Stars: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Maeda Aki, Yamamoto Taro, Takeshi Kitano

Director: Kinji Fukasaku

Summary: The Japanese nation is in turmoil and on the verge of a collapse, the government must act to stop the violence from the nation's youth. They introduce a new measure 'Battle Royale' in which the pupils in a class from a randomly chosen school are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death...

In Kinji Fukasaku's shocking, apocalyptic film, Japan is on the brink of collapse. The nation's youth have become out of control, leading the government to take drastic measures. The result is the Battle Royale act, which requires that a group of randomly chosen teenage students be transported to a deserted island and forced to fight to the death. In addition to a cast of young talent, BATTLE ROYALE features renowned actor and director "Beat" Takeshi Kitano.

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Reviewed by: cooljimbop
Posted on July 20, 2005 3:21 PM

One of the finest and most popular Asian films, Battle Royale is a masterpiece in terms of terror, emotions and extreme violence. Although it may seem a bit far fetched from the synopsis, it is handled very well. The shocking violence is complimented by the often shocking way the pupils try to deal with the problem. The story can be quite emotional and beautiful at times, then suddenly is juxtaposed by a scene of outright gore. Those new to Asian films may find it strange in parts, but it is definitely worth sticking with.

Reviewed by: davybozal24-7
Posted on October 7, 2006 10:31 AM

Wow !, I thought that Lord of the Flies was a violent iconic film, but this masterpiece takes violence to a whole new erotic level and just like the Japanese, they lay it on thick and very very strong and make it look cool, so any day now, the game show should be on the telly, aye so it will haha. This is a disturbing and sometimes emotional film and you wonder just how the schoolkids will deal with all sorts of situations, when close friends just turn on each other just to survive. ' Beat ' Takeshi is some actor. Great stuff !

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With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence it's only fitting that Kenta Fukasaku's Battle Royaleis being touted as A Clockwork Orangefor the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a series of fleeting images of unruly Japanese school kids, whose bad behaviour provides a justification for the "punishments" which will ensue. To be honest, anyone who has grown up with Grange Hillwill view these aggressive teenagers' acts as pretty moderate, but in the context of Japanese culture, their lack of respect is a challenge to the traditional values of respecting ones elders.

Once the prequel has been dispensed with, the classmates are drugged and awaken on an island where they find they have been fitted with dog collars that monitor their every move. Instructed by their old teacher ("Beat" Takeshi) with the aid of an upbeat MTV-style video, they are told of their fate: after an impartial lottery they have been chosen to fight each other in a three-day, no-rules contest, the "Battle Royale". Their only chance of survival in the "Battle" is through the death of all their classmates. Some pupils embrace their mission with zeal, while others simply give up or try to become peacemakers and revolutionaries. However, the ultimate drive for survival comes from the desire to protect the one you love.

The film looks like a war-flick on occasions, with intense Apocalypse Now-style imagery (check out the classical score blasted over the tannoys with sweeping shots of helicopters). Yet, Battle Royaleworks on many different levels, highlighting the authorities' desperation to enforce law and order and the alienation caused by the generation gap. But whether you view the film as an important social commentary or simply enjoy the adrenalin-fuelled violence, this is set to become cult viewing for the computer game generation and beyond. --Nikki Disney

Aspect Ratio:	Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	Japanese
Region:	Region 0
Special Features:	Star And Director Filmographies, Scene Selection, Original Theatrical Trailer, Stills Gallery, Mark Wyatt Film Notes, Asia Extreme Trailer Reel
Subtitles:	English
Year:	2000
Release Date:	January 21, 2002
Runtime:	109 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	T V D 3353
Label:	Asia Extreme
Keywords:	Action, Subtitled, Battle, General, Royale, Wide, Screen, Japanese, Adventure
Genre:	Action/Adventure