Written by: Michael Den Boer on September 23rd, 2004
| Theatrical Release Date: Japan, June 6th, 1981 Director: Kinji Fukasaku Writer: Kinji Fukasaku, Tatsuo Nogami Cast: Sonny Chiba, Kenji Sawada, Akiko Kana, Ken Ogata, Hiroyuki Sanada |
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| DVD released: | 2002 | 2004 |
| Approximate running time: | 88 minutes | 118 minutes |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4.3 Pan and Scan | 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen |
| Rating: | R | NR |
| Sound: | Dolby Digital Stereo English | Dolby Digital Stereo English and Japanese |
| DVD Release: | Brentwood | Tokyo Shock |
| Region Coding: | Region 1 NTSC | Region 1 NTSC |
| Retail Price: | $19.99 | $19.95 |
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Brentwood’s Region 1 DVD
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Tokyo Shock ‘s Region 1 DVD
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The Film :
Amakusa Shiro unable to find peace in the afterlife comes back to life and with the use of black magic he assembles an unstoppable army of the undead Samurai’s to help him take vengeance. Soon Yagyu Jubei learns about Amakusa Shiro’s sinister plan of vengeance against the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan. Amakusa Shiro takes possession of Jubei’s father leading to a final showdown against his undead father.
Video:
Tokyo Shock’s release of Samurai Reincarnation preserves the films original aspect ratio while Brentwood’s release is cropped on all four sides. Besides the lack of information because of cropping on the Brentwood release there is also color bleeding and the overall image lacks detail as the picture is soft through out. Tokyo’s Shock’s release offers a vivid color palette and flesh tones that look natural through out. The amount of detail and sharpness in Tokyo Shock’s transfer in remarkable.
Audio:
Tokyo Shock’s release offers two audio options the original Japanese language track and an English dubbed track while the Brentwood release only comes with an English dubbed track. Brentwood’s audio track suffers from hiss and distortion. Both audio tracks included on the Tokyo Shock release have very good depth as the action and dialog through out the film comes through with amazing clarity. Tokyo Shock’s release also comes with subtitles for the Japanese audio track included on their release. The subtitles are easy to read and follow.
Extras:
Brentwood like all budget companies DVD’s come with no extras, still Samurai Reincarnation does come with nine other Sonny Chiba Titles in Brentwood’s 10 Faces of Sonny Chiba set. Tokyo Shock’s release comes with an interview with Sonny Chiba that is in Japanese and it comes with English subtitles. The original trailer, image gallery and liner notes are also included on Tokyo Shock’s release.
Overall:
Overall it isn’t even close as Tokyo Shock’s release beat’s Brentwood’s in every category. The Brentwood release oddly enough does feature a four minute scene that is missing from the Tokyo Shock release.