Well folks the classic Japanese genre flick BATTLE ROYALE just hit UK DVD shelves this past Monday (GET IT HERE) and what a package Arrow Films have put together for you! If you’re lucky enough to be residing in the UK then get ready to drop some coin for this bad boy!
So what exactly does Arrow Video have in store for you folks across the pond? Check it:
3 Discs including both the Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut, brand new subtitle translations, limited edition packaging numbered and a whole host of new and exclusive extra features. A 32-page comic called BATTLE ROYALE: PARENT’S DAY, a 32-page booklet (‘A Battle Without An End’ by Tom Mes, Author of ‘The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film’, Printed interview with Director Kinji Fukasaku, ‘Today’s Lesson is…You Kill Each Other’ by Jay McRoy, author of ‘Japanese Horror Cinema’ (LE Exclusive), extract from Koushan Takami’s original novel (LE Exclusive), original promotional material including Director’s statement, cast and crew biogs (LE Exclusive).), a 16-page booklet (Concept artwork and drawing for the limited edition set (LE Exclusive)), 5 x7″ Postcards of stills from the film (LE Exclusive) and a Fold-out reversible poster of original artwork.
Damn! Talk about a score! As far as the three-disc edition of the film here’s what you’ll find on each disk:
Disc One: Theatrical Cut; original theatrical trailer, the making of Battle Royale: The Experience of 42 High School Students, conducting Battle Royale with the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra.
Disc Two: Special Edition (Director’s Cut); Special edition trailer, TV Spot: Tarantino version, shooting the Special Edition, Takeshi Kitano interview, the correct way to make Battle Royale (Birthday version), Tokyo international film festival presentation.
Disc Three: Special Features; Opening day at Maro No Uchi Toei movie theatre, the slaughter of 42 high school students, premier press conference, the correct way to fight in Battle Royale, Royale rehearsals, Masamichi Amano conducts Battle Royale, special effects comparison, behind the scenes featurette, filming on set, TV spots, promos and commercials, Kinji Fukasaky trailer reel
And a description of PARENT’S DAY for you guys: A previous year, a previous Battle Royale. Class 3E from Zentsuji High School has been chosen for the year’s game of carnage. However, two students, Takashi and Tomomi, hve found out in advance that they are to be entered into the program and have planned an escape. As they go on the run in their home city, who can they trust and what fate awaits them for daring to break the rules? BATTLE ROYALE: PARENT’S DAY is an original, exclusive 32-page comic book written by Stefan Hutchinson and Barry Keating (‘DAY OF THE DEAD: DESERTION’ and ‘DEMONS 3’) and illustrated by Steph Stamb (‘SILENT HILL’).
And lastly if you scroll directly below you’ll find the first six pages of the comic, all slapped up for your viewing pleasure. Just click through on the shots to check out a larger shot.
So there you have it folks! A nice jam-packed BATTLE ROYALE update for you all today. So if you happen to be in the UK be sure to slap this little diddy on your Christmas list!
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