BATTLE ROYALE (Director’s cut, 2000)

Streaming on Tubi!
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Written by Koushun Takami (novel), Kenta Fukasaku (screenplay)
Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Tarô Yamamoto, Beat Takeshi Kitano, Chiaki Kuriyama

THE HUNGER GAMES wouldn’t be what it is today without BATTLA ROYALE, this story of a class of students given weapons and told to take each other out in a tournament-style match. Rich with social commentary about overpopulation, violence in media, government’s role in the classroom, and the simple classroom struggle through the teenage years, BATTLE ROYALE is a film worth viewing and talking about for long after.

Though it had been a while since I last saw the film, I believe the main difference between the original and this director’s cut is the inclusion of much more backstory of the children and how they interacted with one another before they are recruited for this twisted game. In many ways, these scenes seem to serve as a means to show these kids at a more innocent time when they all got along. Watching the film, we know that this isn’t really the case as classroom bullying and gossiping that occurred before the match play out with deadly results once the kids have weapons in their hands, so while these new scenes do drive home the loss of innocence theme, it somewhat conflicts with the message that the school day lifestyle is warfare in itself.

This film was made in 2000 and though reality TV did exist at that time, it was nowhere near the height of popularity it is today. Though SERIES 7: THE CONTENDERS (which came out a year later) seemed like a direct response to BATTLE ROYALE when it followed random folks given weapons and told to kill one another as seen through the lens of a TV camera, those marveling at the crazy original concepts in THE HUNGER GAMES might want to check out this film made 12 years prior. It remains rife with bold statements about the state of the world.

That said, BATTLE ROYALE is also a damn fine action film. The film occasionally falls into repetitive arcs as these kids whittle their number down, but most of the kills remain both in tune with character established for this giant cast and highly creative during the action scenes themselves. Gory and shocking at times seeing these kids tear each other apart, this modern-day LORD OF THE FLIES is something that won’t be forgotten once seen. Highest recommendation possible.

Check out the trailer here!!