Yakuza Graveyard (1976) (Radiance Films)

[DukeTogo84]

Best news of the year, and I can confirm this will be a US release. This for me is the best Yakuza films of all time, and in my top 20 films of all time. It's truly a remarkable film that will remain in your thoughts years later. This film has gotten subpar releases in the past on DVD, so it will be nice to finally have a proper release. I'll be talking more about this later, but I plan on having a Toei contest later in the year. I'm not joking when I say this is truly one of the best film EVER made. Again, more info to be provided later, but this is fantastic news beyond imagining.






Yakuza Graveyard

When he falls for the beautiful wife of the jailed boss of the Nishida gang, things start to spiral out of control for detective Kuroiwa (Tetsuya Watari, Graveyard of Honour). In a world where the line between police and organised crime is vague, he finds himself on the wrong side of a yakuza war when his superiors favour Nishida’s rivals, the Yamashiro gang. Co-starring the iconic Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood) and featuring Nagisa Oshima as chief of police, Yakuza Graveyard sees director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honour and Humanity) at the peak of his powers.

Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features:

High-Definition digital transfer
Original uncompressed mono PCM audio
Appreciation by filmmaker Kazuya Shiraishi (2022)
The Rage and the Passion - A visual essay by critic Tom Mes on Meiko Kaji and Kinji Fukasaku’s collaborations (2022)
Gallery of promotional imagery
Easter Egg
Trailer
Newly translated English subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mika Ko on the representations of Koreans in the yakuza film, and newly translated re-prints of a contemporary review and writing by screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
Also available in USA/Canada from our partners MVD, Diabolik and Grindhouse - links coming soon!

Year: 1976
Cert: 15
Format: Blu-ray
Region: AB
RAD002BDLE
EAN: 5060974680023
Release date: 5/23/23

Radiance Films Launch Video November 2022 - YouTube

[DukeTogo84]

I love this scene from the film and while it doesn't have subtitles it should speak for itself. Tetsuya Watari is mostly known for Tokyo Drifter and Graveyard of Honor outside of Japan, but I've always considered this film to be his best. Such a complex character amongst many complex characters. A near perfect film.

Yakuza Graveyard (1976) - Noise Complaint - YouTube

[Telstar]

Great news, but where did it come from? Was this a Discord thing?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Telstar

Great news, but where did it come from? Was this a Discord thing?

Blu-ray.com posted a Radiance Films trailer with it included, but prematurely, so it's since been removed.

[DukeTogo84]

I also never posted the trailer. No English subtitles unfortunately. Meiko Kaji is also in the film as a supporting rule even directer Nagisa Oshima makes an appearance. I wouldn't say it's Tetsuya Watari's best peformance, (Graveyard of Honor) but I do think it's the best film he's in. I do think it's Tatsuo Umemiya best though. This is such a good film that I've been thinking about it everyday since we found out it was coming. The Kino DVD was a mess because of some sort of PAL conversation and looked strange, so it will great to have this done correctly after all this time.

Yakuza Graveyard Trailer - YouTube

[DukeTogo84]

Coming in May baby. Updated the main post.

[DukeTogo84]

Pre-order is up for Yakuza Graveyard at Diabolik.

https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...gion-preorder/

I urge everyone who likes crime films to check this one out. I don't want to spoil much, but this is honestly one of the best crime films of all time, and I honestly consider it to be the best crime film out of Japan period. This is truly a remarkable film and one that has stuck with me for nearly 20 years since I first watched it. It shows the brutality and complexity of a world of violence and crime. There are no easy answers and no one is truly good or evil. Just something in between. The performances are all masterful, as is the directing. I consider it a nearly perfect film and one that doesn't waste one second of your time. I consider this to be Fukasaku's best work and very happy it's getting a Blu-ray release finally.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Pre-order is up for Yakuza Graveyard at Diabolik.

https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...gion-preorder/

I urge everyone who likes crime films to check this one out. I don't want to spoil much, but this is honestly one of the best crime films of all time, and I honestly consider it to be the best crime film out of Japan period. This is truly a remarkable film and one that has stuck with me for nearly 20 years since I first watched it. It shows the brutality and complexity of a world of violence and crime. There are no easy answers and no one is truly good or evil. Just something in between. The performances are all masterful, as is the directing. I consider it a nearly perfect film and one that doesn't waste one second of your time. I consider this to be Fukasaku's best work and very happy it's getting a Blu-ray release finally.

Oh I never seen this but it has quite the reputation, I will be adding it for that reason and to support Radiance Films!!!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Oh I never seen this but it has quite the reputation, I will be adding it for that reason and to support Radiance Films!!!

You're in for a treat. If you like those Italian crime films, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this one.

[DukeTogo84]

I'm thinking of doing a support Radiance US Japanese releases contest type thing, where if you buy Big Time Gambling Boss within a certain period, I'll send you Yakuza Graveyard for free for a handful of members here. Not set in stone, but want to support this label and their Japanese releases so figured I'd try something. More news in May.

[javy]

This sounds great, and DukeTogo84 has easily sold me.

[bonehica]

Oops, had this one mixed up with Fukasaku's "Graveyards of Honor", which I already own, and thought it was a double dip. Glad I discovered this is not the case. Will be picking this one up for sure!

[amputd]

The link to Diabolik is for the region B release. When is the US release available?

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Pre-order is up for Yakuza Graveyard at Diabolik.

https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...gion-preorder/

I urge everyone who likes crime films to check this one out. I don't want to spoil much, but this is honestly one of the best crime films of all time, and I honestly consider it to be the best crime film out of Japan period. This is truly a remarkable film and one that has stuck with me for nearly 20 years since I first watched it. It shows the brutality and complexity of a world of violence and crime. There are no easy answers and no one is truly good or evil. Just something in between. The performances are all masterful, as is the directing. I consider it a nearly perfect film and one that doesn't waste one second of your time. I consider this to be Fukasaku's best work and very happy it's getting a Blu-ray release finally.

Originally Posted by amputd

The link to Diabolik is for the region B release. When is the US release available?

If you click on the link it says (US Radiance Films LE) (Blu-Ray All Region) Preorder

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by amputd

The link to Diabolik is for the region B release. When is the US release available?

It's not. It's the US release. It even says "US Radiance Films LE" on the top.

[NathanLurker]

I enjoyed Tetsuya Watari's performance in Outlaw Gangster VIP set from arrow, and Tokyo Drifter. I've never seen Yakuza Graveyard, will gladly pick it up when it's released. I suspect it's a region A+B rather than region free. My copy of Radiance's Big Time Gambling Boss played on region A and Region B mode, not in C.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by NathanLurker

I've never seen Yakuza Graveyard,

In a way I envy you because I would love to experience this film for the first time again. You're in for a real treat with this one as it's one of Watari's best performances although he's slightly better in Graveyard of Honor, but I consider this the better film.

[badfingerboogie]

Been waiting for a way to add this to my little Fukasaku collection for several years - can't wait.

[DukeTogo84]

I'm just hoping a lot of people give this one a shot because I really can't express how good it is. I remember buying the UK DVD nearly 20 years ago and not sure what I was expecting, but remember being floored with my first viewing. I just sat still for awhile after it was over and try my best to process everything I just watched. Such a multi layered film about crime and corruption. It mixes in a cop/yakuza film with elements of Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well and exceeds everything prior.

[foucaultm]

I'm in!