Sex and Fury / Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Japan, 1973 (Sex and Fury, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Directors: Norifumi Suzuki (Sex and Fury), Teruo Ishii (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Cast: Reiko Ike, Christina Lindberg, Akemi Negishi, Jun Midorikawa (Sex and Fury), Reiko Ike, Makoto Aikawa, Arumi Kuri, Meika Seri, Jun Midorikawa, Emi Jô (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Release Date: July 5th, 2026
Approximate Running Times: 88 Minutes 33 Seconds (Sex and Fury), 85 Minutes 52 Seconds (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK)

"Following their genre-defining "female delinquent" classic Girl Boss Guerrilla, director Norifumi Suzuki and action star Reiko Ike would join forces once again for the shocking Sex & Fury. Pulpy and bathed in lurid violence of the highest order, the film would beget the sequel, Female Yakuza Tale, directed by none other than the king of ero-guro, Teruo Ishii (Horrors of Malformed Men).

In Sex & Fury, deadly swordswoman Ocho Inoshika (Ike) is looking for the men who killed her father and finds herself infiltrating a sordid den of sexually deviant yakuza, involving a British secret agent (Christina Lindberg, Thriller: A Cruel Picture) and a twisted international scheme that could alter the fate of Japan. The sequel sees Ocho captured by devious yakuza who use Chinese women as drug mules, forcing her to use her sharp wits and blade to fight her way out.

Unparalleled levels of sleaze and violence combine in a haze of psychedelia with this deadly duo of Japanese exploitation, representing the high watermark of 1970s Toei yakuza madness." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Sex and Fury), 3.75/5 (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “The restored high-definition masters were provided by Toei Company LTD.”

Sex and Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.2 GB

Feature: 21 GB (Sex and Fury), 20.3 GB (Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture)

Arrow Video uses the same source that Discotek Media used for their 2022 Blu-ray releases. Sex and Fury’s source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, image clarity, color saturation, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. Though Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture’s source looks similar in most areas, black levels are not as convincing as they should be.

Audio: 4.25/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

Each film comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. Both tracks sound excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Sex and Fury (3 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture (3 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito titled Naked Vengeance (20 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Japanese cinema expert Chris D. for Sex and Fury, an archival audio commentary with Chris D. for Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information for both films, an essay titled Pinky Violence: Tales of Sex and Fury written by Camille Zaurin, and information about the transfers.

Summary:

Sex and Fury: Norifumi Suzuki directed Sex and Fury. He’s known for The Lustful Shogun and His 21 Concubines, School of the Holy Beast, The Killing Machine, Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls, and Roaring Fire. He also directed several films in the Girl Boss and Terrifying Girls' High School film series.

As a child, the traumatic event of watching her police officer father murdered turned Ochô Inoshika towards a life of crime. Years later, she searches gambling houses looking for her father's killers; her only clues are three cards that hold the key to uncovering their identities. Along the way, she gets involved in a card game that will determine the fate of a young woman who she promised to free from the world of prostitution.

Sex & Fury is the first film in a series of two, followed by Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture. Both films star Reiko Ike (Graveyard of Honor) in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who's also deadly with the sword. Furthermore, Sex & Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture had different directors, content-wise and stylistically; there is not much separation between these two films.

Sex & Fury dives right in with an excellent pre-credits sequence that lays the groundwork for why the protagonist has devoted her life to revenge. From there, the narrative does a phenomenal job of balancing exposition and action, as pacing is never an issue. Another strength of the narrative is how effectively it builds momentum towards a sensational finale that perfectly brings Ochô Inoshika’s journey to a climax.

The main attraction is Reiko Ike’s portrayal of Ochô Inoshika; she delivers a scene-stealing performance that is arguably the best of her career. Though Ochô Inoshika bears all the traits that one has come to expect from Japanese female assassins, the result is a character that actually stands apart from the rest of the pact. Not only does Ochô Inoshika ooze sexuality, but she is also a force who can go toe to toe with any man.

Not to be overlooked is Christina Lindberg’s (Thriller: A Cruel Picture) portrayal of a British spy named Christina. Despite her limited range as an actress, she still delivers a charismatic performance that relies heavily on her physical presence. That said, the rest of the cast are very good in their roles.

Without a doubt, one of Sex & Fury’s most durable assets is Norifumi Suzuki’s stylized visuals, which heighten the mood. A few standout moments include a scene where a bathing Ochô Inoshika is forced to fight assassins in the nude and Christina’s death is one of the most beautiful deaths ever filmed. That said, the scene that stands out more than any other is an elegant ballroom sequence that introduces Christina.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Sex and Fury does not excel, and then some. There is never a shortage of nudity, depravity, or carnage, with some dark humor thrown in for good measure. The fight scenes are spectacular, especially when it comes to the strategic placement during the nude sword fighting. Another strength is composer Ichirô Araki’s exemplary score, which does an exceptional job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Sex & Fury is one of Toei’s high-watermark films of the 1970s and a must-see if you're a fan of Pinky Violence cinema.

Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture: Teruo Ishii directed A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture. He was a versatile filmmaker who worked in just about every film genre. No matter the quality of the source material, he always somehow manages to craft something that is above and beyond an amazing thrill ride. The Man from Abashiri Prison, Horrors of Malformed Men, Blind Woman's Curse, The Executioner, The Executioner II: Karate Inferno, and the Joy of Torture series are notable films directed by Teruo Ishii.

A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture picks up right where its predecessor, Sex & Fury, left off as we see the prototagnoist Ochô surrounded by a group of assassins with their samurai swords drawn as she spins her umbrella. A tongue-in-cheek opening credits sequence showcases not only Ochô’s impressive fighting skills but her other ample assets as well.

Teruo Ishii’s direction is inspired; he keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. The highlight of his direction is a jaw-dropping finale in which numerous naked women use swords and other weapons against their male counterparts. When it comes to more exploitative elements, which are overflowing throughout In A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, Teruo Ishii does not miss a beat.

As good as the cast is in their roles, everyone is obscured by Reiko Ike’s (Graveyard of Honor) mesmerizing performance in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who is also a deadly assassin. She delivers a solid performance that expands on her role from Sex & Fury. Although she is portraying the same character, her portrayal of Ochô Inoshika is slightly different for each film.

Ryohei Uchida (Bodyguard Kiba), who made a career portraying offbeat characters, portrays Jôji, who has a score to settle with the same people Ochô Inoshika is going after. Although his screen time is limited, when he does appear on screen, he tends to dominate that scene. His character's most memorable moment is a scene where he throws bullets like throwing stars as they pierce his eyes and forehead.

Teruo Ishii goes for a more realistic look at the carnage in Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture than in Sex & Fury. The fighting scenes are beautifully photographed and executed. That said, one area where A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture comes up short is the obvious lack of budget. Most noticeable is the overuse of framing compositions at an angle or tight close-ups that obscure the background. Increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor, Sex & Fury, this film takes disrobing to another level.

Another distinct difference is that Sex & Fury was a period film that took place in the past, whereas Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture looks and feels modern. Besides increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture takes disrobing to another level. Ultimately, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture is a very satisfying sequel that stands well on its own.

Sex and Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture are given their best home media release to date. Highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) - Dark Force Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1978
Director: Hsu Ta-Chuan
Cast: Michael Chan Wai-Man, Charles Heung Wah-Keung, Susanna Au-Yeung Pui-San, Na Na, Chao Lei, Cheng Kei-Ying, Wu Chia-Hsiang

Release Date: July 14th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 99 minutes 12 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"A down-on-his-luck young man takes a job as a delivery runner for a powerful criminal syndicate, believing he's simply transporting routine packages. He soon discovers he's being used as an unwitting courier in a dangerous drug trafficking operation. When a shipment is compromised, rival gangs move in and the syndicate turns on its own to cover their tracks. Caught in a deadly web of betrayal, corruption, and escalating violence, the young courier is forced to rely on his instincts and martial arts skills to survive and fight his way free from the underworld that has trapped him." — synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new HD master from the original uncut Hong Kong 35mm negative!"

Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.3 GB

Feature: 21.1 GB

The source exhibits nicks, scratches, and other minor debris. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity is strong, black levels fare well, and there are no issues with compression or digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Mandarin with removable English subtitles. Range-wise, this track is serviceable, dialogue comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. That said, there are a few audio dropouts, one that lasts for almost 10 seconds.

Extras:

There is no extra content.

Summary:

A man, struggling with his circumstances, accepts a position as the intermediary between the triads and the yakuza, who are engaged in a 5 million dollar heroin transaction.

By the latter half of the 1970s, there were so many kung fu films being made by independent film companies, many of whom had only made one or two before going away. Not only were these films cheaply made when compared to the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, but their overall quality was mostly miss instead of hit. Despite their average quality, these low-budget kung fu movies shared a common trait: they were highly entertaining.

Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) jumps right into the action with a car chase between a suspected drug smuggler and the police. From there, the action is non-stop with only minimal exposition to move things forward. While there is an abundance of fight sequences, the choreography is fairly standard, nothing flashy, with the most memorable moment action-wise being saved for the finale.

The most recognizable cast member is Michael Chan Wai-Man in the role of Kung Chun San Lang, a man hired to facilitate a drug deal between the triads and the Yakuza. He’s known for roles in films like Chinese Hercules, All Men Are Brothers, Broken Oath, Deadly Breaking Sword, and Five Elements Ninja. When it comes to the performances, they all service the story that unfolds well.

While Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) is an action/crime film, it also serves up a healthy dose of exploitation elements, notably an ample amount of nudity from its female cast. Running parallel with the drug deal is a police investigation where the police always manage to be one step behind the criminals. There is not much information out there about Deadly Kung Fu Factor (aka The Delivery). That said, while no composer is listed, I am going to guess that its progressive rock-infused score is unauthorized. Ultimately, despite its shortcomings, Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) is a film that works better than it should.

Deadly Kung-Fu Factor (aka The Delivery) gets a serviceable audio/video presentation from Dark Force Entertainment.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Waves of Lust - Raro Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1975
Director: Ruggero Deodato
Writers: Franco Bottari, Fabio Pittorru, Gianlorenzo Battaglia, Lamberto Bava
Cast: Al Cliver, Silvia Dionisio, John Steiner, Elizabeth Turner

Release Date: June 16th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 88 minutes 25 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Two carefree youngsters, Irem and Barbara (Al Cliver and Silvia Dionisio), are invited for a weekend cruise on a yacht owned by Giorgio (John Steiner, Caligula), a ruthless and cynical industrialist. He is married to Silvia (Elizabeth Turner), a disturbed woman who allows herself to be physically and mentally terrorized by him. But then she falls into a ménage à trois with Irem and Barbara, who all conspire against Giorgio, whose misogyny and paranoia push him over the edge into madness." — synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Presented in a 4K restoration."

Waves of Lust comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 27.7 GB

Feature: 25.1 GB

The source looks excellent; the flesh tones and colors look correct; the image clarity and black levels are strong; there are no issues with compression, and the grain remains intact.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. Dialogue comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release are 4 deleted scenes from the more explicit English-language version (4 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with non-removable English subtitles), TV commercials directed by Ruggero Deodato who provides audio commentary (20 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an archival documentary titled Erotic Tsunami, featuring comments by Ruggero Deodato, screenwriter Lamberto Bava, and actor Al Cliver (17 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with film critics and hosts of Wild, Wild Podcast Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett.

Summary:

Ruggero Deodato directed Waves of Lust. He is also known for directing Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man, House on the Edge of the Park, and Cannibal Holocaust. He started his career as a second unit director, working with Sergio Corbucci and Antonio Margheriti before becoming a director.

A rich philanderer, who is into sadomasochism, invites a young couple to join him on a cruise on his luxurious yacht. What should have been a pleasurable trip out at sea quickly turns deadly when someone’s temper leads to one of the passengers' deaths.

In its opening setup, Waves of Lust establishes itself as an erotic melodrama where the bulk of the narrative is spent with all the main players behaving decadently. It is not until the final act when Waves of Lust veers into the realm of the thriller. Unfortunately, it is too little too late by then, and an underwhelming twist ending only adds further insult to injury.

Instead of revolving around a black-gloved killer, Waves of Lust is a film that relies more on atmosphere than carnage. While Waves of Lust is devoid of the tropes that one associates with the giallo, it is a film that is very effective at creating tension. That said, Waves of Lust shares many elements with Knife in the Water and Dead Calm, other claustrophobic dramas that take place on a boat.

Besides a child on the beach, there are only four characters. When it comes to the performances, the cast are all very good in their roles. The standout performance is John Steiner (Shock) in the role of Giorgio, a wealthy industrialist who always gets what he wants. Silvia Dionisio (Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man) and Elizabeth Turner (Beyond the Door), whose characters often wear little or no clothing, provide plenty of eye candy. The weakest performance is Al Cliver (Zombie), who delivers his usual wooden performance.

Although the narrative offers few surprises and pacing tends to lag, the visuals are an area where Waves of Lust often excels. The most memorable moment is a scene where an eel is mutilated. While nowhere near as brutal as the animal carnage in Cannibal Holocaust, it is still a moment that will make most feel uneasy. Composer Marcello Giombini (Terror Express) delivers a solid score that reinforces the mood. Ultimately, Waves of Lust’s positives outweigh its negatives, making it a film that fans of 1970s Italian sleaze should enjoy.

