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With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence, it's only fitting that Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale is being touted as a Clockwork Orange for the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a series of fleeting images of unruly Japanese schoolchildren, whose bad behavior provides a justification for the "punishments" that will ensue. Once the prequel has been dispensed with, the classmates are drugged and awaken on an island where they find they have been fitted with dog collars that monitor their every move. Instructed by their old teacher ("Beat" Takeshi) with the aid of an upbeat MTV-style video, they are told of their fate: after an impartial lottery they have been chosen to fight each other in a three-day, no-rules contest, the "Battle Royale." Their only chance of survival is through the death of all their classmates.

Some pupils embrace their mission with zeal, while others simply give up or try to become peacemakers and revolutionaries. However, the ultimate drive for survival comes from the desire to protect the one you love. Battle Royale works on many different levels, highlighting the authorities' desperation to enforce law and order and the alienation caused by the generation gap. Whether you consider the film an important social commentary or simply watch it for the adrenaline-fueled violence, this is set to become cult viewing for the computer game generation and beyond. --Nikki Disney ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Violent social commentary
In near-future Japan, a law has been passed which requires that a class be randomly selected, fitted with explosive collars to ensure compliance, and released on an island with instructions to battle to the death. Some become killers very quickly and easily, while others resist succumbing. This very dark comedy follows the experience of one class and the students who beat the system.

Director Kinji Fukasaku, who was in his seventies when he made the film, juxtaposed the uniquely Japanese cliches of "pure" youth and chirpy cuteness with brutal ultraviolence to comment on a society in which the generation gap has reached an apocalyptic level: this is a world where the older generation's feelings of resentment, shame, and guilt toward the younger results in a hatred and fear of its own children. This film's satiric intent is underscored by the irrationality of the so-called "BK law" itself; it is never explained how forcing one group of students to kill each other each year is supposed to benefit society.

A very interesting extrapolation of current trends in Japanese society.

Teachers, Leave Them Kids Alone
Certainly one of the most original and impressive movies of the last years, "Battle Royale" presents an intriguing premise and a superb execution. In a near future, the Japanese Government concludes that the downfall of the country is increasing due to the shallowness and free spirit of its youngsters. In order to make kids more motivated and capable, a special unit sends a high-school class to a desert island where the students will have to kill each other until only one survives. If they refuse to do that, they all will be killed within three days.

Yes, this is a far fetched concept, still it works surprinsigly well and manages to be a superb comment on the grim, hopeless and desperate atmosphere that surrounds modern societies. "Battle Royale" isn`t an easy movie to watch, since some parts are truly shocking, gut-wrenching and unexpected, yet it`s a strong and memorable cinematic experience, different from most of the disposable and formulaic flicks around. It expertly mixes drama, tension, horror, action, humour and gore, managing to be compelling and consistent throughout.

The character development is good enough, but it`s hard to develop so many characters (around 40) at once. It`s interesting to see how people react when they have to face such an extreme situation, acting under fear and suspition while dealing with their schoolmates. "Battle Royale" could easily have turned into a violent and empty sequence of action numbers with cool camera angles, but it wisely avoids that perspective and instead creates a gripping, multi-layered and complex narrative.

This is a superb effort that approaches key subjects like the first steps into adulthood, the conditions of love and friendship, trust and commitment, loneliness and individualism, future choices, totalitary systems and life in general. A gloomy, dark and ambiguous achievement, this Kinji Fukasaku effort delivers a surreal social commentary with some incredibly clever, poignant and creative ideas.

An unforgettable battle.

EXCELLENT ¿ a mind-blowing exposition of teenage angst
This is, hands down, the BEST MOVIE COMING OUT OF JAPAN IN YEARS. As a reviewer who read the book first and loved it, I had high expectations for this movie and it did not let me down. Here's a quick plot summary: the Japanese government is in chaos. The adults are afraid the youth, who are apparently uncontrollable and boycott school. Therefore, the government institutes `Battle Royale', a program designed to rein in the youth. A ninth-grade class is randomly selected each year, sent to a deserted island, supplied with weapons, and forced to kill each other until there is one survivor. I would have thought it difficult for a movie to track all 42 kids. In the book, this is fine since the book is 600+ pages. But this also works very well in the movie since the director somehow gives almost all the characters substantial screen time and v. memorable scenes. He doesn't cut any character short. And even the short scenes have real poignancy. Therefore, we remember almost all the characters, what they did, and how they died.

THE ACTING IS SUPERB. The kids in this movie are played by actors between 15-20 years old. With the exception of one or two, the actors were v. believable and conveyed all the teenage angst, suspicion, hatred, rage, love, goodness, and all the other goodies in the book. And even when they are doing terrible things to each other, they are still sympathetic characters since we understand they are deathly scared and are still young....that unique balance is crucial to the movie's success. Just to mention a few standouts: ERI ISHIKAWA (Yukie Utsumi) is the best actress, best-looking girl, and my favorite in this entire movie. She's perfect as the class representative who tries to calm everyone down but ends up feeling the same suspicion that is doing her classmates in. Her lighthouse scene is the most memorable scene in the film, and in my opinion, one of the best scenes in the history of cinema; just watch her face...aahhhh, that is perfect acting... TAKESHI "BEAT" KITANO (Kitano) is the perfect combination of menace and sympathy as the teacher who sends the kids to their deaths and reads out the names of the dead with phrases like, `Here is your list of goners! Only 3 dead. You're slacking off, I'm disappointed with you!' I love how emotions can flicker on and off his face; at one point, he can be scary and mean and terrible as hell; at other times, we feel sorry for him! TATSUYA FUJIWARA (Shuya Nanahara) and AKI MAEDA (Noriko Nakagawa) are fantastic as the couple we root for. Aki Maeda, especially, looks adorable in the movie and conveys innocence and purity so well. TARO YAMAMOTO (Shogo Kawada) is one of my fave characters in this movie and is the best bad-ass I've seen in movies for a while. He looks simultaneously tough and soft, which gives him an interesting complex. MASANOBU ANDO (Kazuo Kiriyama) and KOU SHIBASAKI (Mitsuko Souma) are deliciously wicked as the class's two crazy/wild ones, the two that are consciously going out to kill their classmates without remorse. And, on a vain note, SOUSUKE TAKAOKA, who plays the sweet and caring Hiroki Sugimura, is a major hottie.

The DIALOGUE in this movie, like the book, is sometimes cringe-worthy (you know, like, `Damn! I survived, thanks to my excellent bulletproof vest!!'). However, because it is usually delivered perfectly and on target, I hardly noticed it. (It may also be because the actors were speaking Japanese and I was only reading subtitles because I can't understand Japanese.) Although I did like the book better than the movie (tells you how good the book was since I think the movie is FANTASTIC), there are some moments in the movie that outshine even the book because of the acting and the way the dialogue is delivered. For example, Yukie's LIGHTHOUSE SCENE is much better in the movie than it is in the book. I love the way their voices become delirious and the way their anger escalates (it's nearly palpable!).

Also, the setting is well-done, too. There are a lot of neutral and cool colors like whites, grays, and cool blues that set the mood and provide a contrast for all the bright red blood. That reminds me: this movie has, like the book, been criticized as VIOLENT EXPLOITATION. That is understandable since the movie shows young classmates killing each other in messy, realistic ways, some willfully and some out of fear. The movie is v. bloody and v. violent and sometimes gratuitous. I normally don't like violence, I don't like blood and guts and gore flying everywhere. I really hate those `Halloween' and `Freddy' and `Texas Chainsaw Massacre' type movies because blood spills needlessly and in an excessive/stupid way. But `Battle Royale' is different. The violence will sometimes make your stomach turn, but you'll think, that's the only way it could have been done.

And lastly, I have to praise the way CLASSICAL MUSIC is used in this movie. It's done in a v. artsy way that makes you think about the horrible things you've seen and make sense out of it, and I loved it. The use of Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi's `DIES IRAE (REQUIEM MASS)' in the opening sequence is especially incredible. It practically lets you know that you're in for a wild, thought-provoking, horrific, unique, and exciting ride. Also, MASAMICHI AMANO (the composer) did a great job on the original music in `Battle Royale.' I've listened to most of the soundtrack and think every one I've listened to has real poignancy and feeling. The way it is used in the film is even better; it brings even more meaning to what the kids are feeling and what they are doing.

