As well as the existing 2010 released limited edition version of Battle Royale, Arrow Video are also bringing out a Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray edition in 2011 which will utilise the four-panel artwork slipcase packaging packaging format shared by many other AV releases. Here's the full lowdown...
BATTLE ROYALE
ONE DEAD. 41 TO GO.
Battle Royale is back. It’s time to return to the island and kill your friends, because the cult Japanese movie that defines twisted action and sickening violence is ready to shock you all over again.
In a world where teenagers have no respect and adults are losing control there can be only one solution: Battle Royale! Now, see what happens when you let a high school class loose on an island, arm them and then give them a simple choice... Kill your friends or have them kill you; with poison, cross-bows, machetes and dynamite. ‘Beat’ Takeshi Kitano (Violent Cop, Zatoichi) is a teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges. Kidnapped and gassed, his class wake up with exploding metal rings around their necks. If they rebel, they could lose their heads. Now they have three days and only one is permitted to survive this grisly battle to the death.
Directed by the master of 70s Yakuza thrillers Kinji Fukasaku and featuring Kill Bill star Chiaki Kuriyama, Battle Royale is the movie that helped to define extreme Asian cinema in the 21st Century.
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DVD:
THIS AMAZING EDITION CONTAINS:
- 2 panel reversible sleeve containing original artwork
- 32 page comic Battle Royale: Parent's Day An all-new exclusive comic! Two children find out ahead of time that their class is to be the latest selection for the lethal Battle Royale program. Instead of arriving at school, they choose to run - but will they survive?
- Collector’s booklet by Tom Mes, author of ‘The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film’ illustrated with stills, artwork and a printed interview with director Kinji Fukasaku
- Fold-out reversible poster of original artwork
3 DISC SET FEATURES:
- Brand new glorious high definition restored transfer of both films
- Brand new subtitle translation on both features
DISC 1 – THEATRICAL CUT: SPECIAL FEATURES
- Original theatrical trailer
- The making of Battle Royale: The Experience of 42 High School Students
DISC 2 – SPECIAL EDITION [DIRECTOR’S CUT]: SPECIAL FEATURES
- Special Edition Trailer
- TV Spot: Tarantino Version
- Shooting the Special Edition
- Takeshi Kitano Interview
- The Correct Way to Make Battle Royale [Birthday Verion]
- Tokyo International Film Festival Presentation
- Conducting Battle Royale with the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
DISC 3 – SPECIAL FEATURES
- Opening Day at Marunouchi Toei Movie Theatre
- The Slaughter of 42 High School Students
- Premiere 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 Fukasaku Trailer Reel
Dolby Digital 5.1, Stereo Audio options.
Theatrical Cut running time 109 mins, Director's Cut 117 mins
DVD Region 2
DVD RRP £24.99
Battle-Royale-SE_BR_slip_72dpi.jpg
Blu-ray:
THIS AMAZING EDITION CONTAINS:
- 4 panel reversible sleeve containing original artwork
- 32 page comic Battle Royale: Parent's Day An all-new exclusive comic! Two children find out ahead of time that their class is to be the latest selection for the lethal Battle Royale program. Instead of arriving at school, they choose to run - but will they survive?
- Collector’s booklet by Tom Mes, author of ‘The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film’ illustrated with stills, artwork and a printed interview with director Kinji Fukasaku
- Fold-out reversible poster of original artwork
3 DISC SET FEATURES:
- Brand new glorious high definition 1080p restored transfer of both films
- Brand new subtitle translation on both features
DISC 1 – THEATRICAL CUT: SPECIAL FEATURES
- Original theatrical trailer
- The making of Battle Royale: The Experience of 42 High School Students
DISC 2 – SPECIAL EDITION [DIRECTOR’S CUT]: SPECIAL FEATURES
- Special Edition Trailer
- TV Spot: Tarantino Version
- Shooting the Special Edition
- Takeshi Kitano Interview
- The Correct Way to Make Battle Royale [Birthday Verion]
- Tokyo International Film Festival Presentation
- Conducting Battle Royale with the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
DISC 3 – SPECIAL FEATURES
- Opening Day at Marunouchi Toei Movie Theatre
- The Slaughter of 42 High School Students
- Premiere 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 Fukasaku Trailer Reel
5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Stereo Audio options.
Blu-ray Theatrical Cut running time 114 mins, Director's Cut 122 mins
DISCS 1 & 2 - Blu-ray Region B
DISC 3 - DVD Region 2
Blu-ray RRP £28.99
Release date 28th February 2011
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