A perky high-schooler takes on the mob in Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, a one-of-a-kind genre-bender that riffs on the yakuza film, coming-of-age drama and ‘idol movie’, inventively adapted from Jiro Akagawa’s popular novel by director Shinji Somai (Typhoon Club, Wait and See), a massively influential figure in Japanese cinema whose work has been little seen outside his homeland. Hoshi Izumi is a young innocent forced to grow up quickly when her father dies and she finds herself next in line as the boss of a moribund yakuza clan. Wrenched from the security of her classroom and thrust into the heart of the criminal underworld, she must come to terms with the fact that her actions hold the key to the life or death of the men under her command as they come under fire from rival gangs. Presented in both its Original Theatrical and longer Complete versions, and the first time one of Somai’s films has been released on home video in the West, this landmark work from his early career was responsible for launching teen talent Hiroko Yakushimaru (Legend of the Eight Samurai; Detective Story) as the iconic face of a generation, with the catchy theme song she performs indelibly etched into the zeitgeist of early-1980s Japan.
For thoughts on Sailor Suit & Machine Gun, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
Sailor Suit & Machine Gun comes to Blu-Ray from Arrow Video with a stellar 1080p transfer sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative restored by Kadokawa Pictures. This release comes with the Original Theatrical Version and the 1982 Complete Version (kanpeki-ban) re-issue of the film, both of equal quality. There is a note in the description about optical censorship of a sex scene which aligns with Japanese censorship practices of the period.
This presentation is an incredibly strong effort that preserves the filmic look with proper film grain and texture throughout, even though those sensitive to grain may find this particularly gritty. The level of clarity and detail on this release never fails to impress with subtle details in the production design that are visible here for the first time from tiny details in the outfits to the décor of the headquarters. The black levels are deep and allow for true detail to come through. The color palette can run a bit earthy sometimes, but there are some really nice moments of vibrant colors. Skin tones are natural and lend themselves to showcasing an amazing amount of detail. Arrow Video has done an excellent job of restoring this, as nearly all print damage has been cleaned up without messing with the natural look of the film. Those who have been waiting for this one to finally be presented in high definition should be quite pleased.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD mono mix for both cuts of the film along with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for the Theatrical Version, all of which sonically represents the film respectfully. The dialogue come through clearly and never falls victim to any digital anomalies such as clipping. Even in the surround track, the activity focuses heavily on the front channels with the intriguing soundtrack filling the room appropriately. Music is used purposefully throughout the presentation, but it never overpowers the dialogue or other important information. Rear speakers get some occasional activity with ambient sounds, but it is not a standout in that regard. There is a subtle amount of low-end support when the scene calls for it, as well. The track does not seem to have an issue with damage or age-related wear. These tracks accomplish everything they need to do really well.
Special Features
The first-pressing of the Arrow Video Blu-Ray of Sailor Suit & Machine Gun includes a booklet featuring the essays “Sailor Suit & Machine Gun; or, Sōmai and Hiroko” by professor Aaron Gerow and “Sailor Suit and Kadokawa” by professor Alexander Zahlten. The release also includes the interview “Hiroko Yakushimaru and Kiyoshi Kurosawa In Conversation.” These works provides a great analysis of the period in which this film was released, the story and insight into the themes of the film, and much more. The on-disc special features are as follows:
- Original Theatrical Version (1:51:45) and Extended Director’s Cut (2:10:27)
- Girls, Guns and Gangsters – Shinji Somai and Sailor Suit & Machine Gun: A pretty excellent 51-minute featurette in which actor Akira Emoto, film scholar Chika Kinoshita, Somai biographer Tatsuya Kimura and assistant director Koji Enomoto discuss the origins of the film, it’s legacy, the work of Somai, their personal analysis of the film, the source material, the history of the production, and much more that adds to your appreciation of the film. There are so many great personal anecdotes shared throughout.
- Trailers & TV Spots: This disc provides the Original Theatrical Trailer (2:39), Complete Version (Kanpeki-ban) Trailer (3:14), Theatrical Teaser (0:35) and a TV Spot (2:30).
- Image Gallery: A collection of stills and behind-the-scenes moments are provided here.
- Original Press Kit: A look at the original marketing materials.
Final Thoughts
Sailor Suit & Machine Gun is a wonderfully odd entry into the Yakuza film pantheon thanks to its unique protagonist and the way it also functions as a coming-of-age tale. The film has moments of wry humor, but it treat the material with a real sense of gravity as these factions come to blows. The tonal balance is handled very nimbly by director Shinji Somai in a way where it easily could have gone off the rails. Arrow Video has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation, two versions of the film and a lengthy supplemental feature. Whether you are already an established fan or a newcomer looking for something unique, this release is worth checking out. Recommended
Sailor Suit & Machine Gun is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Arrow Video has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
