously released Battle Royale Complete Collection (Blu-ray/DVD) by Anchor Bay has an extra DVD disc of supplements and features both cuts (Theatrical and Director's Cut) of the film as well as the sequel, Battle Royale II.I'm unsure of what the film should look like - but the new Anchor Bay Blu-ray is notably brighter than the Arrow DC in HD. It has a slight technical edge and, personally, I prefer the appearance with skin tones and colors looking much truer. Contrast improves and has more layers. The original Japanese language is in a capable 7.1 Dolby TrueHD at a dynamic 4318 kbps. It sounds fine if marginally more hollow than the Arrow DTS-HD Master. The Masamichi Amano score is very pleasing - tight and supportive of the film. There are surprising separations and a healthy bass response. Anchor Bay have included an, untried, English DUB also in lossless and optional English subtitles. There are no extras at all.
I suspect
that true fans who don't own the Arrow, or who are very
discerning about the image, should nab the
Battle Royale Complete Collection (Blu-ray/DVD).
It seems to offer a significant value at only $12 more - at the
writing of this review. Again, it
offers an extra DVD disc of supplements and features both cuts
(Theatrical and Director's Cut) of the film as well as the
sequel, Battle Royale II.
Those who like the film or who have not yet indulged could opt for
this bare-bones Anchor Bay
Blu-ray.
I always tend to see a little more in this film each time I
watch - it never grows really stale.
***
Eric's comments below are valid about the theatrical and DC appeared being separated mostly by marginal brightness. Otherwise there is not a lot between the same format transfer excepting the additional 6-minutes. Both Blu-ray transfers are dual-layered with decent bitrates and are 1080P. Unlike the DVD set these are in full running time - not influenced by PAL speed-up. The Blu-ray image looks a bit more polished, less digital artifacts and some subtle depth. It's improvement over SD will be more noticeable to those with discerning systems and who identify and are sensitive to PAL speed-up. It is not the crispest video we have seen from the format but I believe it is faithful to the best available sources. Both Blu-ray versions are clean and appeared notably more dynamic - easily identifiable as high-definition. The audio takes a significant jump forward - both with lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master tracks, in original Japanese, at a healthy 4375 kbps for theatrical and 3813 kbps for the DC. I sampled scenes from both Blu-rays and couldn't distinguish significant differences but the aggression, bass and separation had some solid intent. This is definitely the most impacting I have ever heard Battle Royale sound. Both editions sport optional English subtitles (see samples below) and I can verify that both Blu-rays are region free with all supplements playable on a region A-locked player. Extras are discussed below however the Blu-ray has them with no PAL speed-up and some are in HD. While Eric and I have only the screener discs - we are comfortable in publishing that included are a 32-page comic, 36 page booklet, 16 page booklet, 5x7 postcards and fold-out reversible poster - as advertised. Definitely this is the definitive package for fans of Battle Royale. Those keen should snap this extensive boxset up as I have a feeling the 10,000 limit won't last long - although may eventually be, further, expanded as the film has such a huge following. *** ON THE DVDs: While none of the video extras are new, Arrow's Limited Edition appears to have combined every stray extra feature from the various DVD editions - with English subtitle translation - combined with HD mastered transfers of the Theatrical Cut and Director's Cuts (a Blu-ray Limited edition - expanded from 5000 to 10,000, the DVD edition has only 5000 copies). Several - but not all - of the extras were available on Tartan's previous Region 2 NTSC-encoded 2-disc set but that transfer was single-layer. Unlike their upcoming Blu-ray of DEEP RED, the Theatrical Cut and Director's Cut appear to be different transfers rather than reconstructions. Contrast is ever-so-slightly different between the two transfers with the theatrical cut looking a tad brighter (although black levels look better than the previous compared editions going by the screenshots). 5.1 options are immersing (both versions also feature a 2.0 stereo downmix). Disc 1 features the 50 minute making-of documentary and the film's trailer. The rest of the extras are scattered randomly between Disc 2 and 3 (the special edition trailer is on Disc 2 with the director's cut but the promos and TV spots are on Disc 3 while one featurette about the score is on Disc 2 and another on Disc 3). The Disc 3 extras have a "Play All" option (which would have been nice for the Disc 2 extras). A Yakuza trailer gallery is also featured on Disc 3 and all of the trailers are subtitled. A 3 disc Special Edition from Arrow has been announced for February 2011. It appears that the only features limited to this set that will not be carried over to the 2011 set are some of the essays in the booklet (none of the paper extras were supplied with the check discs for review). Non-Blu-ray fans of the film who want to upgrade (or who don't have a decent version yet) might pick up either version while diehard fans will want to go for the Limited version. The Limited version retails for ₤2 more than the 2011 edition but the pre-order price for the limited is currently less than the pre-order of the February 2011 one at Amazon. |
Menus
(Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) -
Region 0 - PAL - LEFT vs. Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0
- PAL - RIGHT)
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(Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - LEFT vs. Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT)
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray SECOND 3) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD4) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
Subtitle Sample
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1) Warner (France) - Region 2- PAL - TOP 2) Tartan - R0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Universe - R3 - NTSC - THIRD4) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - FOURTH 5) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FIFTH 6) Starmax (Korea) Director's Cut - Region 0 - NTSC - SIXTH 7) Tartan Director's Cut - Region 0 - PAL - SEVENTH8) Cream (Korea) Director's Cut - Region 0 - NTSC - EIGHTH9) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - NINTH10) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TENTH 11) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray SECOND 3) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD4) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray SECOND 3) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD4) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray SECOND 3) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD4) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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More Arrow Video (Theatrical Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray Captures
1) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
1) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
1) Arrow Video (Director's Cut) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Anchor Bay (Director's Cut) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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