Well Go USA Entertainment has announced a release date for their upcoming Blu-ray of Emperor Motion Picture’s 4K restoration of Ichi the Killer.
One of Japanese genre auteur Takashi Miike’s most notorious films, Ichi the Killer caused quite a stir upon its 2001 release, its graphic scenes of violence and sadism leading to cuts and outright bans in many countries. Coming two years after the masterful Audition, it also helped to bring the celebrated director firmly to the attention of Western audiences partial to cinema’s more extreme side.
The film was originally shot in Beta and later converted to 35mm, meaning the elements were in poor condition, making Emperor’s restoration of Miike’s gore-drenched opus a painstaking one. The version audience’s will see is also a director’s cut, featuring more gore and brutality! Hooray!
In the film, sadomasochistic Yakuza henchman Kakihara and his goons go in search of their boss, who has disappeared with a lot of money. They soon become the target of Ichi, a deeply sadistic, tortured killer who knocks them off one by one, leading to a showdown with the pain-craving Kakihara.
The restored director’s cut is now rolling out across selected US cinemas. Well Go’s special edition Blu-ray will hit shelves on March 20th.
Words: Kevan Farrow (@KevanX)
