Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment
Special Thanks to Jasper Sharp and Clint Weiler
Behind a Mask of Stone, the Fires of Vengeance Burn!
Following their incredible GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION release last fall, Arrow has announced another deluxe Blu-ray set... THE DAIMAJIN TRILOGY! The box set will be released in the United States and United Kingdom in late July.
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
The Daimajin Trilogy saw Daiei’s Kyoto studios bringing its own iconic movie monster to life in a unique but short-lived series that transplants the Golem legend to Japan’s Warring States period of the late-16th century.
In DAIMAJIN (大魔神), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda (YOKAI MONSTERS, ZATOICHI ON THE ROAD), the young son and daughter of the benevolent feudal lord Hanabusa flee to the mountains when their parents are slain by the treacherous usurper Odate. Ten years later, when the elderly priestess who has harboured them is also murdered, the rage of the slumbering ancient god that lies beneath the crumbling giant stone idol hidden deep in the forests in the mountains is invoked.
In RETURN OF DAIMAJIN (大魔神怒る, Daimajin Ikaru), Kenji Misumi (TALE OF ZATOICHI, LONE WOLF AND CUB) brings his usual stylistic flourish, as the wrathful deity is roused from his new home on an island in the middle of a lake by the violent incursions of a vicious warlord.
In the final film, WRATH OF DAIMAJIN (大魔神逆襲, Daimajin Gyakushu), by veteran jidaigeki director Kazuo Mori, four young boys make a perilous trip to elicit the help of the ancient mountain god in freeing their family members who have been enslaved by a tyrannical lord.
Remarkably overlooked in the West, these three thrilling tales of feudal oppression and divine retribution meted out by the iconic stone warrior of the title combine lavish period detail with jaw-dropping special effects.
THE DAIMAJIN TRILOGY
Running Time: 250 Minutes (84 / 79 / 87)
Number of Discs: 3
Language: Japanese, English
Subtitles: English
Audio: Mono 1.0
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
US
Region Code: 0
SKU: AV361
UPC: 760137591580
Sreet Date: 7/27/21
List Price: $99.95
UK
Region Code: B
UK Rating: 15
Street Date: 7/26/21
RRP: £59.99
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the three Daimajin films
- Optional English subtitles
- Illustrated collector’s 100 page book featuring new essays by Jonathan Clements, Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, Raffael Coronelli, Erik Homenick, Robin Gatto and Kevin Derendorf
- Postcards featuring the original Japanese artwork for all three films
- Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Frank
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
DISC ONE – DAIMAJIN
- Brand new audio commentary by Japanese film expert Stuart Galbraith IV
- Newly filmed introduction by critic Kim Newman
- Bringing the Avenging God to Life, a brand new exclusive video essay about the special effects of the Daimajin films by Japanese film historian Ed Godziszewski
- Alternate opening credits for the US release as MAJIN THE MONSTER OF TERROR
- Trailers for the original Japanese and US releases
- Image gallery
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
DISC TWO – RETURN OF DAIMAJIN
- Brand new audio commentary by Japanese film experts Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp
- My Summer Holidays with Daimajin, a newly filmed interview with Professor Yoneo Ota, director of the Toy Film Museum, Kyoto Film Art Culture Research Institute, about the production of the Daimajin films at Daiei Kyoto
- From Storyboard to Screen: Bringing RETURN OF DAIMAJIN to Life, a comparison of several key scenes in RETURN OF DAIMAJIN with the original storyboards
- Alternate opening credits for the US release as RETURN OF THE GIANT MAJIN
- Trailers for the original Japanese and US releases
- Image gallery
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
DISC THREE – WRATH OF DAIMAJIN
- Brand new audio commentary by Asian historian Jonathan Clements
- Interview with cinematographer Fujio Morita discussing his career at Daiei and his work on the Daimajin Trilogy
- Trailers for the original Japanese release
- Image Gallery
About Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a leading independent entertainment distribution company, established in 1991. Operating in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, United States of America and Canada, Arrow Films is dedicated to supporting upcoming and established filmmakers of dynamic new cinema and developing an enviable slate of quality films that enjoy a lasting legacy across its award-winning branded labels, channels, and platforms.
About MVD Entertainment Group
MVD Entertainment Group is a full service music and movie distribution firm, exclusively representing thousands of audio and visual products for DVD, Bluray, CD, vinyl, and digital rights, worldwide. MVD also exclusively distributes a growing line of merchandise including limited edition collectibles, tee shirts, and more. “Serving Artists and Audiences†is MVD's purpose statement; it represents a commitment to the interests of the musicians, filmmakers, record labels, producers, managers, and every link in the supply chain. The customers are the Audience, from wholesalers, sub-distributors, major retail chains, online retailers, specialists, and independent mom and pop stores, all the way to the consumer. MVD Entertainment Group was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran with prior experience with The Record Hunter, Sam Goody, CBS Retail, and JEM Distribution. Tom, along with his family Elinor, Eve and Ed, initially focused on music videotapes. At the turn of the century, with the advent of DVD, MVD built a large catalog of exclusively distributed audiovisual content on DVDs, with special strength in music concert films, horror movies, documentaries, comedy, cult classics, and much more.