Eureka Entertainment have announced that they will be releasing a stunning new HD restoration of GATE OF HELL [JIGOKUMON] in a Dual Format (Blu-ray + DVD) & DVD edition, available for home viewing for the first time in the UK from 3 December 2012. From the director of A Page of Madness [Kurutta ippeji, 1926], this long-awaited reissue of a Japanese classic was the winner of the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes and two Oscars (for Best Foreign Language Film and Costume Design), and named by Martin Scorsese as one of the ten most beautiful colour films ever made.
One of the key works of the early 1950s wave of Japanese films to first reach foreign markets, director Kinugasa’s sumptuous period drama astonished audiences with its dramatic force and spectacular colour cinematography.
During feudal unrest in the 12th century, samurai warrior Morit? (Kazuo Hasegawa) manages to thwart a palace rebellion and save the life of the empress, using loyal subject Lady Kesa (Machiko Ky?) as a decoy. When Morit? is offered anything he should desire as reward, he requests Kesa’s hand in marriage. Informed that she is already married to a fellow samurai (Isao Yamagata), he refuses to withdraw his request, setting in motion a tragic chain of events.
Be the first to comment