Review: Arrow's 'Graveyards Of Honor' on Blu-ray Presents Both Classic and Updated Versions

Japanese cinema has never shied away from telling the truth in its depiction of the Mafia. A prime example of this comes in the form of Arrow Video's new Blu-ray release "Graveyard of Honor," an unflinching look at the rise and fall of a Japanese mobster. The parallels between this film and the American movie "Scarface" are uncanny.

Arrow Video's edition includes both the 1975 classic "Graveyard of Honor" and the 2002 remake. Of the two, the original is the recommended version. Presented in a more biopic fashion with voiceovers, the violent tale of Rikio Ishikawa mostly takes place from 1946-1950. It shows how explosive he was, especially towards his wife, and examines how Ishikawa got hooked on heroin.

At times, it becomes hard to keep track of all of the characters, and for 1975, many of the scenes are quite grisly - especially the rape sequences.

The uber-violent remake is completely over the top, and manic in a cartoonish way. This depiction of Ishikawa pales in comparison, although its sleazy Grindhouse approach will probably appeal to some.

Both discs come with a slew of extras, always the case with Arrow Video Blu-rays. Multiple audio commentaries, trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage are just the tip of the iceberg. A great companion piece is a video essay examining violence in cinema, especially toward women.

"Graveyard of Honor"
Blu-ray
$39.95
www.arrowvideo.co.uk