When two hardened death row inmates escape from prison, they come up with a fiendish kidnapping plot to get rich quick. Unfortunately, part of the plot involves a home invasion where they encounter a seemingly mild-mannered salary man and his wife. Director/co-writer Kinji Fukasaku’s (Battle Royale) black and white crime thriller is now available for the first time on Blu-ray in the U.S.
Buy The Threat [Limited Edition] Blu-rayFukasaku expertly ratchets up the tension throughout the film, turning an initially tense situation into a pulse-pounding game of wits headed for an inevitable showdown. The drama is primarily driven by the fantastic interplay between the devious lead baddie, Kawanishi (Ko Nishimura), and the dapper businessman, Misawa (Rentaro Mikuni). The other convict is a young dolt doomed to always be a loser, while the wife doesn’t have much to do other than cower in fear.
The crooks kidnap the infant grandson of a wealthy man and demand a huge ransom, but Kawanishi’s grand plan is to use Misawa as the go-between in all contact with the grandfather to keep the cops from linking the crooks to the crime. Misawa is newly married and just wants to get his young wife out of the home-invasion situation safely, making him a willing participant in the criminal enterprise…up to a point.
The film is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with original uncompressed mono audio. The black and white photography is clearly defined even in numerous nighttime and dimly lit scenes, and the soundtrack is mostly clear of defects. The Blu-ray has newly translated English subtitles and a new audio commentary by a Japanese film expert. A new 20-minute video appreciation is also included, along with the original theatrical trailer and an image gallery.
Fukasaku’s pacing is impeccable, with no dull or unnecessary moments throughout its brisk 84-minute runtime. Camerawork is economical and to the point, fully focused on the plot without any showmanship. It’s a treat to watch the fully-formed characters of Kawanishi and Misawa pull out every stop to come out on top, culminating in the harrowing ransom drop that keeps viewers guessing until the end.
