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

Firstly, the 4 films are divided on the 3 dual-layered Blu-ray discs as follows:

Blu-ray 1) The theatrical cut of Eros + Massacre (1969) running 2 3/4 hours.

Blu-ray 2) The director's cut of Eros + Massacre (1969) running 3 1/2 hours.

Blu-ray 3) Heroic Purgatory (1970) and Coup D'Etat (1973).

This is a limited edition (to only 3,000 copies) and the Blu-ray transfers are all in 1080P. There are also 4 DVDs, in the package, with the same content as the BDs.

I was very much looking forward to Eros and Massacre and watched the, 3 1/2 hour, 'Director's Cut' first. Absolute masterpiece. I was blown away with the film's complexities and obtuse narrative - I think it partially spoiled me for the shorter version - although the theatrical has superior video quality (more on that below). It evoked the cinema of Resnais, for me. I was also very impressed with Heroic Purgatory which frequently often made me think of Ingmar Bergman - another dense, visually expressive, work. I think it is the most art-infused Japanese film I have ever seen (I say that in a good way.) I am looking forward to indulging in this film again. It's also the best looking of the four. I had a bit more trouble with the more-directly political Coup D'Etat (the last film Yoshida made before taking a 13 year break from filmmaking) and I would probably benefit by watching that one again. Before going into detail - the extras were essential for me in helping follow, understand and appreciate these rarely seen works.  

Video: The three Blu-ray are all dual-layered. But even spreading the 3.5 hour Eros + Massacre Director's Cut over 47 Gig, naturally, produces a more modest bitrate and hence a weaker image than the shorter theatrical (on its own separate BD). It may also be the source. The two films are significantly different and seamless branching wouldn't have been plausible as certain scenes even seem framed differently. You can see instances where the DC doesn't handle the brightness as well as the theatrical (shower scene - exact frame match.) It's brighter and both are very textured. I trust this is the best both versions of Eros + Massacre can look for home theatre consumption. Heroic Purgatory looks impressive (the best of the three) - great contrast and strong in the 1.33:1 frame. Coup D'Etat is a bit more muddy but very consistent and entirely watchable - you can still discern that it is the higher resolution when in-motion. They are advertised as 'new high definition digital transfers supervised by Kiju Yoshida'.

Audio: is all liner PCM mono and there are no flagrant imperfections. These seem to be accurate-to-original audio transfers - flat but these scores, by Toshi Ichiyanagi (Hiroshi Teshigahara's Pitfall), Sei Ichiyanagi, are equally as unconventional as the narratives. Bizarre with tight high-ends but, no doubt, authentic representations. They work perfectly within the framework of the films. There are English subtitles for each film. The three Blu-ray discs are Region FREE - perhaps to be sold in the US at some point.

Supplements: On the first disc (Eros + Massacre theatrical) we get the 1/2 hour, French made, documentary Yoshida ...or: The Explosion of the Story - about Eros + Massacre with contributions from Yoshida and film critics Mathieu Capel and Jean Douchet. Arrow add their own supplements as well with excellent newly-filmed discussions of Eros + Massacre (Theatrical - 11:21 / Director's Cut 9:08) Heroic Purgatory (9:14), Coup d'etat (8:51) by David Desser, author of Eros Plus Massacre: An Introduction to the Japanese New Wave, recorded exclusively for this release. By the way there are also introductions to Heroic Purgatory and Coup d'etat by Yoshida running over 11-minutes in total. What is most informative and highly educational are scene-select commentaries by David Desser on all three films (8 for Eros Th. / 9 for Eros DC, 10 for Heroic, 7 for Coup D'Etat). They run anywhere from over a minute to as much as a dozen and are a great way to investigate and revisit certain scenes of the film. Very valuable - a solid addition in lieu of full-length commentaries that may have been impractical. Lastly, are trailers for all three films. The limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm and a hefty illustrated 80-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the films by Desser, Isolde Standish (author of Politics, Porn and Protest: Japanese Avant-Garde Cinema in the 1960s and 1970s) and Dick Stegewerns (author of Kiju Yoshida: 50 Years of Avant-Garde Filmmaking in Post-War Japan.)

Arrow are finishing the year with some incredible, limited edition, packages (see - Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats: Two Adaptations by Sergio Martino & Lucio Fulci). This is pure cinephile gold. Those who appreciate art-house or Japanese Cinema will have their hands full with this beauty. If you are keen - don't wait for it to go OOP. Get it for yourself for Christmas - well spent money! Very strongly recommended!    

Gary W. Tooze