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

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

Yokohama BJ Blues: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1981
Director: Eiichi Kudô
Writer: Shoichi Maruyama
Cast: Yûsaku Matsuda, Mari Henmi, Toby Kadoguchi, Haruko Mabuchi, Kôji Tanaka, Taiji Tonoyama, Yûya Uchida, Tatsuo Yamada, Rikiya Yasuoka 

Release Date: December 16th, 2024 (UK), December 17th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 111 Minutes 49 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 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)

"When his police detective best friend is killed, down-at-heel private eye and part-time blues singer BJ (Yusaku Matsuda, The Game Trilogy) gets the blame. He must start his own investigation to clear his name, but what he uncovers is a tangled web involving crooked cops, drug-dealing gangsters, the city’s underground gay and biker scenes, and even his own past." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Yokohama BJ Blues was transferred in High-Definition by Toei Company, Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

Yokohama BJ Blues comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.5 GB

Feature: 32.6 GB

The source is in great shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there are no issues with 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 sounds clean, clear, and balanced; range-wise, the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer 2 minutes 9 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with writer and Yokohama expert Toru Sano (18 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama (22 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Mari Hemmi (13 minutes 48 seconds, LPCM 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 essay titled Mitsuru Kurosawa and Toei Central: A Creative Producer in the Post-Studio Era written by Dimitri Ianni, a review of Yokohama BJ Blues written by Satoshi Takahashi, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Eiichi Kudô directed Yokohama BJ Blues. He is also known for making the films 13 Assassins, The Great Killing, The Fort of Death, and Shadow Warriors.

A private detective and aspiring blues singer gets a case linked to the murder of his friend, a police officer.

Yokohama BJ Blues is a crime/drama with Neo-noir elements. Its protagonist, a private detective and aspiring blues singer named BJ, is a Philip Marlowe-like antihero. He only works as a private eye to make a living, and he does not discriminate when it comes to choosing his clients. That said, though he starts off not concerned with morality, by the end of the film he finally finds something he cares about.

So much of what makes Yokohama BJ Blues work is Yûsaku Matsuda’s (The Beast to Die) portrayal of the protagonist. He’s an actor who always exudes cool no matter what role he’s portraying. He delivers a phenomenal performance that elevates the rest of the cast. When it comes to the rest of the cast, they are filled with a rogues gallery of nefarious characters.

Yokohama BJ Blues is all over the place tone-wise; one moment is lighthearted, then the next is bursting with intensity. The narrative does not follow a straightforward path; there's an ample amount of twists and turns. Everything builds to its most jarring twist, a poignant, melancholy ending that serves as a perfect epitaph.

In its early moments, Yokohama BJ Blues makes it clear that it is going to take you to a dark place. Most of its characters lack morality, and even less of them deserve sympathy. Its narrative does a superb job creating tension, and pacing is never an issue with key moments given ample time to resonate. Also, its blues-infused soundtrack perfectly reinforces the mood. Ultimately, Yokohama BJ Blues is an abyss of darkness that explores the darker sides of humanity.

Yokohama BJ Blues gets a solid release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Game Trilogy: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Japan, 1978 (The Most Dangerous Game, The Killing Game), Japan, 1979 (The Execution Game)
Director: Tôru Murakawa (All Films),
Cast: Yûsaku Matsuda (All Films), Keiko Tasaka, Ichirô Araki, Asao Uchida, Daigo Kusano , Bontarô Miake, Yôko Ichiji, Hiroshi Nawa, Rei Okamoto (The Most Dangerous Game), Kei Satô, Yutaka Nakajima, Kenji Imai, Kaori Takeda, Kôjirô Kusanagi, Kai Atô, Gajirô Satô (The Killing Game), Aiko Morishita, Yoshirô Aoki, Lily, Ryûji Katagiri, Kei Satô, Michihiro Yamanishi, Kôjirô Kusanagi (The Execution Game)

Release Date: June 19th, 2023 (UK), June 20th, 2023 (USA)
Approximate Running Times: 89 Minutes 16 Seconds (The Most Dangerous Game), 91 Minutes 49 Seconds (The Killing Game), 100 Minutes 10 Seconds (The Execution Game)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (All Films)
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese (All Films)
Subtitles: English (All Films)
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"In this career-defining triptych, Matsuda is Shohei Narumi, an ice cool hitman of few words, a steely trigger finger, and a heart of stone, hired in The Most Dangerous Game by a company bidding for a lucrative government air defense contract to take out the competition. In The Killing Game, Narumi finds himself caught in the midst of violent yakuza gang warfare, while his own brutal past catches up with him in the form of two beautiful women still bearing the emotional scars of his past assignments. In The Execution Game, Narumi falls for a mysterious saloon bar chanteuse who may or may not be part of the same, shadowy underworld organization as the rival hitmen he is employed to rub out." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (The Most Dangerous Game), 4.25/5 (The Killing Game, The Execution Game)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The High-Definition masters were supplied by Toei and sourced from the best available archival materials, with additional color grading and picture restoration by Arrow Films at R3Store Studios."

The Most Dangerous Game comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30.1 GB

Feature: 24.4 GB

Though the source used for The Most Dangerous Game looks great, there are moments where the detail is not as strong in the darker scenes. That said, colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp, and there are no issues with compression.

The Killing Game and The Execution Game come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.9 GB

Feature: 25.7 GB

The sources for The Killing Game and The Execution Game look similar. The sources used for these two film transfers are in great shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, and compression is solid.

Audio: 4/5

Each film comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese, and all three films come with removable English subtitles. These three audio tracks sound similar quality-wise. There are no issues with background hiss or distortion; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, these tracks are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras on the Blu-ray with The Most Dangerous Game include an image gallery (16 stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 23 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Toru Murakawa titled The Action Man (20 minutes 5 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Chris Poggiali and Marc Walkow.

