Black Belt   Starring: Akihito Yag, Tatsuya Naka and Yuji Suzuki MVM RRP: £15.99 MLA2012 Certificate: 15 Available 08 August 2011

In 1932, the Japanese military have invaded Manchuria and have taken to insinuating themselves into Karate Dojo’s for their own reason. In one Dojo, after witnessing his student face off and best the army, the Master dies, passing on the Black Belt...

Black Belt (2007 - 1 hr, 31 min, 37 sec) is a martial arts historical drama directed by Shunichi Nagasaki from a Jôji Iida script. I don’t think that I have seen martial arts so well imbedded into a historical drama since Ip Man, rather than being a device to add some excitement, the way forward for the Dojo really leads the three surviving adepts down different paths. When it does happen, the Karate is integral to the plot.

The film won a single nomination at the 2007 Montréal World Film Festival for Shunichi Nagasaki, which is a shame as the film deserves better.

The film takes the philosophy behind karate seriously and this leads to conflict for the central characters as the military attempts to draft all the karate adepts into the army for its planned invasion of China, a use of karate which goes against its central ideals. Presumably, both the director and writer have some sympathy for this way of life as their portrayal of the Japanese stays just the safe side of outright contempt.

The film must be recommended for its main cast Akihito Yagi (Giryu), Tatsuya Naka (Taikan) and Yuji Suzuki (Choei) all of whom are convincing as men trying to make sense of their philosophy in an ever changing world. Cinematography, costumes and settings are equally impressive as is the restraints used in not having the film break out into a fight every ten minutes, allowing the story to develop.

Audio is either Japanese Dolby 5.1 or 2.0 with optional Japanese subtitles; the picture is pleasantly sharp and clear with a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer.

Extras are restricted to the usual ‘Making of’ (15 min, 27 sec), a Theatrical Trailer (1 min, 59 sec) and TV Spot Trailer (32 sec).

Well worth a look for anyone looking for a serious treatment of karate.

7

Charles Packer