Proof of the Man: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1977
Director: Junya Satō
Writer: Zenzō Matsuyama
Cast: Yūsaku Matsuda, George Kennedy, Mariko Okada, Bunjaku Han, Joe Yamanaka, Janet Hatta, Toshiro Mifune, Robert Earl Jones, Broderick Crawford, Rick Jason, Kōichi Iwaki, Takeo Chii, Hiroyuki Nagato, Kōji Wada, Hajime Hana, Junzaburō Ban

Release Date: September 8th, 2025 (UK), September 9th, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 133 Minutes 3 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese/English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"When mixed-raced Johnny Hayward (Flower Travellin' Band vocalist Joe Yamanaka) heads from his Harlem home to Tokyo, he becomes the victim of a brutal stabbing in the elevator of a plush hotel hosting a catwalk show by elite fashion designer Kyoko (Mariko Okada). That same night, Kyoko's son with her powerful politician husband Yohei (Toshiro Mifune) is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident and flees the country. Suspecting the incidents may be linked, Detective Munesue (Yusaku Matsuda, The Game Trilogy) heads to New York to investigate Johnny's background. Here he is partnered with local detective Ken Shuftan (George Kennedy, Airport), whose own links to Japan dredge up painful memories from Munesue's childhood." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The high-definition master was provided by Kadokawa."

Proof of the Man comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.5 GB

Feature: 35.1 GB

The source used for this transfer looks excellent. 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: 5/5

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

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (21 images - stills/posters), a theatrical teaser (54 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), theatrical trailer #1 (1 minute 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), theatrical trailer #2 (1 minute 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), theatrical trailer #3 (3 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese and English with removable English subtitles), a brand new filmed discussion with critics and Junya Sato biographers Tatsuya Masuto and Masaaki Nomura titled A Japanese Blockbuster (27 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an introduction by Asian film scholar Earl Jackson titled Taking the Big Apple (21 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian American film scholar Rob Buscher and DJ Skeme Richards, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and a 28-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Living With Your Sins: Proof of the Man written by Michelle Kisner, an essay titled Proof of the Man: The Beginning of the Kadokawa Karuki Era written by Alexander Zahlten, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Junya Satō directed Proof of the Man. He’s known for Golgo 13, The Bullet Train, Manhunt, Proof of the Man, and Never Give Up. When Proof of the Man was originally released in 1977, two versions were released: a longer 133-minute Japanese version and a much shorter 100-minute English-language version. The difference between the two versions is not just a removal of thirty-three minutes since the English language version features scenes that were shot exclusively for this edit of the film.

When American tourist Jonny Hayward dies during his vacation in Tokyo, Japanese detective Munesue travels to New York City in search of a wanted man who fled Japan and possesses information about Jonny's killer.

The origins of Proof of the Man can be traced back to a novel by the controversial author Seiichi Morimura, titled The Devil’s Gluttony. The storyline and cast of Proof of the Man also share several similarities with the Ridley Scott film Black Rain. Both films feature a storyline where law enforcement from a foreign country tries to apprehend fugitive suspects. That said, the main connection is actor Yusaku Matsuda, who appears in both films. He is a detective in Proof of the Man, while he portrays the bad guy in Black Rain.

Although Yūsaku Matsuda (The Beast to Die) delivers another exemplary performance that's worthy of his top billing, Proof of the Man is actually an ensemble cast where several characters equal his character's screentime. He delivers a subtle performance that perfectly counterbalances George Kennedy’s (Cool Hand Luke) character, who is loud and impulsive. Rounding out this impressive cast are Mariko Okada (Eros + Massacre), Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai), Kōichi Iwaki (Detonation Violent Riders!), Joe Yamanaka (Deadly Outlaw: Rekka), and Broderick Crawford (All the Kings Men).

Proof of the Man is a film whose positives far outweigh its few negatives, and yet it is difficult to look past its length and pacing. In the latter case, it is undermined by stretched-out sequences like the ones at the fashion show, which disrupt any momentum. Another weakness of the narrative is that the scenes in New York are not as compelling as those that take place in Japan. An area where the narrative excels is how effectively it keeps the identity of the killer under wraps until the final moments. That said, the ending is a bit exaggerated, especially when the killer is revealed and elaborates on why they murdered Jonny Hayward. Ultimately, despite its flaws, Proof of the Man remains a captivating murder mystery, largely due to Yūsaku Matsuda’s strong performance.

Proof of the Man gets an exceptional release from Arrow Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer