I, the Executioner: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1968
Director: Tai Katô
Writers: Tadashi Hiromi, Tai Katô, Haruhiko Mimura, Yôji Yamada
Cast: Makoto Satô, Chieko Baishô, Sanae Nakahara, Ranfan Ou, Kin Sugai, Junkô Tôda, Yuki Karamura, Tatsuo Matsumura

Release Date: January 29th, 2024 (UK)
Approximate running time: 90 Minutes 34 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: £14.99 (UK)

"A man brutally murders a woman after forcing her to write the names of four others. As the murders pile up, the police investigate the links between the victims and how they may be connected to the suicide of a young boy in the same building." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “I, the Executioner was transferred in High-Definition by Shochiku Co. Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

I, the Executioner comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.2 GB

Feature: 24.6 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Image clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, this track is satisfactory.

Extras: 

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an appreciation by filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku (19 minutes 45 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay on Japanese serial killer films by Jim Harper and Tom Mes titled A Serial History (16 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 24-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled I, the Executioner written by Tony Rayns, an archival writing titled A Review of I, the Executioner written by Yoshio Shirai, a note from Yoshio Shirai about his review, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Directed by Tai Katô, whose other notable films are The Ghost Story of Oiwa's Spirit, By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him, Eighteen Years' Imprisonment, and Beast in the Shadows.

I, the Executioner, dives in head first with its pre-credits sequence where a man is beating, then rapes, and finally kills a woman. When viewing this moment for the first time, we know nothing about either of these two people. When viewed through the lens of having seen I, the Executioner in its entirety, not only are motivations made crystal clear, but an equally horrific moment involving a young boy reveals why the women who are murdered by a man who sees himself as an avenging angel.

Though the police are investigating the initial murder and the murders that follow, they stumble through their investigation. It is clear from that pre-credit sequence who the killer is. Nowhere throughout I, the Executioner, is there an attempt to conceal his identity. And even when it comes to each woman's turn with the 'executioner', they go with him willingly and without fear. It is only when their fate becomes clear that their fear kicks into overdrive.

Though the only character who is sympathetic is the young boy who kills himself, when it comes to the performances, most of the cast are great in their roles, especially Makoto Satô (Blind Woman’s Curse) in the role of Shima, aka the ‘executioner’. He delivers an intense performance that perfectly captures his character's rage. Also, another strength of his performance is when his character fondly remembers his interactions with the young boy who committed suicide. Another performance of note is Chieko Baishô (Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp) in the role of Haruka, a woman who works at a ramen noodle restaurant. Her character has her own skeletons in her closet, and this plays a role in the bond she forms with Shima.

From its opening moments, I, the Executioner, establish a nasty tone in your face that is not easy to watch. The deliberately paced narrative does a good job balancing explosions and violent outbursts. And an exceptional finale that included flashbacks that provided the reasons behind the killings provided a perfect coda. Also, the visuals and how they frame people and objects do a phenomenal job of heightening the mood. Ultimately, I, the Executioner, is an extraordinary film that shows there is a fine line between victim and perpetrator.

I, the Executioner gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer