In July, U.S.-based label Massacre Video is unleashing the Men Behind the Sun 1-3 Trilogy, a Blu-ray (Region A) series that started with T. F. Mou’s 1988 cult film, Men Behind the Sun (aka Camp 731). All three films come complete with brand new 4k/2K scans from the original camera negatives.
Men Behind the Sun comes with the reputation of being one of the most controversial movies ever made. It holds the distinction of being the first movie to be rated Category III in Hong Kong, has been released in very few territories uncut, was originally banned in Australia, and caused such an outcry in Japan that the director received death threats (to find out just how crazy this movie is, be sure to read Paul Bramhall’s full review).
Official details:
Men Behind the Sun (aka Camp 731):
Warning: not for the faint of heart! Man Behind The Sun exposes the stomach-churning horrors of Unit 731 – Japan’s most secret, nightmarish military prison during World War II. In this infamous epoch, we follow a youth squad as they’re indoctrinated to believe the prisoners are disposable as scrap wood; their only use as human guinea pigs for brutal chemical and biological warfare research.
Massacre Video proudly presents one of the most controversial films of all time, in its full uncut version. Newly restored from its original camera negatives – and with newly translated English subtitles – Man Behind The Sun blurs the line between historical drama and gruesome exploitation. It’s a harrowing account of sadism and inhumanity that is, itself, an ordeal to watch. Directed by the legendary T.F. Mou.
Features:
- New 4k Restoration from the 35mm Original Camera Negatives
- Uncompressed Mandrain, Japanese and English PCM Sound
- Removeable English Subtitles
- A Conversation with TF Mou by Jules Carrozza
- TF Mous Personal BTS Photos Gallery
- Trailers for other Massacre Video Releases
Labotoary of the Devil (aka Men Behind the Sun 2):
Laboratory of the Devil tells the story of Morishima, a young, idealistic doctor practicing in WWII Japan. Upon discovering Unit 731 – a secret military prison in Manchuria – Morishima is horrified by the treatment of the captors; they’re brutalized, subject to torturous experimentation. In the name of science, of course! There’s only one solution for Morishima: he must liberate them all.
Massacre Video proudly presents Laboratory of the Devil, the controversial sequel to the notorious and disturbing Men Behind the Sun. This uncut, newly restored version is compiled from the Original Camera Negative, with video inserts for missing scenes. Only dir. Godfrey Ho could conceive such a chilling tale.
Features:
- New 2k Restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negatives
- Uncompressed Mandrain, Cantonese and English PCM Sound
- Removeable English Subtitles
- Stills from Behind the Scenes
- Trailers for Other Massacre Video Releases
Narrow Escape (aka Men Behind the Sun 3):
Narrow Escape details the final days of Unit 731 – Japan’s most notorious military prison during WWII, and a bastion of inhuman biological research. At the end of the war, the Unit’s Commander plots its destruction so as not to release the camp’s disturbing secrets to the public. However, a Japanese General is wounded and infected by plague bacteria inside the Unit’s laboratory. The General then boards the very last train away from the camp, spreading the horrifying virus to the other, unsuspecting travelers.
Massacre Video proudly presents Narrow Escape – the third and final sequel to the Men Behind the Sun trilogy – once again by director Godfrey Ho. This newly restored, uncut version is sourced from the Original Camera Negative.
Features:
- New 2k Restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negatives
- Uncompressed Mandrain and Cantonese PCM Sound
- Removeable English Subtitles
- Stills from Behind the Scenes
- Trailers for Other Massacre Video Releases
Pre-order from Massacre Video today!
Thanks for making me aware of this. I’ve been morbidly curious about Men Behind The Sun for a while now. Sometimes I think about taking the plunge and buying it, at least the old DVD release that’s still floating around. It seems like something that’s probably worth “experiencing” (?).
I was wondering if it would ever get a proper blu-ray release, and what do you know, here we are… still am not sure if I’m ever going to watch it. (let’s just say that if I do, I’ll probably have to hug my cat afterward)
“Thanks for making me aware of this.” We’re not sure if we want to say “You’re welcome”.