Prison Walls - Abashiri Prison 1-3 (1965) (Eureka Entertainment)

[MifuneFan]

Eureka will be releasing the first three films in the classic Abashiri Prison series on May 28th! The release includes a limited edition slipcover with art by the great Tony Stella.

Prison Walls : Abashiri Prison 1-3 (Blu-ray)

https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/pris...ri-prison-1-3/

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Tony Stella [2000 units]
• 1080p HD presentation of all three films from restorations of the original film elements supplied by Toei
• Optional English subtitles newly translated for this release
• Original Japanese audio (uncompressed LPCM mono)
• Brand new audio commentary tracks by Tom Mes, Chris Poggiali and Mike Leeder & Arne Venema
• Tony Rayns on Abashiri Prison – brand new interview with critic and Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns
• Brand new video appreciation by Jasper Sharp and Mark Schilling
• Trailers
• A collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mark Schilling [2000 units)

SYNOPSIS
Constructed in the late nineteenth century to house political prisoners, Japan’s infamous Abashiri Prison served as the inspiration for a popular and prolific run of yakuza movies released between 1965 and 1972. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the first three entries in this landmark series, directed by the “King of Cult” Teruo Ishii (Shogun’s Joy of Torture) and starring a titan of Japanese genre cinema, Ken Takakura (The Bullet Train).

In Abashiri Prison, Takakura stars as Shinichi Tachibana, a yakuza sent to Abashiri as punishment for an attack on a rival gangster. He intends to serve his time as a model prisoner until he is shackled to the bullish Gonzo Gonda (Kōji Nanbara), unwittingly roped into an escape attempt orchestrated by Heizo Yoda (Tōru Abe) and forced to face the frozen wilderness of Hokkaidō. In Another Abashiri Prison Story, Tachibana has just been released when he stumbles across a stash of diamonds recently stolen in a bank heist – and attracts unwanted attention from criminals and cops alike. Finally, in Abashiri Prison: Saga of Homesickness, Tachibana reunites with his former yakuza associates, who are trying to go straight. That is, at least, until old rivals come looking for trouble…

Ken Takakura would reprise the role of Tachibana in another seven films under the Abashiri Prison banner – all of them helmed by Teruo Ishii – before the series was rebooted as New Abashiri Prison in 1968, leading to a further eight instalments with Takakura in the lead. It all began with these early entries, presented here for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.

PRISON WALLS (ABASHIRI PRISON I-III) (Masters of Cinema) New & Exclusive Trailer - YouTube

[DukeTogo84]

Best news of the day! I highly urge people to pre-order this sucker and give these iconic films a shot, so we can get more in the series. Will post more thoughts later. Also, surprised pre-order isn't up at Diabolik yet.

[DukeTogo84]

Ok, now that I'm situated at work, I just wanted to say this is MASSIVE news. Massive. The third film in this set is literally one of the best Toei films ever made and is just so damn bad ass. Think Big Time Gamblin Boss, but maybe even better?

This is really going to be a great year for Toei genre film fans. A lot is coming. A lot.

[Fabs]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Best news of the day! I highly urge people to pre-order this sucker and give these iconic films a shot, so we can get more in the series. Will post more thoughts later. Also, surprised pre-order isn't up at Diabolik yet.

I’m always in for more classic Japanese cinema

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Fabs

I’m always in for more classic Japanese cinema

You're going to like these. These are some of the most iconic Toei films from the 60's and was a HUGE hit in Japan. There are 11 films in the main series and 7 more I believe that followed the same style and and name.

I never thought anyone would release these because the expectations to release so many, but hopefully these do well for Eureka and we get more.

[Fabs]

I always knew about the first film, as I heard it was one of the more famous films from that period. But I never got the chance to watch it though. The second film sounds even better, regarding the plot about the diamonds.

And of course I love supporting releases like these, hoping that it will spur more in the future (especially from Eureka in the US).

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Fabs

I always knew about the first film, as I heard it was one of the more famous films from that period. But I never got the chance to watch it though. The second film sounds even better, regarding the plot about the diamonds.