Extras on the Blu-ray with The Killing Game and The Execution Game include an image gallery for The Killing Game (31 stills), an image gallery for The Execution Game (16 images), a theatrical trailer for The Killing Game (2 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Execution Game (1 minute 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Yutaka Oki, film critic and personal friend of Yusaku Matsuda titled Remembering Yusaku Matsuda (17 minutes 41 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama titled Game Changer (22 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Earl Jackson and Jasper Sharp for The Killing Game, and an audio commentary with Tom Mes for The Execution Game.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a double-sided fold-out poster (limited to first pressing), a slipcover (limited to first pressing), and forty page booklet (limited to first pressing) with cast & crew information for each film, an essay titled Dangerous Games: Murakawa, Matsuda, and an Age of Anxiety written by Hayley Scanlon, an essay titled Mitsuru Kurosawa and Toei Central: Reshaping Japanese Action Cinema written by Dimitri Ianni, Yusaku Matsuda filmography, Toru Murakawa filmography, and information about the restorations.

Summary:

The Game trilogy was directed by Tôru Murakawa and starred Yusaku Matsuda in the role of a hitman named Shouhei Narumi. Another common thread in the Game trilogy is composer Yuji Ohno (Proof of the Man).

The Most Dangerous Game: The narrative revolves around a hitman named Shouhei Narumi who is hired to rescue the chairman, whose company is tied to the financial sector. Also, there have been a series of kidnappings and the killings of other chairmen. Things go awry when the man Shhei Narumi was hired to rescue is killed by a stray bullet.

In the 1970s, Toei was one of the few companies to stay afloat and not shift their focus towards Pinku Eiga like their competitor Nikkatsu, and others like Daiei and Shochiku had limited output post-1960. This created a void in Japanese cinema, and when it came to exploitation cinema in the 1970s, Toei was unrivaled. Notably, their contributions to the Yakuza and Pinky Violence film genres.

Though The Most Dangerous Game has many elements that one associates with Toei’s Yakuza films, it is not on the same level as the Yakuza films directed by Kinji Fukasaku. That said, The Most Dangerous Game is not your typical crime or action film from Toei. The Most Dangerous Game is better described as a straight-up exploitation film with some action thrown in for good measure.

Everything about The Most Dangerous Game and the two Game films that followed it begins and ends with its leading man, Yûsaku Matsuda (The Beast to Die) in the role of Shouhei Narumi. He delivers an intense performance, which would become his hallmark. And though his career would be cut short due to an untimely death at the age of forty, he would leave an impressive legacy as an actor, with one of his best performances, Ridley Scott’s Black Rain, also being his last performance. That said, the rest of the performances are best described as serviceable. Which is not a surprise since Yûsaku Matsuda dominates the frame.

Though the premise is ripe with possibilities, the opening setup takes its time introducing Shouhei Narumi. Because of this, these early moments tend to drag. Fortunately, once Shouhei Narumi is on the job, things pick up considerably. Also, Shouhei Narumi often finds himself in near-death situations, which is not a surprise since he is a no-nonsense character who tends to be on the abrasive side. Ultimately, The Most Dangerous Game is at times too much by the numbers, and if it were not for its leading man Yûsaku Matsuda, it would have been forgotten.

The Killing Game: The narrative revolves around a hitman named Shouhei Narumi, who goes into hiding after completing a job that puts a target on his back. Flash forward five years, and he returns to the scene and finds himself in the middle of a war between two rival yakuza bosses who both hired him to kill each other.

The Killing Game opens with an assassination sequence that at times borders on the surreal. From there, the narrative does a great job establishing who everyone is and their motivations. Also, the narrative does a fantastic job building momentum towards a sensational finale.

Once again, the heart and soul are Yûsaku Matsuda (The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf) in the role of Shouhei Narumi. He delivers a brooding performance that picks up where he left off in The Most Dangerous Game. Though his presence often obscures other actors, the rest of the cast is very good in their roles.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where The Killing Game does not excel. The premise is well executed, and there is a good mix of action and exploitation elements. Notably, the finale, where the protagonist is in a shootout in a narrow hallway in which he shoots through doors, hitting would-be assassins on the other side, That said, when it comes to violence, particularly towards women, The Killing Game takes things to the extreme. Ultimately, The Killing Game is a solid sequel that is superior in every way to its predecessor.

The Execution Game: The narrative revolves around a hitman named Shouhei Narumi, who tries to retrace his steps after being abducted and tortured.

The Execution Game, like its predecessor, The Killing Game, opens with an impressive opening sequence. There is a long tracking shot that slowly moves the protagonist, who is lying still on the floor. Also, another strength of this opening setup is how no dialog is spoken until around eleven and a half minutes in.

The main attraction is Yûsaku Matsuda (Detective Story) in the role of Shouhei Narumi. After two films establishing Shouhei Narumi, he effortlessly steps into the role once again. That said, the rest of the cast ranges from adequate to good.

The Execution Game features a puzzle-box narrative in which Shouhei Narumi retraces the events that led to the moment that opens the film and sets the story that follows in motion. Though The Execution Game has many elements that are similar to the other two Game films, the result is a film that is more of a detective film than an action or crime film. Also, The Execution Game’s narrative is the strongest of the three Game films. Ultimately, The Execution Game is on par with The Killing Game, and its phenomenal finale provides a perfect coda to the Game trilogy.

The Game Trilogy is another first-rate release from Arrow Video that gives each film a strong audio/video presentation, and this release comes with informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer