Yakuza Law Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video offers "Yakuza Law" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The remastering by Toei Company, Ltd. has produced one of the better presentations of a vintage Toei film, though some minor deficiencies are noted. The image clarity is somewhat variable, likely due to Director Ishii's occasional use of diffusion filters. However, outdoor scenes particularly stand out with deeply saturated blue skies and lush green foliage, indicating good density levels throughout. Fine details in sets and costumes are excellently rendered, offering a precise visual experience.

The grain structure is generally natural, although the Toei masthead exhibits heavy and splotchy grain which reverts to normal as the film proceeds. There is a possibility of high-frequency filtering having been applied, leading to less gritty grain than expected. The palette occasionally appears slightly faded with a brown or yellowish undertone, yet colors remain strong and contrast is robust, especially in the numerous night or shadowed scenes. The transfer is notably clean, free from major specks, scratches, or blemishes. Overall, this release showcases a well-executed effort by Arrow Video and Toei, providing an engaging viewing experience with minimal age-related wear and no evident compression anomalies.

The audio presentation of the Blu Ray for "Yakuza Law" is delivered via an LPCM Mono track, featuring 1.0 PCM lossless audio in Japanese. While the track is overall serviceable and listenable, it exhibits some minor flaws that impact the overall experience. Notably, listeners may encounter slight crackling and noticeable distortion at higher amplitudes, particularly during the initial announcement as the credits roll and when the music reaches more intense highs. This distortion also occasionally affects dialogue during more intense scenes.

Despite these issues, the fidelity of the audio remains generally acceptable, presenting clear dialogue and music most of the time. The occasional hurdles that the track meets do not significantly detract from the overall audio quality, with things sounding decent if not absolutely perfect. Therefore, while the LPCM Mono track might not match the video element's quality, it still provides a satisfactory auditory experience for viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for "Yakuza Law" offer an immersive and detailed exploration of Teruo Ishii's prolific career and the context of his work. The highlight is Jasper Sharp’s audio commentary, which provides a wealth of information about Ishii, the cast, and the cultural nuances influencing his films. Additionally, the archival interview in "Erotic-Grotesque and Genre Hopping" presents Ishii speaking candidly about his directorial approaches and experiences within the Japanese film industry. The inclusion of an image gallery and a well-composed insert booklet further enriches the supplemental content, making these extras a valuable resource for enthusiasts of Japanese cinema and Ishii’s eclectic filmography.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary by Jasper Sharp: Insightful commentary on Ishii's work and cultural context. Erotic-Grotesque and Genre Hopping: Archival interview showcasing Ishii's perspectives. Image Gallery: A collection of film-related images. Insert Booklet: Includes an essay by Tom Mes titled "The Long Harm of the Law."

Yakuza Law, directed by Teruo Ishii, is an unapologetically violent depiction of Japanese gangster life, set across three time periods: the Edo period, the Taisho era of the 1920s, and the contemporary 1960s. The film's structure, divided into three distinct vignettes, presents the repercussions of breaking the yakuza code, covering offenses such as theft and adultery. From its opening credits—an unrestrained montage of grisly torture scenes—it's evident that the movie revels in gore, appealing to aficionados of Japanese cult cinema and Ishii's characteristically provocative style.

The narrative spans centuries but maintains a constant theme of brutal retribution. The first tale centers on the Edo period with characters like Tsune and Tomozo, illustrating an "eye for an eye" philosophy. In the second story, set in the 1920s, Ogata’s quest for vengeance after being shunned by his gang highlights themes of loyalty and individualism. The final, modern vignette introduces a chaotic scramble for stolen gold in the 1960s, showcasing collapsing moral codes in post-war Japan. Each segment reinforces the notion that transgressions are met with extreme punishments, often tainted by the bosses' arbitrary and paranoid behavior.

Graphically violent by any era’s standards, Yakuza Law includes scenes of severed appendages, gouged eyes, and impalements that flaunt explicit special effects. While sometimes primitive and unconvincing, the utterly visceral experiences underscore Ishii's intent to unsettle. Despite simplistic narratives and lack of emotional connections to characters, the film features notable genre stars like Bunta Sugawara, Minoru Oki, and Teruo Yoshida. Ishii’s utilization of widescreen framings injects visual dynamism into this otherwise gruesome spectacle. Overall, Yakuza Law stands as a starkly vivid testament to yakuza mythos, encapsulating societal shifts and the dark underbelly of gangster life in an increasingly chaotic world.

Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of "Yakuza Law" serves up Teruo Ishii's notorious homage to the violent world of Japanese gangsters with a peculiar zest for bloody mayhem. The narrative may lack depth and compelling storytelling, a common critique among viewers. However, the movie compensates for this with an abundance of bizarre sequences and outlandish brutality, which can be both a draw and a deterring factor depending on one's taste for cinematic extremity.

The manic energy infused in the film by utterly excessive and generally unbelievable violence can prove memorable. It is this unrelenting depiction of hellish torment that offers a morbid fascination, ensuring that "Yakuza Law" remains an intriguing piece of work, particularly for fans of Ishii's unorthodox style. When compared to Ishii's more celebrated works such as "Horrors of Malformed Men," this film may not hit the same heights of originality but still has its own quirky allure within the niche of Japanese gangster and torture sub-genres.

In terms of technical quality, Arrow Video’s Blu-ray presentation is commendable, though it is not without a few audio hiccups. The video transfer is generally solid, which ensures that the gritty aesthetics and frenetic visuals remain intact. As usual with Arrow's releases, the supplemental materials included are substantial and add notable value for collectors and aficionados considering the purchase.

Even genre fans may find this particular Ishii entry on the odd side, but my hunch is for Ishii fans there's enough of his patented weirdness here that they'll find the film generally interesting if never completely captivating. The lunatic violence is never completely (and in some cases, frankly not even partially) believable, but it gives this film a kind of manic energy that is memorable, one way or the other. Video is generally solid, but audio encounters a few hurdles. As usual, Arrow has provided some nice supplements for those considering a purchase.