THE EPITAPH VOL. 94 - ANOTHER FANTASTIC FOUR-EIGN FILMS EDITION!
BRIEF REMEMBRANCES OF THE RECENTLY RELEASED.
THE GIRL WITH A SUITCASE (1961) - JAKOMAN & TETSU (1964) - YAKUZA WIVES (1986) - LADY WITH THE SWORD (1971)
THE GIRL WITH A SUITCASE (1961) Limited Edition Blu-ray Label: Radiance Films
Region Code: A,B
Duration: 121 Minutes 17 Seconds
Rating: Unrated
Audio: Italian PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)
Director: Valerio Zurlini
Cast: Claudia Cardinale, Jacques Perrin, Gian Maria Volonte
In the Italian black and white romantic drama The Girl with the Suitcase (1961), directed by the lesser known Valerio Zurlini (Violent Summer), nightclub singer Aida (Claudia Cardinal, The Day of the Owl) abandons her musician boyfriend Piero (Gian Maria Volonté, A Bullet for the General) for wealthy playboy Riccione. Marcello (Corrado Pani, Watch Me When I Kill), who says he can help her land a movie studio contract, but finds herself stranded in the village of Parma when he dumps her and suitcase off, abandoning her, penniless with only a suitcase to her name - now that's karma. Somehow she tracks him down to his family's mansion, but he he sends his sixteen-year-old brother, Lorenzo (Jacques Perrin, Cinema Paradiso) to send her away and tell her that she's got the wrong address. he does just that, but feels sympathy and attraction to the older girl, carrying her suitcase for her and finding her lodging in a hotel. what ensues is a melancholic love story of sorts, and a sweet and tender, but not overly sentimental, coming-of-age story. the black and white film looks gorgeous, and the restoration presented on radiance's Blu-ray is absolutely lovey. This release includes loads of interviews and a new visual essay by Kat Ellinger, reversible wrap, booklet with new writing on the film, and a removable OBI strip.
- 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by the Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Camelia and Titanus
- Interview with assistant director Piero Schivazappa (19:51)
- Interview with screenwriter Piero De Bernard (17:08)
- Interview with film critic Bruno Torri on Zurlini’s career (17:02)
- Visual essay about the film by Kat Ellinger (14:22)
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Filippo Di Battista
- Limited edition 36-page booklet featuring new writing by Giuliana Minghelli
Buy it!
JAKOMAN & TETSU (1964)
Label: 88 Films
Region Code: A.B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 99 minutes 31 Seconds
Audio: Japanese PCM 2.0 Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: Japanese 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Cast: Ken Takakura, Tetsuro Tanba, Isao Yamagata, Yôko Minamida, Kumeko Urabe, Wakaba Irie, Hizuru Takachiho, Shinjirô Ebara
Jakoman and Tetsu (1964) is directed Kinji Fukasaku, (Japan Organized Crime Boss), and adapted from a script written by the legendary Akira Kurosawa. Th story is set in 1947 around small coastal fishing community on the snow-covered island of Hokkaido. In it Tetsu (Ken Takakura, Golgo 13) surprisingly returns from the war, having been believed to have died, to help out his father Kyubei (Isao Yamagata, Warning from Space) with the family herring fishing business. Once there he finds a one-eyed bastard named Jakoman (Tetsuro Tamba, Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs ) has a vendetta against his father, whom he blames for stranding him and stealing his boat years earlier. a wonderful character piece, it was great to see a a non-crime Fukasaku flick, which was a first for me. the tale involves migrant workers being exploited by their bosses, its just a fascinating story and i found myself caught up in it. The B&W film looks wonderful, released as part of 88 films' Japanarchy range, they really give it a 1st class A/V presentation all the way around with lush, detailed photography and clean sounding audio. Extras include a new Audio Commentary by Tom Mes & Jasper Sharp, a Brand New Filmed Introduction by Mark Schilling, and a Still Gallery. packaging extras include Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore, a Collectible 16-Page Booklet with Essay by Chris D., plus a Limited Edition Numbered OBI Strip.
Special Features:
- High Definition Blu-ray presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Original Mono 2.0 Audio with new English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary by Tom Mes & Jasper Sharp
- Brand New Filmed Introduction by Mark Schilling (18:22)
- Still Gallery (1:03)
- Collectible 16-Page Booklet with Essay by Chris D.
- Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore
- Limited Edition OBI Strip on First Pressing
- High Definition Blu-ray presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Original Mono 2.0 Audio with new English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary by Tom Mes & Jasper Sharp
- Brand New Filmed Introduction by Mark Schilling (18:22)
- Still Gallery (1:03)
- Collectible 16-Page Booklet with Essay by Chris D.
- Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore
- Limited Edition OBI Strip on First Pressing
Buy it!
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YAKUZA WIVES (1986)
Limited Edition Blu-ray
Label: 88 Films
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 120 Minutes
Audio: Mandarin PCM Mono 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)
Director: Hideo Gosha
Cast: Shima Iwashita, Rino Katase, Akiko Kana, Riki Takeuchi, Kôjiro Shimizu, Shôko Ieda, Yasuko Naito, Junko Enjô, Yasuko Haru, Meika Seri, Moeko Ezawa, Katsuhiko Kobaya(Violent Streets) shi, Masataka Naruse, Mansaku Fuwa, Masataka Iwao, Koji Mizukami, Seizô Fukumoto, Mikio Narita, Kei Satô
The Toei produced Yakuza Wives (1986), directed by Hideo Gosha (Violent Streets) breathed new life into the yakuza film cycle at a time when it was waning in popularity, featuring Tamaki Awazu (Shima Iwashita, Island of Evil Spirits), the wife of a powerful crime boss who must lead his empire when he is imprisoned. at first it seems things are going well, there's a seeming harmony among the different families, but when a key figure dies chaos erupts, forcing Tamaki to take the reigns and rule with an iron fist. Things get tougher when her little sister Makoto (Rino Katase, Tokyo Bordello) is raped by the wild-eyed rival gang member Sugita (Masanori Sera), and ends up marrying into the rival family, causing escalating tensions among the Yakuza families and the sisters who end up feuding. a Yakuza flick from the perspective of not just women, but women in powerful positions is electrifying, the frank conversation between he women is as refreshing as the problematic rape of Makoto is frustrating. the film is visceral and action packed, the torn loyalties and tension make for terrific crime family melodrama, the cast is terrific, and it's got a pretty terrific jazzy score and is stylish t'boot. 88 Films limited edition Blu-ray, part of their Japanarchy range, looks solid, there's a bit of grit and debris, but colors looks fantastic and the Japanese audio sounds solid. extras come by way of a Brand New Introduction by Mark Schilling, Exclusive Interview With Toei Tattoo Artist Seiji Mouri, Trailer and Stills Gallery. the Limited Edition release includes a Reversible Wrap with Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore, 20-page Limited Edition illustrated Booklet with new writing by Nathan Stuart, and a Limited Edition Individually Numbered Obi Strip
Special Features:
- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Limited Edition 2-Sided Fold-out poster
- Audio Commentary with David West
- Mandarin 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
- Stills Gallery
- Limited Edition O-ring
- Reversible Sleeve with Brand-New Artwork from R.P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien and Original Hong Kong Poster Art
The Toei produced Yakuza Wives (1986), directed by Hideo Gosha (Violent Streets) breathed new life into the yakuza film cycle at a time when it was waning in popularity, featuring Tamaki Awazu (Shima Iwashita, Island of Evil Spirits), the wife of a powerful crime boss who must lead his empire when he is imprisoned. at first it seems things are going well, there's a seeming harmony among the different families, but when a key figure dies chaos erupts, forcing Tamaki to take the reigns and rule with an iron fist. Things get tougher when her little sister Makoto (Rino Katase, Tokyo Bordello) is raped by the wild-eyed rival gang member Sugita (Masanori Sera), and ends up marrying into the rival family, causing escalating tensions among the Yakuza families and the sisters who end up feuding. a Yakuza flick from the perspective of not just women, but women in powerful positions is electrifying, the frank conversation between he women is as refreshing as the problematic rape of Makoto is frustrating. the film is visceral and action packed, the torn loyalties and tension make for terrific crime family melodrama, the cast is terrific, and it's got a pretty terrific jazzy score and is stylish t'boot. 88 Films limited edition Blu-ray, part of their Japanarchy range, looks solid, there's a bit of grit and debris, but colors looks fantastic and the Japanese audio sounds solid. extras come by way of a Brand New Introduction by Mark Schilling, Exclusive Interview With Toei Tattoo Artist Seiji Mouri, Trailer and Stills Gallery. the Limited Edition release includes a Reversible Wrap with Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore, 20-page Limited Edition illustrated Booklet with new writing by Nathan Stuart, and a Limited Edition Individually Numbered Obi Strip
Special Features:
- Brand New Introduction by Mark Schilling (15:42)
- Exclusive Interview With Toei Tattoo Artist Seiji Mouri (1:43:13)
- Trailer (3:45)
- Stills Gallery (4:20)
- 20-page Limited Edition illustrated Booklet with new writing by Nathan Stuart
- Limited Edition Individually Numbered Obi Strip
- Reversible Wrap with Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Sean Longmore
Buy it!
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LADY WITH THE SWORD (1971)
Limited Edition Blu-ray
Label: 88 Films
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 90 Minutes
Audio: Mandarin PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with newly translated English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Director: Pao-Shu Kao
Cast: Lily Ho, Seok-hoon Nam, Hsieh Wang, Yuen-Man Meng, Chih Hsien Po, No Tsai, Ching Lin, Wen-Chung Ku, Sha-Fei Ouyang, Chien Ting, Peng-Fei Li, Feng-Chen Chen, Hao Li, Lung Lei
Keeping the strong female-driven themes of Yakuza Wives going, I bring to you the female directed Lady with a Sword (1971), from director Pao-Shu Kao (Blood of the Dragon), wherein the ferocious swordswoman Feng Fei-fei (Lily Ho, Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan) is out for vengeance after a group of vicious bandits murder her sister, only to discover that the real culprit is a corrupt family member. Chock full of fantastic swordplay and well-staged action, this is also surprisingly brutal, and plenty of tension as family loyalties are put to the test. I'd never even heard of this Shaw Brothers Production prior to this release, kudos to 88 Films for this one, quite a gem! This is releases as part of the 88 Asia line-up, the disc extras are a bit slim, we only get an Audio Commentary with David West and a Stills Gallery, but it's a great commentary, and the packaging it terrific. for packaging we get a Reversible Sleeve with Brand-New Artwork from R.P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien and Original Hong Kong Poster Art, a 2-Sided Fold-out poster featuring the two artworks, and a gorgeous Limited Edition O-ring with a glossy, metallic version of the kick-ass R.P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien artwork.
- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
- Limited Edition 2-Sided Fold-out poster
- Audio Commentary with David West
- Mandarin 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
- Stills Gallery
- Limited Edition O-ring
- Reversible Sleeve with Brand-New Artwork from R.P. "Kung Fu Bob" O'Brien and Original Hong Kong Poster Art
Buy it!
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