The politics and rivalries of crime, business, and personal wants come to a head in Tai Kato’s lush 1965 yakuza melodrama Blood of Revenge, on its first Blu-ray via Radiance Films.
Blood of Revenge is an early Yakuza film, from 1965, directed by the incredibly prolific Tai Kato, as Japanese cultural cinema began to shift away from Samurai dramas to more modern films, although not fully modern, as this takes place in the Meiji era, 1907 in Osaka, specifically. Written by Gohei Kamiya, Akira Murao, andNorifumi Suzuki, Blood of Revenge is an engaging and moving film, but I’m going to note that even with the “Yakuza” designation, Blood of Revenge is more of a drama than it is a crime film, however, there are moments of tension, violence, and bloodshed. When they do occur, it’s shocking.
It’s a film about people vying for power over their circle of influence and the people moving within. When one syndicate attacks the leader of another, a no-no in their world, all connections, truces, and tributes are put in disarray. With the leader’s death, power transfers to a lieutenant over his son, but ultimately they want to go straight (cough, maybe, cough). But it’s not that easy, especially when men from either side both desire the same woman. Thus, a brooding tension builds as the pieces move around the board. Strong character work drives the men and women as they try to figure out the new setup of the world and how it will all play out. We know it’ll spiral down into competitive violence and big moments. Waiting and seeing how it works exceedingly well. I’ll be honest, at times I as little lost as to who was who and the particulars of what was happening. I put this on me, not the film; something was missed by me for cultural or historical understanding. However, I was still engaged. It’s the sort of thing where someone more versed in this niche of cinema would get far more out of, but I recognize what I see nonetheless.
I particularly want to point out the cinematography by Motoyo Washio. It is lush and entrancing. So many wonderful shots, often from low angles, with depth and care, built on wowing set design. with extreme popping colors not unlike Douglas Sirk and Pressman/Powell. It fits as the film is often more of a melodrama than a straight crime film.
Tai Kato’s Blood of Revenge is an example of an early yakuza film, focusing on the interpersonal travails of the business gangs and people within. With a fantastic look, a man so gorgeous, it’s a worthy watch for filling in the area of film history. At least that it does for me.
The Package
The limited edition of 3000 Blu-Ray comes in a see-through case, with a double-sided sleeve one side the original and the other, new artwork by Time Tomorrow. As is normal for Radiance, the case features no text outside of title/director, with synopsis and features listed on a removable card.
The Presentation
For Blood of Revenge’s first Blu-Ray release, it looks fantastic. As noted in the review, there are fantastic color choices and Powell/Pressman-like set-ups with detail and color, and they are great to see. The Audio is uncompressed mono PCM in Japanese, with English subtitles.
The Features
This particular package is a little light, but I liked what we have.
Lice are Scary – Short film by Tai Kato
I’m a fan of educational films, I love to watch them as shorts of MST3k or Rifftrax, and even unriffed. There’s something of a knowing cheesiness along with the earnestness in trying to provide knowledge differently. Well, this is a 14-minute film from 1943 about being aware of lice, with a dash of anti-Allies propaganda. I usually have seen anti-Axis shorts, so it was a nice change of pace.
Junko Fuji: Flower and Storm
A video essay by Mark Schilling about the career of Junko Fuji, the female lead of the movie. Not only does it function as her history, but it’s also a way to learn more about Japanese cinema across the decades. Enlightening (15m)
Booklet
Contains a new essay by Earl Jackson and an archival review of the film
Final Thoughts
Blood of Revenge is a fascinating early Yakuza melodrama. Radiance’s package looks fanastic with fine details and colors. While there are only 2 shorter special features, they are good ones and enhance the disc.