The Rapacious Jailbreaker by Radiance: Blu-ray Release on May 20

Radiance is set to release a Blu-ray edition of Sadao Nakajima's acclaimed film, The Rapacious Jailbreaker (1974), an enthralling exploration of the tumultuous post-World War II era in Japan. This collector's item, hopping onto markets in Region-A/B on May 20, 2025 in the U.S. and May 19, 2025 in the UK, reflects Nakajima's adept storytelling employed at its finest.

Centered around the character Ueda, played by Hiroki Matsukata—applauded for his roles in films like Cops vs Thugs—the film captures his gritty journey through the Japanese penal system as a relentless prison escapee. This authentic narrative is built on the real-life exploits of a notorious seven-time escape artist, cementing its place in the epochal 1970s Japanese crime cinema.

The Blu-ray promises not just a vivid restoration with its high-definition digital transfer but is enriched by exclusive features including uncompressed PCM mono audio, and a newly composed English subtitle translation. For yakuza enthusiasts, an insightful audio commentary by Nathan Stuart will accompany the film, alongside a visual essay provided by Tom Mes. Met with reversible sleeve options featuring striking art designs, this release caters to discerning collectors.

The packaging embraces an archival touch with a meticulously curated booklet holding fresh insights by Earl Jackson and an historical review of the film itself. Limited to a run of 3,000, it comes presented in a coveted Scanavo package with an optional OBI strip.

Release Contents:

• High-Definition digital transfer: Quality restoration of the film.
• Original uncompressed PCM mono audio: Clean and rich sound.
• Audio commentary by yakuza film expert Nathan Stuart (2025): Expert insights into the genre and film.
• Visual essay on Sadao Nakajima by Tom Mes (2025): Analysis of the director's work.
• New English subtitle translation: Accessibility for English-speaking audiences.
• Reversible sleeve: Featuring original and newly commissioned artwork.
• Limited edition booklet: Contains new writing by Earl Jackson, archival review.

Release Date: 20/05/2025