Arrow Video Blu-ray Review: Graveyards of Honor

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

The good folks at Arrow Video have been releasing some amazing foreign films on deluxe Blu-ray. The lastest of these offering is an action adventure crime thriller, Graveyards of Honor.

This deluxe 2 disc Blu-ray set not only houses the original film and the remake as well. Than all the bonus features that Arrow Video is known for loading there releases with as well. Let's take a look at this stacked Blu-ray release.

Movie Rating:
****=Don’t Miss it!
***=Worth a look.
**=An Ok way to spend some time.
*=You haven’t missed anything.

Graveyard of Honor (1975) A self-destructive man becomes a powerful member of the Japanese mafia but quickly loses his self control. Based on the true story of Rikio Ishikawa. ***

Graveyard of Honor (2002) A barkeeper saves a Yakuza boss' life and thus makes his way up in the organization. However his fear of nothing soon causes problems. ***

Both of these films are action-packed thrilling pieces of cinema. It is good to note that these films are presented in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. There is no English dubbing.

The Blu-ray transfers of both of these films. They look and sound stunningly beautiful. There is little to no signs of damage to the prints. Arrow Video has really put together a great double feature here.

Let's take a look at the bonus feature collection in this Blu-ray set.

DISC ONE GRAVEYARD OF HONOR (1975)

Exclusive two-disc set featuring two different versions of Graveyard of Honor: the 1975 film by Kinji Fukasaku and the 2002 film by Takashi Miike

Limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan

Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on both films by Jasper Sharp

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

Original lossless Japanese PCM 1.0 mono soundtrack

Optional English subtitles

New audio commentary by author and critic Mark Schilling

Like a Balloon: The Life of a Yakuza, a new visual essay by critic and Projection Booth podcast host Mike White

A Portrait of Rage, an archival appreciation of Fukasaku and his films, featuring interviews with filmmakers, scholars, and friends of the director

On the Set with Fukasaku, an archival interview with assistant director Kenichi Oguri

Theatrical trailer

Imagery gallery

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan

DISC TWO GRAVEYARD OF HONOR (2002)

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

Original lossless Japanese PCM 2.0 stereo soundtrack

Optional English subtitles

New audio commentary by Miike biographer Tom Mes

New visual essay by author and critic Kat Ellinger

Archival interview special featuring Miike and cast members Goro Kishitani and Narimi Arimori

Archival making-of featurette

Archival making-of teaser

Archival press release interviews featuring Miike, Kishitani and Arimori

Archival premiere special featuring Miike, Kishitani and Arimori

Theatrical trailer

Imagery gallery

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan

So as you can see Arrow Video has done it again! Bringing physical media collectors another release they are bound to want to add to their collections.

If you are a fan of foreign action films from yesterday and today, well, Graveyard of Honor is the best of both world. You can head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.