Feudal Japan Meets Striking Political Commentary

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MOVIE REVIEW
Revenge (Adauchi)
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Genre: Action, Drama
Year Released: 1964, 2023 Eureka Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Tadashi Imai
Writer(s): Shinobu Hashimoto
Cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tetsurô Tanba, Yoshiko Mita, Takahiro Tamura
Language: Japanese with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available now, order here www.eurekavideo.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: REVENGE, a captivating film narrative on a solid Blu-ray release with a remarkable 2K restoration. This audio-visual delight springs from the combined genius of Tadashi Imai, a director well-versed in his craft, and writer Shinobu Hashimoto, a skilled narrative architect responsible for tales such as THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, HARAKIRI, RASHOMON, and IKIRU.

Navigating the unpredictable currents of the jidaigeki genre (period dramas), Imai focuses on the labyrinth of feudal Japan through the lens of revenge. Straying from the well-worn path of stereotypical revenge-laden stories, this film strikes a resonant note, fusing the classic samurai tale with a deep dive into sociopolitical ruminations.

Imai’s fearless spirit shines as he leverages this film to express his political stance. Despite a past steeped in war propaganda films, his focus shifted post-war, shedding light on the deficiencies of traditional Japanese administrative systems and advocating the cause of the working class. Imai remained undeterred in the face of potential blocklisting during the “Red Purge.”

REVENGE etches a distinct space amidst its era’s plethora of samurai dramas. The narrative, masterfully designed by Hashimoto, centers around a formal sword duel summoned to settle a clan conflict. Every detail, from meticulously set designs, intensifies the drama surrounding the impending samurai showdown.

The narrative pivot revolves around a minor conflict over weapon maintenance that spirals into chaos when Shinpachi reacts to criticism from his superior, Magodayu. In an era that shunned duels, this confrontation culminates unexpectedly. The powers-the-be hastily label both participants mentally unstable, resulting in Shinpachi’s seclusion in a temple. This resolution falls short of quenching the thirst for revenge.

The rich tapestry of jidaigeki and chanbara (sword fighting films) genres encompasses adrenaline-laced action and insightful political discourse, and REVENGE firmly stakes its territory on the latter. It delivers a clear-eyed view of a society shackled by strict regulations, reminiscent of the Edo era. The iron grip of the Shogun-led societal order resulted in a largely unsatisfying existence for a substantial portion of the population, including the high-ranking yet underprivileged Samurai warrior class.

REVENGE unveils the world of the modest samurai Shinpachi Ezaki, brought to life by the mesmerizing Kin’nosuke Nakamura. His character’s daring retaliation to a slight from a privileged Okumo clan member sets off a duel that ends in a fury. The authorities intervene, issuing a verdict for all parties involved, sparing Shinpachi, and facilitating another chain of events in the film’s detailed story. Yet, the pursuit of personal revenge by Shume, a proficient swordsman, shatters any hope for peace, triggering further unrest. Among the myriad elements that render REVENGE extraordinary, Nakamura’s captivating depiction of Shinpachi stands out.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Tony Stella [2000 copies]
1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements
Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio
Newly translated English subtitles (optional)
Brand new interview with Tony Rayns
Brand new video piece by Jasper Sharp
A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA]