Battle Royale is a japanese film in which thew story goes a little something like this: You are a 9th grade student. Unaware to you, the government has passed a law known as the "B.R. Act" which allows them to randomly select one ninth grade class out of all in Japan and force them to compete in the Battle Royale Survival Program. You just happen to be soo lucky as to be chosen for this years Battle Royale. You are Nanahara Shuya. On a class "trip", you all misteriously pass out and are transported to a deserted island. There you are told about the Battle Royale. The objective is simple: kill all of your other classmates, nothing is against the rules. Each student is given a survival bag which include food, water, a compass, a map of the island, and a weapon. And let's not begin to believe they are only giving them guns and blades. Oh no!!! Any thing can be counted as a wepon basicly. Weapons range from UZI's to pot pans. And to top it all off, they are each given fasionable collars which include all of the following nift accessories: pulse moniter, GPS locator, and explosive! So what this does is moniter your pulse and transmit that along with your location on the island to a computerized map that shows where everyone is on the island. If you stay in one place on island too long... BAM! Bye bye throat! OOOOO I almost forgot... there is a time limit... 3 days. If there is no winner, then all of the 'participants' die. This is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. Unfortunately for all fans of foreign films in the US, it probably wont be releasing officialy in the US for a while because the Japanese company who owns rights to Battle Royale wont sell it to the US because they feer is anything similar to Columbine happens while this is in theatres or released, they would end up being sued for it. But leave it to the US, someone would try to do that. Despite this, there are ways you can go about obtaining it. If you own a Region Free DVD player than http://us.yesasia.com or http://global.yesasia.com (the later being for residents of all countries except for the US and Canada) offers a version that is Region 3 and has subtitles. Suposidly there is a Region 0 version out there, but I have yet to find it. But yes, this film is portrayed so well and the actors all did a supurb job in this. What is your first impression of this film? Think you might give it a try? I recomend you do!
I've seen some of it before. my cousin has been a huge asian films fan for years now. I remember i was pretty shocked, and the idea alone is insane.
I've read the 1st volume of the manga and loved it. A bit unrealistic but very disturbing and graphic.
I've heard of this movie and wanted to go and see it at the Incredibly Strange Film Festival in 2003 but didn't get a chance. I've heard its really good and a total mind fuck. Isn't the japanese girl from Kill Bill who plays lucy liu's body guard in it?
I think so, yes, I believe GoGo is in Battle Royale, and yes, all of the above comments are very true. It is so original and yeah Taylor... this movie the first time through is a mind fuck no doubt. Not in a mysterious sense (unlike the japanese film Cure!!!!! Holy crap thats a true mystery mind fuck!!!!), but just more over a satire sort of mind fuck that makes you think. Just to let all of the fans of the movie out there know... there is also a manga series and a novel under the same name. I myself have not looked into the manga... but own the movie and the novel and I must say, the novel is unbelievable. Just to let y'all know, check into it right now! Like get away from this computer and go buy it. Haha! Just jokin about the last part but yes, the book is amazing and I havent even hit page 100 yet.
I just finished watching it and omg. I've never seen a movie quite like this. It was a real psychological film. But at times, I didn't think the kids were acting like 15 year olds. They seemed too adult like. I thought that in a situation like this, instead of acting like adults, they would go back into childlike state, and they didn't. Holly
Where are all of you people, that you've gotten a hold of a copy of this and seen it? Are any of you in the U.S.? I haven't looked for this movie because I had never heard of it before, but it does sound interesting, like something I'd like to watch. It sounds a LOT like "Series 7: The Contenders," which is set in the U.S. in contemporary times, and the ultimate reality show is run by the government. It holds a lottery, and selects random people, from all walks of life (old, young, sick, healthy, married, single, male, female) and forces them to take part in a fight to the death using any means necessary, from bare hands to rope to knives to guns. Each of the six competitors has no choice but to take part, and there is NO PRIZE FOR KILLING ALL OF YOUR OPPONENTS. You simply get to LIVE and return to your life. They situate the competitors in a selected town, and they're not allowed to leave. Each one has a cameraman assigned, like on COPS. Each competitor can go about trying to hunt the others in any way he/she wants. One woman lures the others to a shopping mall by sending them letters that say they can be helped by a "resistance" that will help them escape to Canada! It's a ruse, but it's allowable, since everything's allowable. GREAT movie, full of graphic stuff and also a lot of satirical humor and thought-provoking poignancy. -Jeffrey
I'm in the US and downloaded a copy from a friend who'd downloaded it from the net...It's difficult to get ahold of a copy inside the states or something. Holly
That's one thing the internet is very useful for. I'm from the U.S. I haven't seen the film but I do know where to obtain a copy. Just click the banner in my signature. You can find a copy of the film in the movies section. You need to register first.
I just saw it a couple of days ago. it's fucking AWESOME. such a funny movie too. I loved it. big big fan.
Well, I'm in the US and I purchased a copy of it through YesAsia because I own a region free DVD Player. And in refrence to the Series 7 movie... I would say that it is a US sort of version of the film since there is a LOT of controversy about Battle Royale in the U.S. so dont expect a release of Battle Royale any time soon. But my money deffinatly goes with Series 7 being a US take on Battle Royale.