This is an INCREDIBLE movie - a mind-blowing exposition of the minds of teenagers and a fantastic exercise of style. I LOVED this movie. After watching it, you will be thinking about it for days; all the scenes of teenage angst will not leave your mind too easily. I give it my highest recommendation...go watch it right now!!

A great movie for anyone........over 13.
Japan's economy has fallen. Students are boycotting school. Unemployment rate is at 15%. What does the government decide to do? Pass the Battle Royale Act.
Abnormal plot for a movie you're thinking. It is, but still a great movie. The BR(battle royale) act is simple.you gotta kill all your classmates till only one lives.you are given a bag of food , water, and a random weapon. some ppl get lucky and get a gun, and some get a potlid. lol
A random class is chosen for this act each yr. this yrs is just anotehr class. but every character has a simple background that is built as long as they live.
everyone is different with their ideas. some want to stop this act of horror with peace. others just accept what they have to do. but in the end, love is everyones strongest motivation.you wont be disappointed by this movie. but remember suspension of reality!

A true foreign film classic!
This movie is truly awesome. It works on every level from social commentary/satire, horror, action, drama, romance, and just pure fun. This is what people who dismiss subtitled films are really missing out on. Now that I'm done gushing, I'll give you the review. The film involves a group of around 40 students in a classroom that has been randomly chosen for the government's BR (Battle Royale....duh!) program. The children are gassed and placed on a secluded island where they are shown a hilariously satirical (and extremely upbeat) instructional video instructing them that they are to kill each other and the last boy or girl standing gets to go home. Each student receives a package containing water, map, compass, etc. and a weapon, some useless like a soup pot lid and some lethal, such as a sickle or even a machine gun. Any resistance explodes a steel collar that has been placed around each student's neck. Let the carnage begin! Kill Bill fans will recognize one familiar face in the brilliantly psychotic Chiaki Kuriyama (minus her ball-and-chain). As the killfest commences, different strategies emerge. Some students seek and destroy their former comrades while others band together and hide out and some simply do themselves in rather than participate in the blood bath. Some even hatch a plot to hack into the BR computer system and bring the battle to a halt. Then there's that mysterious "exchange student" who showed up in class for the first time on the day of the Battle Royale and seems just a little too thrilled with it all as he mows down everyone he comes across without a word. So much fun! You see each and every death and the movie counts down the students as they die until it's all over. The battles are very gritty and real; sorry, no kung fu or anime-style sword battles. This is the most enjoyable foreign film I've seen since Versus, and this is by far the better film. If you have even heard of this movie you owe it to yourself to own it. It begs to be watched again and again. Heck, with such a strong premise, Battle Royale could be a franchise in the making; it could literally be remade a dozen ways and still kick ass. Anyhow check it out, you won't be dissappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I'M QUITE DISSAPOINTED IN THIS MOVIE
A PRINCESS AND 8 SAMURAIS BATTLE THE HIKIMA CLAN. THE MOVIE HAS SOME GOOD SWORDFIGHTS, BUT THE MOVIE'S ALSO TOO LONG, TOO SLOW MOVING AT TIMES, AND IT'S JUST A TRIAL TO SIT THROUGH AT TIMES!NOT TO MENTION, THE DUBBING IS HORRENDOUS. MARTIAL ARTS FANS SHOULD SKIP THIS ONE. THERE'S MUCH BETTER MOVIES OUT THERE THAN THIS.

Legend of the Eight Morons
This film had all the makings of a Kung Fu classic. It definately has a style of an ancient Japanese legend, and the style and storytelling only add to that. However...its marred by several things.

One is character development. OK, so each of the eight samurai are different some how, that doesn't really help the fact that most of them we only get to know for about five minutes.

The second is development of the story. This thing drags on forever, and one reason being the princess - whom the Samurai are supposed to PROTECT - gets KIDNAPPED every other minute! I'm not kidding. She must get kidnapped or attacked four or five times in this movie, the last being by the main villainess who takes the princess back to her castle. Doh! Good one samurais! They're supposed to be the eight greatest in Japan, but the Planeteers are more competant than these guys!

