Battle Royale is ten years old this year, and has just been re-released on DVD and Blu-ray.
We look back at director Kinji Fukusakus violent classic…
Even a decade on,Battle Royaleis still a shockingly brutal film.
Instead, Fukasaku explores how the 40 students react in the face of almost certain death.
Some refuse to fight, choosing instead to fling themselves off the nearest cliff.
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Still others take to killing with psychotic relish.
71-years-old and the maker of such films asBattles Without Honor And HumanityandTora!
While working in a munitions factory in World War II, the young Fukusaku was bombed by Allied aircraft.
This urgency and resentment manifests itself in every frame ofBattle Royale.
Irrespective of Fukusas methods, the resultingBattle Royaleis a startling film in all respects.
Fukusaku sadly died from cancer in 2003, having shot only one scene ofBattle Royales sequel,Requiem.
Battle Royalewas therefore Fukusakus final film, and one of the most remarkable swan songs in filmmaking history.
The result is an absolute masterpiece of action, drama and satire.
Battle Royale is out on Blu-ray now.
