Red Peony Gambler 1-3 (1968-1969) coming from Eureka - Blu-ray Forum

whiteberry · 03-22-2024, 08:05 AM

Quote:

SYNOPSIS

Originally released between 1968 and 1972, the Red Peony Gambler series is a cornerstone of the ninkyo eiga genre and a clear influence on such cult favourites such as Lady Snowblood and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present the first three Red Peony Gambler films, starring Sumiko Fuji (13 Assassins) and directed by three titans of Japanese genre cinema in Kōsaku Yamashita, Norifumi Suzuki and Tai Katō.

Set during the Meiji era, Red Peony Gambler stars Fuji as Ryuko Yano, the daughter of a gambler. When her father is murdered, Ryuko takes on a new name derived from the crimson flower tattooed on her shoulder – “Oryu, the Red Peony” – and sets out for revenge. Then, in Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation, Oryu falls in with a group of yakuza attempting to monopolise the silk trade. When machinations within the gang lead to a betrayal, the Red Peony takes action. Finally, in Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game, Oryu meets a pair of star-crossed lovers as she becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival yakuza clans.

Fuji would go on to play the Red Peony five more times, cementing the character as the archetype for many of the vengeful women to follow in Japanese cinema and beyond. These early entries in the Red Peony Gambler series are presented here for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju) [2000 copies]
1080p HD presentation of all three films from restorations of the original film elements supplied by Toei
Original Japanese audio tracks (uncompressed LPCM mono)
Optional English Subtitles
Brand new audio commentary tracks on all three films
Tony Rayns on Red Peony Gambler – brand new interview with critic and Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns
Trailers
A collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Jennifer Coates (Making Icons: Repetition and the Female Image in Japanese Cinema, 1945–1964) and Joe Hickinbottom

https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/red-peony-gambler-1-3/

Original Trailers:

1st Movie

2nd Movie

3rd Movie

New Trailer:

whiteberry · 03-22-2024, 08:20 AM

Whoever wrote the synopsis should probably have used "Junko Fuji" because that is the name she used when she made her Toei movies. She didn't start using "Sumiko Fuji" until the late 80s. Her daughter is actress Shinobu Terajima.

The theme song was sung by Junko herself:

It was released as a single in 1968:
https://www.discogs.com/release/6973...8D%9A%E5%BE%92

whiteberry · 03-22-2024, 08:25 AM

For those who are only interested in the kills by Junko and her co-stars:

whiteberry · 03-22-2024, 10:18 AM

There were eight movies in the Red Peony Gambler series and two movies in a spin-off series (Silk Hat Boss) that focused on Tomisaburo Wakayama's character.

Red Peony Gambler series

Hibotan bakuto (1968)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063064/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Isshuku ippan (1968)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063065/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Hanafuda shôbu (1969)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064426/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Nidaime shûmei (1969)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064427/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Tekkaba retsuden (1969)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064428/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Oryû sanjô (1970)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063066/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Oinochi itadaki masu (1971)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067199/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Hibotan bakuto: Jingi tooshimasu (1972)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068697/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Silk Hat Boss spin-off series

Shiruku hatto no ô-oyabun (1970)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063604/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

Shiruku hatto no ô-oyabun: chobi-hige no kuma (1970)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359977/

Trailer:

[Show spoiler]

All ten movies were fansubbed around 15 years ago. If you look around, you'll find English subtitled copies of them.

moviemaker · 01-02-2025, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteberry

For those who are only interested in the kills by Junko and her co-stars:

Red Peony Gambler (1968) Killcount - YouTube

Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler's Obligation (1968) Killcount - YouTube

Red Peony Gambler 3: The Hanafuda Match (1969) Killcount - YouTube

Thank you for this.

I was intrigued but completely in the dark on this series. Obviously it's not about the kills (coming from someone who for example enjoys Tarantino and Bela Tarr in equal measure) but those examples helped to give me a sense of the style and tone --which is everything. Love the singing too. You sold me!

Ikari · 09-05-2025, 07:59 PM

Looks like the french are getting the whole 8 films set?

https://laboutique.carlottafilms.com...saga-integrale

Sleazeaddict · 09-05-2025, 08:18 PM

yes they are, should have waited.

Thomas Veil · 09-05-2025, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleazeaddict

yes they are, should have waited.

no english subs though.

KimNewmansBeard · 09-06-2025, 02:51 PM

Hopefully Eureka have the rest of them lined up for a blu ray release seeing as they have announced Shogun’s Samurai, which is also a Toei film.

bleedandtrim · 09-06-2025, 04:20 PM

Didn't they say the first set hadn't sold enough to warrant continuation or was that just the Abashiri Prison series?

JackyJacquard · 09-06-2025, 06:18 PM

Surely would be the Abashiri Prison series as they’ve still got 75 LEs plus whatever’s at other retailers kicking around, 14 months after release, and had it on sale at least twice that I know of.

Whereas Red Peony sold out and got a standard edition in 6 months.

09-06-2025, 02:51 PM	#9
KimNewmansBeard Active Member Member since:May 2018 Location:Scotland	Hopefully Eureka have the rest of them lined up for a blu ray release seeing as they have announced Shogun’s Samurai, which is also a Toei film. Last edited by KimNewmansBeard; 09-06-2025 at 02:53 PM. Reason: .

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-05-2025, 07:59 PM	#6
Ikari Active Member Member since:Nov 2011 Location:Slovenia	Looks like the french are getting the whole 8 films set? https://laboutique.carlottafilms.com...saga-integrale

09-05-2025, 08:18 PM	#7
Sleazeaddict Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Nov 2014 Trading Score:1	yes they are, should have waited.

09-06-2025, 04:20 PM	#10
bleedandtrim Expert Member Member since:Aug 2019 Location:UK 4K collection:69 Blu-ray collection:835 DVD collection:136	Didn't they say the first set hadn't sold enough to warrant continuation or was that just the Abashiri Prison series?

09-06-2025, 06:18 PM	#11
JackyJacquard Special Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2024 4K collection:492 Blu-ray collection:1430 DVD collection:72 Trading Score:1	Surely would be the Abashiri Prison series as they’ve still got 75 LEs plus whatever’s at other retailers kicking around, 14 months after release, and had it on sale at least twice that I know of. Whereas Red Peony sold out and got a standard edition in 6 months.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals