10kbullets

The Fall of Ako Castle – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1978
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Writer: Kôji Takada
Cast: Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tsunehiko Watase, Masaomi Kondô, Toshirô Mifune, Kyôko Enami, Kasho Nakamura, Shinsuke Mikimoto

Release Date: December 11th, 2023
Approximate running time: 2 Hours 39 Minutes 25 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £17.99 (UK)

"When an injustice costs his master his life and estate, loyal retainer Ōishi (Kinnosuke Yorozuya, Bushido) vows revenge. Because the target of his vengeance is protected by the ruling shogunate, any retaliation would be seen as an act of treason. Ōishi assembles the remaining ranks of the now-masterless samurai and the 47 of them pledge a blood oath to avenge their slain lord. Tensions rise among the ranks of the ronin eager to launch the mission, as Ōishi bides his time awaiting the right time to strike. Enemy spies and assassins track Ōishi, who has seemingly fallen into vice: Has he lost his sense of honor, or is it just a part of his plan?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Presented in 1080p HD from a restoration of the original film elements by Toei."

The Fall of Ako Castle comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.5 GB

Feature: 39.2 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. When compared to Shout Factory’s Blu-ray transfer, this transfer is comparable in most areas. With a slight edge going to Eureka’s transfer, which has strong black levels and image clarity that is stronger in darker scenes.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced. Range-wise, this track sounds very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a video essay by author and film critic Jasper Sharp titled King of my Castle (13 minutes 20 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Asian film expert Tony Rayns who discusses The Fall of Ako Castle (41 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with author and film critic Tom Mes, reversible cover art, an O-card slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a 24-page booklet (limited to 2,000 copies) with cast & crew information, Kinji Fukasaku filmography, an essay titled Swords of Vengeance written by Jonathan Clements, and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

The story of the 47 Ronin, who defied the shogun in their quest for vengeance for their fallen master, has been adapted for the big screen several times, the most well-known version to western audiences being Toho's 1962 adaptation Chushingura: 47 Samurai.

Kinji Fukasaku is no stranger when it comes to recreating historical events or mythical figures in Japanese folklore. He has the knack of mixing fantasy with reality to such a degree that it is hard to tell what is pure fiction and what is fact.

Throughout Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), Kinji Fukasaku utilizes the scope frame to its fullest as he exploits the lavish sets and intricate fight choreography. His direction is fluid, as the camera merely observes and never feels forced in its placement.

There are spectacular casts and there are great casts.In the case of Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle), it falls into the former. Legendary Japanese actor Toshirô Mifune (Chushingura) is remarkable in the role of Tsuchiya, the shogun’s right hand man. And in every scene he is in, he dominates the frame. The strongest performance belongs to Masaomi Kondo, who portrays Hashimoto, a samurai who becomes crippled and then, in self-pity, loses himself in alcohol.

Frequent Kinji Fukasaku collaborator Shin’ichi "Sonny" Chiba has a cameo in the role of Kazuemon Fuwa, a samurai who was banished from his clan for killing a man. Though his onscreen time is brief, his character looms larger throughout. That said, his character is a man of few words who spends most of his screen time showcasing his sword-fighting skills.

The narrative is perfectly laid out, with key moments given just the right amount of time to resonate. The pacing ensures that momentum is never lost, and the finale provides a climax that's worthy of the events that preceded. Ultimately, Swords of Vengeance (The Fall of Ako Castle) is an extraordinary film from one of Japan's greatest filmmakers, Kinji Fukasaku, and a must-see for fans of samurai films.

Eureka Video gives The Fall of Ako Castle its best home video release to date, highly recommended.