Eighteen Years in Prison: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1967
Director: Tai Katô
Writers: Kazuo Kasahara, Shin Morita
Cast: Noboru Andô, Shinobu Chihara, Reiichi Hatanaka, Minoru Hodaka, Shinzô Hotta, Ken Kawabe, Asao Koike, Hôsei Komatsu, Masaomi Kondô, Michitarô Mizushima, Tsuyako Okajima, Hiroko Sakuramachi, Akira Shioji, Akecho Sogamawariya, Tomisaburô Wakayama, Shingo Yamashiro

Release Date: July 29th, 2024 (UK), July 30th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 90 Minutes 39 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Trying to survive in the ruins of post-war Japan, Kawada (Noboru Ando, By a Man’s Face Shall You Know Him) and Tsukada (Asao Koike, Sympathy for the Underdog) run afoul of the military police after stealing valuable copper wire. Kawada is arrested and sent to prison, but Tsukada uses their gains to start a yakuza gang. Facing violent inmates and a cruel warden (Tomisaburo Wakayama, Big Time Gambling Boss), Kawada vows to escape and stop his former partner." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Eighteen Years in Prison was transferred in High-Definition by Toei Co. Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

Eighteen Years in Prison comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.2 GB

Feature: 26.6 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, mage clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

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, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay about Japanese prison films by Tom Mes titled Tall Escapes (16 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an appreciation by film critic and programmer Tony Rayn (24 minutes 17 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 Years of Filming Dangerously written by Tom Mes, an archival interview with Noboru Ando by Mark Schilling, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

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

A former soldier who worked in the black market is sent to prison, but his ex-partner continued to rise in the criminal underworld during his imprisonment.

Though the protagonist is clearly breaking the law, he never steals for his own selfish gain or deliberately puts anyone in harm's way. He is a character with a strong moral compass who often puts others ahead of his own interests. Even when confronted by violence in prison, he never waives his own code of conduct. That said, the man he saves, his former partner, is the polar opposite. And when given the opportunity to enrich himself, his former partner is willing to throw anyone who gets in his way under the bus.

While in prison, the protagonist takes a rebellious inmate under his wing and tries to get him off the destructive path he’s on. And though she was not known to him when they met, the protagonist soon discovers that the rebellious inmate's sister is the woman he loves. To help him, the protagonist reunites him with his sister, whom he thought was dead.

Though the narrative weaves many stories that intersect, the most striking moments are those that take place inside the prison. That said, the prison moments are depicted with unflinching brutality. Not only are prisoners attacking each other, but the prison guards exert their authority with brute force.

Noboru Andô, who previously worked with Tai Katô on By a Man's Face, Shall You Know Him, is cast in the role of Kawada, the protagonist. Known for his intense roles, he restrains himself when portraying Kawada, revealing a different facet of his acting ability. The other performance of note is Tomisaburô Wakayama’s (Lone Wolf and Cub) portrayal of a warden who takes pleasure in inflicting pain. That said, the entire cast is very good in their respective roles.

Eighteen Years in Prison is a character-driven crime drama that does an excellent job balancing exposition and violent outbursts. The well-constructed narratives do a phenomenal job of building momentum towards an exceptional finale that perfectly brings the events that preceded them together. Another strength is the visuals and how effectively they heighten tense moments. Ultimately, Eighteen Years in Prison is a solid crime drama in which the protagonist's past and present collide for an unforgettable climax.

Eighteen Years in Prison gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer