|
Outlaw Gangster VIP: The Complete Collection
[Blu-ray]
(Toshio Masuda, 1968 / Keiichi
Ozawa, 1968 / Mio Ezaki, 1968)
(Keiichi Ozawa, 1968 /
Keiichi Ozawa, 1968 / Keiichi Ozawa, 1969)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production:
Theatrical: Nikkatsu
Video: Ar row Video
Disc:
Region: FREE (as verified by the
Oppo Blu-ray player)
Runtimes:
Gangster VIP - 1:33:26.142 / Gangster VIP 2 - 1:37:17.248 /
Heartless - 1:31:44.999
Goro the Assassin - 1:27:11.351 / Black Dagger -
1:26:17.922 / Kill! - 1:25:57.944
Case: Transparent Blu-ray case
Release date: April 18th-19th, 2016
Video:
Aspect ratio: 2.35-2.39:1
Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Subtitles:
English, none
Extras:
•
Limited Edition Box Set (3000
copies) containing all six films in the Outlaw series,
available with English subtitles for the first time on any
home video format
•
High Definition digital
transfers of all six films, from original film elements by
Nikkatsu Corporation
•
High Definition Blu-ray
(1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
•
Original uncompressed mono
audio
•
Audio commentary on Outlaw:
Gangster VIP by Jasper Sharp
•
Visual essay covering the
entire series by Kevin Gilvear (An Outlaw Odyssey 23:57)
•
Original trailers for all six
films (3:09, 2:35, 2:36, 2:57, 2:59, 3;15)
•
Extensive promotional image
galleries for all six films
•
Exclusive gatefold packaging
featuring brand new artwork by Tonci Zonjic
•
Booklet featuring an interview
with director Toshio Masuda by Mark Schilling, plus new
writing by Schilling, Chris D and Kevin Gilvear
3 DVDs - same content as
Blu-rays
Bitrates:
Gangster VIP
| |
Gangster VIP
aka 'Burai yori daikanbu' (1968) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
49,519,908,107 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
22,433,080,704 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
27.99 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
Gangster VIP 2
| |
Gangster VIP
2 aka 'Daikanbu - burai' (1968) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
49,519,908,107 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
23,129,220,672 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
27.92 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Heartless
| |
Heartless (1968) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
46,854,486,743 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
23,289,112,128 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
29.98 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Goro the Assassin
| |
Goro the
Assassin (1968) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
46,854,486,743 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
22,137,474,624 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
29.99 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Outlaw -
Black Dagger
| |
Outlaw -
Black Dagger (1968) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
45,140,491,883 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
21,837,915,264 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
29.87 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Outlaw - Kill
| |
Outlaw -
Kill (1969) |
| |
Arrow Films |
|
Disc Size:
|
45,140,491,883 bytes |
|
Feature Size: |
21,756,154,176 bytes |
|
Video Bitrate:
|
29.88 Mbps - 2.35:1 |
|
Chapters:
|
12 |
|
Audio:
|
LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz /
1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Description: In 1968, acclaimed director Toshio Masuda
(Rusty Knife,
Tora! Tora! Tora!) and rising star Tetsuya Watari (Tokyo Drifter) teamed up for Outlaw: Gangster VIP,
a gritty yakuza yarn based on the writings of real life
ex-gangster Goro Fujita.
The series offers up a depiction of the Japanese underworld
that was unprecedented in its realism and its sympathetic
portrayal of its protagonist as a man haunted by his past,
unable to escape a life of crime. The success of the initial
installment spawned five sequels, continuing the story of
the lone wolf Slasher Goro and his quest for redemption.
The films presented a new kind of realism and violence that
would prefigure Kinji Fukasaku's
Battles Without Honor and Humanity series, with
their winning combination of brutal violence, gang warfare
and sweeping romance, these films make for a unique and
unforgettable viewing experience.
The set includes six films in the Outlaw series released for
the first time in the west: Gangster VIP, Gangster VIP 2,
Heartless, Goro the Assassin, Black Dagger, and
Kill!
Titles
The Films:
Gangster VIP
The film stars Tetsuya Watari who plays Goro, a gangster who was sent to
prison for three years for stabbing a hitman (Machida Kyosuke) who
belonged to the rival gang called the Aokis. On his release from prison,
Goro finds out his gang is in decline and learns that the hitman he
stabbed is still alive.
* **
Crime doesn't pay as can be seen in this Japanese crime drama. A
streetwalker's son grows up in a Japanese ghetto and becomes a prominent
member of the yakuza, but eventually he tires of corruption and
violence. He decides to reform and return to his family, but by the
story's end discovers that good intentions are no substitute for final
justice.
Excerpt
from MRQE located HERE
Gangster VIP 2
Wherever he goes, trouble follows Goro like a shadow. Continuing in the
storyline of its predecessor, the film begins with Tetsuya Watari
heading north to Aomori to make amends for his past wrongdoings.
Co-director of the first film, Keiichi Ozawa marks a stunning
directorial debut with "Gangster VIP 2”.
Goro (Tetsuya Watari) wants to put his dark past behind. He heads to
Hirosaki City to offer his condolences to Yumeko and to reunite with
Yukiko (Chieko Matsubara), but finds that Yumeko is fatally ill.
Although Yukiko was taking care of her, she is pressed for money. Goro
wants to help and knows that there is only one way to come up with fast
money.
Excerpt
from Nikatsu.com located HERE
Heartless
Known as one of the pioneers to establish the Nikkatsu "mood action"
genre, Mio Ezaki incorporates road movie scenes with a new theme song
sung by Tetsuya Watari, bringing a new flare to the third installment of
the "Outlaw" series. This film is based on the confessions of
ex-gangster Goro Fujita, who also composed the lyrics for the theme
song.
Goro Fujikawa (Tetsuya Watari) was indebted to Mitsugimoto. Sawada, a
low rank yakuza with a gambling problem, owed Mitsugimoto three million
yen. This equation can only lead to one answer. Mitsugimoto needs to pay
and Goro's coming to collect.
Excerpt
from Nikatsu.com located HERE
Goro the Assassin
To fulfill a prison mate's dying wish, and to right what is wrong, Goro
will kill again. Tetsuya Watari meets his archenemy Shuusuke Shirayama,
a rival gangster who also wants to part with the yakuza ways. Keiichi
Ozawa returns to direct the fourth part of the "Outlaw" series.
On a cold winter day, Goro Fujikawa (Tetsuya Watari) and Masahiko murder
the mob boss of Meishin-Kai. The deed costs them time in prison, but
Goro had no shred of regret. When Goro is released 2 years later,
Masahiko is dying in prison hospital and entrusts his last wish; "find
my sister and take care of her." Goro leaves as a free man with a
mission, but soon finds that he might have been better off in jail.
Excerpt
from Nikatsu.com located HERE
Black Dagger
"Black Dagger" is the fifth successful installment of the
"Outlaw" series. This movie premiered in theaters on December 28th 1968,
only one month after the release of "Goro the Assassin". With stop
motion visual effects and calm narratives of Tetsuya Watari decorating
the fight scenes, this yakuza classic remains as a favorite amongst many
Nikkatsu noir fans.
A street war breaks loose between two rival gangs in the Kansai region
of Japan. Goro (Tetsuya Watari) is in the middle of action. Through a
knife fight against Sueo, a high profile gangster from Busou-kai, Goro
notices a familiar face approaching him from amidst the chaos - his
girlfriend, Yuri (Chieko Matsubara). Goro had sent her to safety, but
she had returned, aching to see him. Caught between Goro and his enemy
knife, she reunites with her love - the price was her life.
Excerpt
from Nikatsu.com located HER
Kill!
New force joins the creators of the "Outlaw" series in this final
installment. Hideichi Nagahara, the scenario writer for "A Colt Is My
Passport" starring Joe Shishido, co-writes the script with Kanao
Ikegami. Although Goro is a known assassin, he has always been against
the ways of the yakuza. In "Outlaw Kill!" he deals with the dilemma of
living such a lifestyle more than ever: the sacrifices, the time wasted
in prison...
Goro (Tetsuya Watari) has always been a lone wolf. When he arrives at an
industrial city in Keihin, there is certain restlessness in the air. The
Iriezaki family and the Kanto Touyu-kai were in the midst of a
territorial dispute. Goro was quick to notice, but had no intent to take
sides. At a department store nearby, he sees an elevator lady being
harassed by a couple of hoodlums. Goro decides to intervene. Unbeknownst
to him, the hoodlums are Touyu-kai members – and the girl has strong
ties with the opposing family.
Excerpt
from Nikatsu.com located HER
Image :
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
Outlaw Gangster VIP: The
Complete Collection
is simultaneously released on
Blu-ray
in UK and North America by Arrow - and is limited to 3,000
units. There are 6 films in the Outlaw series on three dual-layered
Blu-ray
housing two films on each disc each including supplements.
Bitrates are high at approaching 30 mbps and the quality is
consistent.
The 1080P supports the six films in the 2.39:1 frame.
I didn't see any
damage and only some very minor speckles.
Generally, they are quite appealing looking and very similar to
others from the studio and era. There is some texture and no
bothersome noise. I saw instances exporting depth and colors
are bright and true - with a richness that connotes HD. This
Blu-ray
offers a lot of value with some impressive detail an each film appears to be a good
replication of a competent source.
CLICK EACH
BLU-RAY
CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IN FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION
VIP
VIP 2
Goro the Assassin
Outlaw - Black Dagger
Audio :
Arrow use a linear PCM mono tracks
(24-bit) for all six films. They are flat with a pinch of depth. There is
some plenty of aggression - usually in fighting with and without weapons
- but it is fairly modest in terms of being dynamic.
The scores are done by the likes of Harumi Ibe and
Naozumi
Yamamoto (Massacre
Gun, Branded
to Kill,
Gate of Flesh and many of
Yoji Yamada's Tora-San series) and there are some occasionally
jazzy riffs. All audio
sounds reasonably supportive - dialogue clear and
consistent enough not to make issue.
There are optional English subtitles (see samples) and my
Oppo
has identified
it as being a region
FREE.
Extras :
Arrow include
an excellent audio commentary on Outlaw: Gangster VIP by Jasper
Sharp incorporating valuable information in his discussion of the
production, series and studio. I was also quite impressed with the
23-minute visual essay covering the entire series by Kevin Gilvear. It
is entitled An Outlaw Odyssey. Spread throughout the three
Blu-rays are original
trailers for all six films as well as extensive promotional image
galleries including posters, stills etc. The package is quite something
- an exclusive gatefold packaging featuring brand new artwork by Tonci
Zonjic and it contains a booklet featuring an interview with director
Toshio Masuda by Mark Schilling, plus new writing by Schilling, Chris D
and Kevin Gilvear.
BOTTOM LINE:
Outlaw Gangster VIP: The Complete Collection
is a fabulous package by Arrow.
We get this infectious genre of films - following right in the
mould of Eclipse's
Nikkatsu Noir with its late sixties
crime-dramas all following a protagonist with similar themes
and characters. And we get six films on
Blu-ray! The a/v quality is a bonus and validates the set's value
- along with the extras. I was deeply immersed in the first
2 (VIP and VIP 2) and found further
charismatic style in Goro the Assassin and Black
Dagger. It carries through to the this entire,
appealing, genre of Japanese cinema that fans can easily
become addicted to. This is definitely a keeper and we give
it a very strong
recommendation!
Gary Tooze
April 26th, 2016
|
