A Certain Killer / A Killer's Key (Blu-ray Review)

Japanese director Kazuo Mori directed over 100 films in his career. Now that is impressive. Most notably Mori made samurai films, but in 1967 he made two films about the Japanese yakuza.

Arrow Video have been restoring and releasing many of Japanese films on Blu-ray and these two films have been given the deluxe treatment.

Our Rating System:
**** = Don’t Miss it!
*** = Worth a look.
** = An OK way to spend an evening.
* = You haven’t missed anything.

A Certain Killer (1967) A former soldier, reduced to working at a restaurant post-war, becomes a contract killer for the yakuza gangs he's in contact with. ***

A Killer's Key (1967) A refined master teacher of traditional dance, is haunted by a tragic past. A highly skilled professional contract killer, he possesses skills that have earned him a fearsome underworld reputation. ***

Kazuo Mori brings his samurai film vision to these two yakuza 'hitman' films. These films could be ultra yakuza, but they have a real spy feel to them. This is probably because James Bond had taken the world by storm with the Sean Connery films.

Raizô Ichikawa is simply mesmerizing as the cold as ice hitman. Ichikawa was extremely popular at this time. But sadly, passed away in 1968 from hepatic metastases of colon cancer at the age of 37. So, this double feature Blu-ray stands as a tribute to the amazing actor.   

These two hitman films have been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and presented in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The audio tracks are the original uncompressed Japanese LCPM mono track. If you don't understand Japanese, no worries there is the option for newly translated English subtitles.

Both films are housed on one disc. Now there is no need to fear as these films look sharp the colors are bright, and the audio is clear. There are no digital artifacts or audio anomalies Arrow Video really put the best foot forward with these transfers. But that is not all that is included in this release. Look at the bonus features included. 

* Brand new audio commentary for both films by critic and Asian cinema expert Tony Rayns
* The Definite Murderer, a brand new 30-minute introduction to the films by Japanese film scholar Mark Roberts
* Original theatrical trailers for both films
* Image gallery
* Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Tony Stella
* Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Jasper Sharp and Earl Jackson

Tony Rayns brings a lot of knowledge to the commentaries of these two films. It is a pleasure to listen to these. Then there is the addition of the 30-minute introduction, theatrical trailers, but for me as always, the artwork is so cool. In this release you get reversible art.

If you love yakuza films from the 60s, well this Arrow Video Blu-ray is going to hit the bullseye. Head over to MVD Shop or Amazon and order your copy of this release today. It will make a wonderful edition to your home video library.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray of A Certain / A Killer's Key receives....