The film also suffers from some corny moments, the biggest being at the end when the female assassin samurai is told by one of the bad guys she knew only in a five second fight before: "I have always loved you!" and dies. Before she dies, she clasps the wall and cries out: "I have never in my life been loved!" and then dies. And the audience, of course, is left thinking, "Where in the hell are these two related to each other?!"

Then there's the ending. The whole point of the Eight Samurai protecting the princess is so that her family bloodline can continue and her clan may flourish, but at the end of the movie the princess runs to the handsome, young samurai and declares: "I don't care about the clan, I just want to live with you!"

WHAT THE HELL?! Why didn't she do that at the beginning of the movie? What was the whole point of the two hours we just went through?!

So the film definately became a downer for me shortly after that moment. Its not a kung-fu classic and I wouldn't even suggest renting it. Wait until it comes on late at night on TBS or some thing, and then decide for yourself if you want to own a copy.

wonderful visuals butthe Japanese script was better
I first saw this film in the original Japanese as "Satomi Hakenden." I was not disappointed in the visuals but I couldn't help cringing at the awful American "translation." They got the basic idea right but the language they chose took a powerful coming of age story and made it sound ridiculous. If you can't get the original, get this just for the visuals and play it with the sound turned down.

Suprisingly good fantasy epic
Eight mysterious crystals from the body of a long dead princess now identify the eight samurai who are destined to help a beautiful young princess overcome a curse on her royal family. They are set against an evil queen who is immortal.

The queen and her son live in a castle assisted by two ghouls, first, a blind witch , and second, a snake charmer, and a legion of anonymous samurai. The eight samurai (called ninja in the film due to the popularity of ninja in the 80's) have individual skills that the princess will require to defeat the queen and the demon who gives the queen her power.

Borrowing greatly from Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Sonny Chiba's character relies on the earlier portrayal of Kambai. The story focuses however on the love story between the princess and one of her samurai, a very Kikuchyo-esqe farmer turned samurai who fights like a madman in the finale.

The photography is borderline excellent and especially vibrant. Swordfights are frequent and dazzling, most involve the samurai being vastly outnumbered. Choreography, although not up to modern standards, is adequate and exciting. Certain scenes are staged very well, including the brief fight in a garden with flowered trees where the wind blowing during the fight cause the petals to fall like snow.

Despite frequent location changes the story seems to flow rapidly and evenly except that the revenge story comes to a halt at a few points to build the Kikuchyo like eighth samurai character who becomes the love interest. This is the only part of the film that creates empathy for any of the characters, but since the acting can be described as hammy, and the dubbed translation drops most of the emotion from the acting, this part can get tedious.

Other notable flaws are poorly puppeted rubber creatures, some poorly voiced dubbing, and an intrusive 80's love song that plays during the "love story" part of the movie. Also, at one point it calls attention to an object that, because of the reduced size (TV format)isn't on screen. I normally don't mind standard screen size if it is edited properly, but this film deserves widescreen.

The movie as it has been released is a 3 star, If it were redubbed, the love song removed, and released in widescreen, it may deserve a 31/2 or 4 stars.

Legend of the 8 reasons not to buy this movie.
If you are a real hard core Sonny Chiba Collector, then this is not worth your time, because he doesn't do really anything in this flick! Why is it not in widescreen? Why is there no original language track? This is DVD right? If you still want this movie to fill the gap in your Chiba collection try to find it in its original format & quality. ... Read more

Description

In the wake of a big police crackdown, Akira Kobayashi's icily sun- glassed Takeda attempts to transform the Hiroshima yakuza families into a legitimate political organization: The Tensei Coalition. When the young Matsumura ascends to the chairmanship of the coalition, the older, hardened yakuza led by Jo Shishido (BRANDED TO KILL) seize one last opportunity to stir up chaos and bloodshed. Culminating with the arrests, deaths, or retirement of the first postwar yakuza generation, this milestone series draws to an ambivalent close. ... Read more