Waves of Lust gets a first-rate release from Raro Video that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a trio of informative extras.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

The General: Masters of Cinema – Eureka Video (UHD)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1926
Directors: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman
Writers: Al Boasberg, Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton, Charles Smith
Cast: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick Vroom, Charles Smith, Frank Barnes, Joe Keaton, Mike Donlin, Tom Nawn

Release Date: May 18th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 79 Minutes 45 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: U (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 With English Intertitles
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK)

"Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie Gray (Keaton) loves two things: his sweetheart Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack) and his prized locomotive, The General. When the Civil War breaks out, Johnnie intends to enlist in the Confederate Army, but is rejected – ending his budding relationship with Annabelle. As the war rages on, though, spies working for the Union steal Johnnie’s beloved engine and inadvertently kidnap Annabelle, leading him to doggedly pursue them both across enemy lines." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation from a 4K digital restoration, presented in a new and exclusive Dolby Vision HDR (HDR 10 compatible) grade."

The General comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 89.1 GB

Feature: 56.7 GB

For a film that is 100 years old, the source looks remarkable. Grey and black levels are strong throughout, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD 5.1 with English intertitles. The audio sounds excellent.

Extras:

Extras for this release include home-movie footage (1 minute, no sound), an archival featurette with locomotive expert Harper Harris titled Video Tour of The General; he discusses the real General train and Buster Keaton’s film The General (18 minutes 5 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette with John Bengston, author of Silent Echoes titled Filming Locations, topics discussed are Cottage Grove, Oregon the location where The General was filmed (4 minutes 29 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival introduction by Gloria Swanson filmed for television (2 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an archival introduction by Orson Welles filmed for television (12 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with film scholar Peter Kramer (40 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by film critic and editor Luke Ryan titled A Brave Engineer: Buster Keaton’s Last Ride, he discusses locomotives in the films of Buster Keaton (52 minutes 20 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by Imogen Sara Smith, author of Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy titled Bound for Glory (25 minutes, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with film historian David Kalat, a O-Card slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a 40-page booklet (limited to 2,000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Buster Keaton: The Fred Astaire of Slapstick written by Phillip Kemp, an essay titled Shaun the Sheep: Buster Keaton Reborn? written by Richard Haynes, contemporary reviews, and information about the transfers titled Notes on Viewing. 

Summary:

The General was co-directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton. Notable films directed by Clyde Bruckman include Feet First, Movie Crazy, and Man on the Flying Trapeze. Besides directing, Buster Keaton co-wrote the screenplay and was the star of The General. Along with Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton is widely regarded as one of the masters of silent cinema.

A train engineer is rejected when trying to enlist because he’s more valuable to the war effort in his current role. Determined to help in some way, the engineer inadvertently plays an instrumental role in foiling the enemies' plan to sabotage a bridge.

While many sound films from Hollywood’s Golden Era have gained a reputation that has led subsequent generations to discover them, the same cannot be said about the majority of silent films. The advent of sound shifted a lot of the focus away from what we see to what we hear in cinema. When one watches a silent film for the first time, they quickly discover how much of a role their eyes play since there is no spoken dialogue. That said, where so many filmgoers have become passive in their watching, silent cinema requires 100% of your attention.

This brings us to Buster Keaton’s The General; the things that immediately grabbed me while watching this film were its minimal intertitle cards and perpetual motion that rarely lets the action remain still. Another standout aspect of The General, compared to other silent films, is how much of it was actually shot on location instead of in the controlled environment of a sound stage. That said, Buster Keaton’s instincts as a filmmaker and the way he used the camera, notably constantly moving, were way ahead of their time, especially in an era where most of his contemporaries relied heavily on master shots.

Another way that silent cinema differs from sound cinema is its performances. In contrast to sound cinema, which utilized voices to express emotions, silent cinema relied solely on physical movements to convey feelings. Fortunately, Buster Keaton was someone who could say more with just a single body movement than someone could convey with 100 words. While he was most known for his comedic talents, notably deadpan humor, he was also someone who delivered when it came to deeper moments that resonate. That said, there is humor throughout that works seamlessly with the story. The two moments that stand out most are a scene where Buster Keaton’s character, who’s hiding under a table, overhears a sabotage plot and the finale where a bridge is blown up while a train goes across. Ultimately, The General is an exceptional film that’s withstood the hands of time, making it Buster Keaton’s crowning achievement as a filmmaker.

The General gets a definitive release from Eureka Video. Highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer