Paula Hammond - Features EditorBased upon the celebrated manga by Ikki Kajiwara, Bodyguard Kiba follows the blood-soaked adventures of eponymous karate master and professional bodyguard (Sonny Chiba).
Out this week, on special edition blu-ray from Eureka, these riotously entertaining tales of slaughter and betrayal are everything that Japanese martial arts films should be.
Fast, furious and, occasionally, shamelessly silly, the set piece fights and frenetic pace make for one hellova double-bill.
Bodyguard Kiba 1 sees Chiba hired to protect the mysterious Reiko (Mari Atsumi), a woman embroiled in the world of organised crime. Kiba’s involvement with Reiko eventually brings him into conflict with the yakuza, leading to a much-anticipated, and very, very final savage showdown.
Bodyguard Kiba 2: Deadly Triangle Jump, picks up the story with Kiba, freshly out jail, and looking for revenge on the rival martial artists who blinded his sister, Maki (Etsuko Shihomi). Soon, he’s back on the radar of the yakuza, and back in trouble.
Presented on blu-ray for the first time ever in the UK, from new restorations, these special edition releases look as lush as you’d expect, and add two more epic fight-flicks to Eureka’s growing catalogue of must-have classics.
Other special features include:
- 1080p presentations of both films across two Blu-ray discs, from new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.
- The first print run of 2000 copies will feature a Limited Edition O-card Slipcase and Collector’s Booklet.
- Original Japanese mono audio.
- Optional English subtitles.
- Brand new feature length audio commentaries on both films by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema.
- THE BODYGUARD – alternate US version of Bodyguard Kiba.
- TALKING CHIBA – Brand new interview with action choreographer and director Kenji Tanigaki.
- KIBA OR CHIBA – Brand new interview with Tom Mes & Jasper Sharp.
- Original theatrical trailers.
