The Beast to Die: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray) 

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1980
Director: Tôru Murakawa
Writer: Shoichi Maruyama
Cast: Yûsaku Matsuda, Mako Midori, Akemi Mari, Toshio Kurosawa, Hôsei Komatsu, Kunio Murai, Kazuo Katô, Yoshi Katô, Asami Kobayashi, Takeshi Kaga, Rei Okamoto

Release Date: July 21st, 2025 (UK), July 22nd, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 118 Minutes 41 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Deeply scarred by what he witnessed on battlefields across Asia, a young war photographer (Yusaku Matsuda, Yokohama BJ Blues) returns to the bustling streets of Tokyo, plotting a series of brutal murders and robberies that are mere warmups for an unprecedented bank heist. Searching for an accomplice, he finds the short-fused and equally disenfranchised Tetsuo (Takeshi Kaga, Death Note)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The Beast to Die was transferred in 4K by the Kadokawa Corporation and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

The Beast to Die comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.6 GB

Feature: 32.2 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, 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: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in excellent shape. Dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an appreciation from novelist and screenwriter Jordan Harper (12 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama (22 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Toru Murakawa (20 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings, and a 28-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an archival essay titled Yûsaku Matsuda: Lost Rebel written by Tom Mes, an essay titled Shadow of the Beast written by Tatsuya Masuto, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

The Beast to Die would mark the sixth and final collaboration between director Toru Murakawa and Yûsaku Matsuda. The other films are The Most Dangerous Game, The Killing Game, The Execution Game, and The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf, as well as the TV series The Detective Story.

A former war correspondent and photographer begins to lose his grip on reality after years of witnessing battlefield atrocities.

The narrative revolves around a war and a fatigued photographer named Kunihiko Date, whose deteriorating mental state only further escalates his need for violence. There are two subplots: the first is about a woman from Kunihiko Date’s past who still has feelings for him, and the other subplot is a bank robbery that he plans and pulls off with the help of a like-minded lost soul. While The Beast to Die and Taxi Driver are based on different source material, they share many similarities. Both lead characters are war veterans who experience mental breakdowns, miss out on opportunities for love, and lead lonely lives.

Over the years, numerous actors have made substantial sacrifices to their bodies by drastically losing or gaining weight to achieve a specific appearance that they could not attain through their performances alone. Yusaku Matsuda lost about thirty pounds in preparation for his portrayal of Kunihiko Date in The Beast to Die. The end result is very effective and convincing. Yusaku Matsuda gives a mesmerizing performance of a man consumed by madness. Many memorable performances were delivered by Yusaku Matsuda throughout his career, with his role in The Beast Must Die being recognized as the pinnacle of his accomplishments.

The rest of the cast all deliver strong performances, especially Hideo Murota (Doberman Cop), who is particularly entertaining as a detective who always seems to be one step ahead of Kunihiko Date. Another performance of note is Takeshi Kaga (Death Note), who portrays Tetsuo, an equally disturbed young man that Kunihiko Date takes under his wing. Notable cast members include Rei Okamoto (Star of David: Hunting for Beautiful Girls), a woman from Kunihiko Date’s past, and Mako Midori (Blind Beast), who portrays Tesuo’s lover.

Toru Murakawa's direction is solid; he does a superb job fusing images, music, and performances. Visually there are numerous arresting moments, notably a scene where Kunihiko Date waits outside in the pouring rain while Tetsuo proves his loyalty by killing his girlfriend. In the buildup to her killing, she performs a flamenco dance, which heightens the moment. The elaborate bank robbery sequence serves as the film's major set piece. This intense moment showcases Kunihiko Date and Tetsuo relying solely on their primal instincts, as they kill anyone who gets in their way without hesitation.

The Beast to Die is a psychological drama that weaves in numerous neo-noir elements throughout its unfolding story. Although the narrative progresses at a slow pace, every moment feels purposeful and necessary. The premise is flawlessly executed, and the narrative does an excellent job building momentum to an intense finale. The soundtrack is filled with classic music like Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor and Chopin’s “Funeral March.” The use of classical music greatly complements the film, and it also plays a strong part in revealing more about the Kunihiko Date character. Ultimately, The Beast to Die offers a compelling exploration of the atrocities of war and the enduring impact they have on those who have lived through such horrors.

The Beast to Die gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer