This thrilling two-disc set features a double dose of hyperbolic heist movie mayhem directed by the great Kinji Fukasaku (Battles Without Honor and Humanity, Battle Royale), restored to HD, and, for the first time ever, available on Blu-Ray in North America.

Fukasaku’s 1964 breakthrough Wolves, Pigs and Men finds three brothers pitted against each other as rivals in the Yakuza underworld. Jiro, alongside his girlfriend Mizuhara, devises a scheme to rob his younger brother Sabu’s gang. However, when the eldest brother Kuroki learns of this, he seeks to conspire against them to take it all for himself in a treacherous nightmare of unbridled violence.

While lesser known, 1976’s Violent Panic: The Big Crash wreaks havoc across the streets of Japan with stylishly nihilistic aplomb. After expert bank-robber Takashi’s big job is foiled, he goes on the lam. Trailed by the police, his lover, his partner-in-crime’s brother, and countless others, Takashi becomes the target of a manhunt filled with twists, double-crosses, and explosive action that gives the 70’s car chase genre a run for its money.

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Video Quality

Wolves, Pigs and Men and Violent Panic: The Big Crash come to Blu-Ray courtesy of Film Movement Classics sourced from new 2K restorations of the Original 35mm Camera Negatives in the original 2.39:1. While it would be easy to break each of these down individually, the quality is uniformly first-rate across the board and there would be a lot of repeating thoughts. The gorgeous black-and-white photography of Wolves, Pigs and Men shines in high definition with natural grain intact. The grain field can lean a bit thick on this one, but the transfer is resolved well. The color photography of Violent Panic: The Big Crash likewise thrives with a fine sheen of grain that resolves effortlessly.

The contrast holds firm between the two titles with Wolves, Pigs and Men having the best interplay between light and dark. Highlights are handled favorably with neither title experiencing blooming. Black levels are fairly deep with no distracting trace of black crush or compression artifacts. There is a terrific amount of detail present with nice texture on the outfits and gritty production design. The twisted metal in the finale of Violent Panic is especially a treat with the fresh master. Even after the restoration process, there are still a few lingering nicks and scratches, but there is nothing that detracts from the viewing experience. The quality of these transfers is as strong as the source material will allow, and it represents a win for fans of the acclaimed filmmaker.

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray comes with LPCM 2.0 mono tracks in the original Japan (with optional English subtitles). Dialogue primarily sounds clear without sound effects or the score overshadowing important information. Some exchanges show fleeting instances of distortion, but this is not a persistent issue. Both films employ some aggressive sound effects when violence comes to pass that are given the appropriate weight within the mix. While both have stretches of action and thrills, the average scene provides more of a dialogue-driven approach that allows for the plot to unfold. The implementation of the score comes through favorably in relation to the competing sounds. These tracks present everything accurately with fine fidelity and without major damage or other unwanted issues.

Special Features

Wolves, Pigs and Men

Audio Commentary: Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp provides a nifty commentary track in which he discusses the career of Kinji Fukasaku, how it compares to his other work, the background of the performers, the reception of the film, and more.

Socially Aware Violence – Interview with Co-screenwriter Junya Sato: A 20-minute interview with the writer in which he discusses his relationship with Kinji Fukasaku, the place of morality in the film, allusions to film noir, the use of violence, and more.

Slums, Stars & Studios – Interview with Producer Toru Yoshida: A 21-minute interview with the producer in which he discusses his background, his collaborations with Kinji Fukasaku, his favorite film from the director, the unique shooting locations, and more.

Interview with Fukasaku Biographer Sadao Yamane: A nearly 13-minute piece from 2017 that has been newly edited to discuss Wolves, Pigs and Men, the career of Kinji Fukasaku, the nuances of the film, and more.

Original Theatrical Trailer: The three-minute trailer is provided.

Violent Panic: The Big Crash

Audio Commentary: Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp returns for another great commentary track in which he discusses how this fits into the career of Kinji Fukasaku, the background of the performers, celebrity siblings, the reception of the film, and more.

Fast, Furious & Fukasaku: A ten-minute video essay about Kinji Fukasaku and his work on Violent Panic: The Big Crash.

Trailer: This disc provides the minute-long trailer for Violent Panic: The Big Crash.

Booklet: A 16-page booklet is included featuring a new essay by film critic Kenji Fujishima that provides a nice observance of Kinji Fukasaku.

Final Thoughts

Kinji Fukasaku is one of the best-known Japanese filmmakers to Western cinephiles once you get past the household names. There is a reason his work travels so well globally, as the auteur knows how to distill a narrative to its most engaging essence and dial up the execution to 11. These earlier efforts from the filmmaker each deliver the thrills and technical prowess that audiences crave. From broken loyalties to twisted metal, there is grotesque beauty on display that you will not want to miss. Film Movement Classics has released Ferocious Fukasaku on Blu-Ray which features a wonderful A/V presentation and exceptional supplemental features. Fans of the filmmaker will rejoice with this set. Recommended

Ferocious Fukasaku: Two Films By Kinji Fukasaku is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Film Movement Classics and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.