Arrow Video - Battle Royale - The 2011 Special Edition Specs

[Almar@Cult Labs]

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.

Battle-Royale-SE_DVD_Slip_72dpi.jpg

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

To spread this news onto other forums and sites here's a handy shortlink back to this story: http://cult-labs.com/a/BR2011

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Looks sweet. One question though, is there any reason for the dvd only getting 2-panel artwork? I seem to recall the Day Of The Dead dvd being the same.


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[Almar@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

Looks sweet. One question though, is there any reason for the dvd only getting 2-panel artwork? I seem to recall the Day Of The Dead dvd being the same.


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This is when Arrow need to use digi-packaging in order to fit everything in.

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Almar@Cult Labs

This is when Arrow need to use digi-packaging in order to fit everything in.

Yes, I see what you mean, it is fairly packed with lots of goodies and extra features.


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[DaveSimonH]

DISCS 1 & 2 Region B DISC 3 PAL DVD Region 2

Region B locked?
If so why the change from ABC on the LE discs?

[Almar@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

Region B locked?
If so why the change from ABC on the LE discs?

The licensor has demanded it.

[brain dead]

Love that cover.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

Region B locked?
If so why the change from ABC on the LE discs?

Originally Posted by Almar@Cult Labs

The licensor has demanded it.

Out of curiosity, why did Toei even allow a Region ABC set in the first place? Aren't the Japanese terrified of parallel importing?

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by brain dead

Love that cover.

Best part is its only 1 of 4, I can't wait to see the others.

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Out of curiosity, why did Toei even allow a Region ABC set in the first place? Aren't the Japanese terrified of parallel importing?

I'd assume it was because of its Limited status, even 10,000 aren't that much in the grand scheme.

Well for non region B areas the Limited set is still in stock at play.com and hmv.com (Amazon appear to have ran out) so if they have region locked players they either buy now, wait for the ebay resellers to fleece them or wait for the Anchor Bay release.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

What was the Arrow DVD of BR I saw in HMV the other week then Almar?

Or am I going bonkers?

Positive it said 'Special Edition'-it was on the Arrow Films label though....