And of course I love supporting releases like these, hoping that it will spur more in the future (especially from Eureka in the US).

The second film is actually considered to be the worst in the series believe it or not, but the third is considered to be the best by many, and the first the most iconic. I personally remember liking the second film, but don't remember it very well outside of the ending.

[DukeTogo84]

Man, first these are announced and then Sympathy for the Underdog. It's already going to be a really good year for Toei films, and think it's a safe bet we'll be getting a lot more of their films in the future.

Either way, really hope these films do well for Eureka as it would be amazing to get more of the series.

[DukeTogo84]

New lower price on Amazon, which is pretty good for three of the most iconic Japanese 60's films.

https://www.amazon.com/Prison-Walls-...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[DukeTogo84]

In stock at Diabolik

https://diabolikdvd.com/product/pris...-ray-preorder/

Mine won't ship out until the Valiant Ones comes in, which I'm surprised hasn't happened yet. Either way, I REALLY hope people support this release so we can get more in this series. I love these films.

[Sommerswerd]

came across this review: https://blueprintreview.co.uk/2024/0...on-1-3-eureka/

[DukeTogo84]

Expect to see this review in a few spots on this forum, but got home a little early yesterday from work and decided to watch all three Abashiri films from the Eureka release.

These are honestly long overdue for western appraisal. We never even got a DVD of the first film which was one of the biggest Japanese films of the 60's. Even though they star the same character the films from this set feel different. The first is a prison break film, the second a recover the diamonds film, and the third is a straight up ninkyo eiga/60's yakuza film about doing what's "right".

The first is the film that that will probably be the most entertaining for most, although I think the third film is probably the best, and despite of the fact of the title, there is NO prison in this film. Ken Takakura is one cool cat in these films, and I can understand why these films shot him to stardom. Kunie Tanaka is the comic relief and Kanjûrô Arashi is the bad ass old man in all three films.

In terms of PQ, the first seems to have been restored, although it does have a digital look and looks to have a decent amount of DNR. The second and third look very film like which makes the appearance of the first film a bit more jarring. Special features are mostly on the second disc and we get to hear some thoughts from the usual Japanese experts, including Jasper Sharp.

Overall, a very SOLID package and good effort from Eureka. I truly hope this sells well, because these are very entertaining films and it would be a shame if we didn't get more in the series.

[Sommerswerd]

DVDBeaver review: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/Film13/blu-...ls_blu-ray.htm

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

The first is the film that that will probably be the most entertaining for most, although I think the third film is probably the best, and despite of the fact of the title, there is NO prison in this film. Ken Takakura is one cool cat in these films, and I can understand why these films shot him to stardom. Kunie Tanaka is the comic relief and Kanjûrô Arashi is the bad ass old man in all three films.

I just finished watching this set. The first film was disappointing to me. I was really glad that the series went in a much different direction for the next two films. I don't see much replay value for myself but did find it interesting that in one of the interviews it was mentioned that the first 3 sequels in this series were in the top 6 Japanese box office in 1965.

[Takuma]

Originally Posted by russweiss1

I just finished watching this set. The first film was disappointing to me. I was really glad that the series went in a much different direction for the next two films. I don't see much replay value for myself but did find it interesting that in one of the interviews it was mentioned that the first 3 sequels in this series were in the top 6 Japanese box office in 1965.

The figures at 年代流行 actually suggest parts 2-4 were TOP 6 hits in 1965, but not part 1.

