GOLGO 13. A series that I came to due in part the animated film from the 1980s. That was a classic of Bondesque sardonic action and violence. Now thanks to Eureka, we have the Blu Ray release of the original adaptation of the long-running manga series by Takao Saito. This sees Ken Takakura play as the silent assassin Golgo 13. He has a taste for submerging into the background, doing what needs to be done and then disappearing without a trace. His stoic killer-for-hire is a man literally on a mission. Here he is in Tehran, in the days of the Shah. He has a target with a vague name and that name is a man who steals women’s lives by kidnapping them and selling them for sex. In his travels through Iran, his trusted scoped M16 rifle and a toned frame are all he needs to resolve this job.

GOLGO 13 is legendary for a host of reasons. The commentary from Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, touches on a his sexuality, rugged energy and that ever so subtle lack of respect he has for anyone or thing. What it doesn’t reflect on is Director Junya Satō skills at making the films central character enhanced. He could have been a mindless, wordless murderer but instead he has a sense of charm. The mysterious Golgo 13 framed by a near silence, is not just a machine acting on impulses. He is an actor captured in a range of circumstances. When he finds the first target, he delivers a burst of creative balance. He speaks in bursts. He fires in bursts. He acts in bursts. Its dynamic and dramatic.  

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Limited Edition slipcase featuring new artwork by Tony Stella [2000 copies]
• 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements
• Optional English subtitles
• Brand new audio commentary by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
• Lucky 13: Junya Sato’s biographers on Golgo 13 – Brand new interview with film writer Tatsuya Masuto and film critic Masaaki Nomura
• Trailer
• A limited edition collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film by Tom Mes [2000 copies]