Blu-ray release: ‘The Valiant Red Peony: Red Peony Gambler I-III’

By   |  Apr 29, 2024

Eureka Entertainment are bringing the first three films in the Japanese ‘Red Peony Gambler’ series to UK Blu-ray on June 17, 2024.

Originally released between 1968 and 1972, the series is a cornerstone of the ninkyo eiga genre and a clear influence on such cult favourites such as ‘Lady Snowblood’ and Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’. The set includes the first three ‘Red Peony Gambler’ films, starring Junko Fuji (’13 Assassins’) and directed by three titans of Japanese genre cinema in Kosaku Yamashita, Norifumi Suzuki and Tai Kato.

Set during the Meiji era, ‘Red Peony Gambler’ (緋牡丹博徒) stars Fuji as Ryuko Yano, the daughter of a gambler. When her father is murdered, Ryuko takes on a new name derived from the crimson flower tattooed on her shoulder – “Oryu, the Red Peony” – and sets out for revenge. Then, in ‘Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation’ (緋牡丹博徒 一宿一飯), Oryu falls in with a group of yakuza attempting to monopolise the silk trade. When machinations within the gang lead to a betrayal, the Red Peony takes action. Finally, in ‘Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game’ (緋牡丹博徒　花札勝負), Oryu meets a pair of star-crossed lovers as she becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival yakuza clans.

Fuji would go on to play the Red Peony five more times, cementing the character as the archetype for many of the vengeful women to follow in Japanese cinema and beyond. These early entries in the ‘Red Peony Gambler’ series are presented here for the first time ever on Blu-ray from brand new restorations of the original film elements by Toei.

Features:
• 1080p HD presentation of all three films
• Original Japanese audio tracks (uncompressed LPCM mono)
• New audio commentary tracks on all three films
• Tony Rayns on ‘Red Peony Gambler’
• Trailers
• Collector’s booklet
• Limited edition O-card slipcase [First print run of 2000 copies only]

‘The Valiant Red Peony: Red Peony Gambler I-III’ is available to pre-order now from Amazon.co.uk.

Phil Mills
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