1965年映画（邦画）ランキング
1位 赤ひげ (Red Beard) 3.6億円
2位 網走番外地　北海篇 (Abashiri Prison 4) 2.9億円
3位 関東果し状 (Kanto Fight Challenge) 2.5億円
4位 網走番外地　望郷篇 (Abashiri Prison 3) 2.4億円
5位 日本侠客伝　関東篇 (Tales of Japanese Chivalry-Kanto Story) 2.4億円
6位 続・網走番外地 (Abashiri Prison 2) 2.2億円
7位 大冒険 (The Crazy Adventure) 2.1億円
8位 クレージーの無責任清水港 (The Boss of Pick-Pocket Bay ) 1.8億円
9位 怪獣大戦争 (Invasion of Astro-Monster ) 1.8億円
10位 四つの恋の物語 (The Four Loves ) 1.8億円

1966年映画（邦画）ランキング
1位 網走番外地　大雪原の対決 (Abashiri Prison 7) 2.4億円
2位 絶唱 (No Greater Love ) 2.4億円
3位 網走番外地　南国の対決 (Abashiri Prison 6) 2.3億円
4位 レッツゴー！若大将 (Let's Go, Young Guy!) 2.3億円
5位 アルプスの若大将 (It Started in the Alps ) 2.3億円
6位 クレージーだよ　天下無敵 (Industrial Spy Free for All) 2.0億円
7位 愛と死の記録 (A Record of Love and Death) 2.0億円
8位 クレージーだよ　奇想天外 (The Man from Planet Alpha) 1.9億円
9位 網走番外地　荒野の対決 (Abashiri Prison 5) 1.9億円
10位 クレージー大作戦 ( Operation Crazy) 1.9億円

1967年映画（邦画）ランキング
1位 黒部の太陽 (The Sands of Kurobe) 7.9億円
2位 日本のいちばん長い日 (Japan's Longest Day) 4.4億円
3位 クレージー黄金作戦 (Las Vegas Free-for-All) 3.2億円
4位 クレージーの怪盗ジバコ (The Crazy's Thieving Zhivago) 2.4億円
5位 ゴー！ゴー！若大将 (Let's Go, Young Guy!) 2.2億円
6位 日本一の男の中の男 (Japan's No. 1 Best Man) 2.1億円
7位 あゝ同期の桜 (Diaries of the Kamikaze) 2.0億円
8位 座頭市血煙り街道 (Zatoichi Challenged) 1.9億円
9位 人間魚雷　あゝ回天特別攻撃隊 (Human Torpedoes) 1.7億円
10位 網走番外地　悪への挑戦 (Abashiri Prison 9) 1.6億円

Also, 6 of the 8 New Abashiri Prison films were annual TOP 10 hits.

The series remains one of the most popular things Toei has ever produced.

Originally Posted by Takuma

7位 愛と死の記録 (A Record of Love and Death) 2.0億円

Completely unrelated, but this is a terrific Koreyoshi Kurahara film with Sayuri Yoshinaga and Tetsuya Watari. I rewatched it about a month ago with my wife as part of a "Atomic Bomb Quadruple Feature" that I put together (consisting of The Man Who Stole The Sun, A Record of Love and Death, Oppenheimer, and Godzilla Minus One).

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by russweiss1

I just finished watching this set. The first film was disappointing to me. I was really glad that the series went in a much different direction for the next two films. I don't see much replay value for myself but did find it interesting that in one of the interviews it was mentioned that the first 3 sequels in this series were in the top 6 Japanese box office in 1965.

Even though it wasn't my favorite, I do think the first film did things a bit different that was kind of the norm for the time. It felt more like a real story than the rest. With that being said, I loved the third one the most as it's a really iconic type of film from the period and the most rewarding experience I would say. I'd watch the third film again in a heartbeat, and hope the others films are also released.

[DukeTogo84]

Wonder how these did overall for Eureka, and hoping they moved enough copies so we can get another set. I love these films and hopefully more people check them out.

[Piggles]

Don't know if it's been cheaper anywhere before, but Amazon has it discounted along with a possible extra 30% coupon, bringing it to $25.26 after taxes.

I haven't seen the movies and am not very big on the genre, but I ordered it anyway this morning and got delivered a little while ago.

[Martin_31]

I bought this when Diabolik had a few Eureka US titles on sale. Have not watched them yet.

[DukeTogo84]

Loved this set. Still hoping Eureka gives us a second, but they have been quiet when it comes to Japanese cinema in general.