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- BATTLE ROYALE -

The premise for Battle Royale is a very interesting one, and quite futuristic. Set at the beginning of the 21st century, the youth of Japan are out of control. They are running riot, rejecting discipline and have no respect for authority. The young unemployed are turning to crime and holding the country to virtual ransom. The economy of Japan is at an all time low, and drastic measures are called for. Out of desperation the government brings in a new act entitled ‘Battle Royale’.

The purpose of the act is to reduce the number of the delinquent population and set others an example, and to show the youth of Japan that the government is not prepared to take any more. Battle Royale is a deadly game, more extreme than any other, where the contestants are to pick another off one another commando style till there is only one survivor left.

The government holds a lottery and out of 43,000 Ninth grade classes, Zentsuji Middle School number 4’s Class E was chosen. They are given numbers, as contestants, and a survival kit. This is taking game show level to an extreme, and this game is ‘deadly’ serious. Fitted with exploding collars, the 42 students are transported to an Island where the game begins. -

Released In 2000 the notorious apocalyptic Japanese film ‘Battle Royale’ is directed by Kinji Fukasaku and stars Takeshi Kitano (’Beat’) and Yukihiro Kutani. Originally banned from entering the country, it went on to become the highest grossing Mainstream Japanese film ever, to enter the UK. Genre Horror/Thriller, Battle Royale is a social satire ‘Lord of the Flies’ type production, which takes a swipe at the game show ‘Extreme’ that Japan is at the forefront of. Savage and stunning Battle Royale is a brilliant film which is shocking, amusing, and thought provoking, all at the same time. -

Director Kinji Fukasaku has done an incredible job here. Battle Royale is probably the most shocking film that I have seen. I think it was the concept of it that shocked me more than the blood and gore of it all. I have watched it twice now, and its first impact didn’t really lesson on second viewing. This is such a good film, and a brilliant storyline. It is extremely thought provoking also, and as I watched it I felt that it was possible that something like this could happen in the not too distant future in a fascist state. The film starts to shock immediately and I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing, it seemed so real, so plausible and the shock tactics had their desired effect upon me, and the rest of the film carries on in this vein.

I found the scene in the coach on the way to the island very alarming. I don’t think Battle Royale lets up for a minute, as it sears through the nigh on 2 hours running time. The film for most part is set entirely on the island and this adds to the trapped and claustrophobic quality that the film extols, and like there is no escape for the ‘contestants’, there is no escape for the viewer also and it puts the audience in a very uncomfortable place.

This film is purely visual and it plays to the senses of right and wrong. Because what are watching is so morally wrong, yet somehow believable it puts us in a very thoughtful state of mind. I like a film that does that, and this film certainly left its mark on my mind, as I can remember the whole film quite vividly even now. I never remember films usually unless they are those rare films that have impact, and stay with me. It is how the students play the game that makes for enthralling viewing The severity of the situation is made light at times when it slips into game show mode, and the jump between the two emotions leaves you feeling unsettled even more.

Battle Royale has a very talented cast of young Japanese actors include actor/director Takeshi “Beat” Kitano and Chiaki Kuriyama, from ‘Kill Bill’. The fact that the films victims are young people, childlike, is where the impact lies. They are children fighting for their lives, and against their friends. The innocence of youth, the bond of friendship, and the trust of our fellow man are the things which Battle Royale is questioning. There is to be only one survivor, how do you decide which friend to kill first?

The shocking brutality of this film is heightened because of the age of the contestants in this sordid game show, and right from the very opening sequence we are stunned at the horror of the situation and what we are witnessing.Battle Royale takes crime and punishment to the next level and shows it to us in the extreme game show form. As it counts down the victims: “Number 15 has just popped his clogs”. This has great impact as there are no feelings of guilt or remorse shown. There is hardly any music within the film so you don’t have any indication when something is about to happen, as the music would normally lead you into a situation. There s none of that here, so the events are even more startling and the more powerful for it.

There are surges of classical music to accompany a death scene which has huge impact, and as in Stanley Kubricks ‘Clockwork Orange’, it shocks because of its contrast of beauty and violence. Although a violent bloody, war bath of a film, Battle Royale is shot with a great beauty, and the act of dying is portrayed as graceful, serene, and poetical.

Some have likened it to Anime cartoon styling, and I can see that to an extent. I just think the Japanese race have that quality though, with gentle faces, and hooded doe eyes, and graceful movements of body even when fighting.

In Battle Royale you will see the best and worst of human nature. Being a film with a strong moral tale, it is told with humour and pathos, betrayal and avarice. Jealousy, love, and loyalty are all displayed here, and at the end of the day which quality will shine through? Does the good outweigh the bad? Or vice versa? Battle Royale is an excellent film and on my list of best films ever. -

Running Time: 114 minutes.

BBFC Rating: 18
(strong bloody violence)
Main Language: Japanese
Subtitle Language: English
Directed By: Kinji Fukasaku

- Starring -
Takeshi Kitano- Kitano
Tatsuya Fujiwara- Shuya
Aki Maeda -Noriko
Taro Yamamoto -Kawada
Chiaki Kuriyama- Chigusa
Yukihiro Kutani -Nobu

Christianna Garrett-Martin.

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