Black Belt (film)
Encyclopedia
Black Belt, known as Kuro-obi in Japan, is a 2007 film directed by Shunichi Nagasaki
. It focuses mainly on the martial art of Karate
, insofar that it doesn't contain any of the usual exaggerations of the genre. For example, the lead roles were played by karate experts, and no special effects were used.
ese-occupied Manchuria
, in which the corrupt leaders of the Japanese army are trying to take over all the Karate dojo
s for their own personal benefit. Amidst these circumstances the master of one of these dojos dies before passing on the Kuroobi to his successor, leaving the three of his pupils (Taikan (Tatsuya Naka), Giryu (Akihito Yagi
) and Choei (Yuji Suzuki)) the task of deciding amongst themselves who deserves it most. After they bury their master, they are forced to leave the dojo and join the Japanese army. At this point, their journey leads them on rather different paths both in life and in the understanding of their master's teachings of martial arts, only to reunite them at the end and bring them to a mutual conclusion.
Madman Entertainment (Australia)
Shunichi Nagasaki
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter.-Director: is a Japanese film director and screenwriter.-Director: is a Japanese film director and screenwriter.-Director::2007 Black Belt Known in Japan as Kuro-Obi【黒帯】....
. It focuses mainly on the martial art of Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, insofar that it doesn't contain any of the usual exaggerations of the genre. For example, the lead roles were played by karate experts, and no special effects were used.
Plot
The events take place in 1932 in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese-occupied Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
, in which the corrupt leaders of the Japanese army are trying to take over all the Karate dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
s for their own personal benefit. Amidst these circumstances the master of one of these dojos dies before passing on the Kuroobi to his successor, leaving the three of his pupils (Taikan (Tatsuya Naka), Giryu (Akihito Yagi
Meibukan
Meibukan is a branch of the Goju-ryu style of karate-do. It was created by Dai Sensei Meitoku Yagi, a student of Goju-ryu's founder, Master Chojun Miyagi. Meibukan means "House of the pure-minded warrior."...
) and Choei (Yuji Suzuki)) the task of deciding amongst themselves who deserves it most. After they bury their master, they are forced to leave the dojo and join the Japanese army. At this point, their journey leads them on rather different paths both in life and in the understanding of their master's teachings of martial arts, only to reunite them at the end and bring them to a mutual conclusion.
DVD releases
Tokyo Shock (America)'- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1:85:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
- Subtitles: English
- Supplements: Trailer, Trailers for Heroes TwoHeroes TwoHeroes Two is a 1974 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Chang Cheh, and starring Alexander Fu Sheng and Chen Kuan Tai. It is also known as Bloody Fists and Blood Brothers.- Plot :...
, The MasterThe Master- Writing :*The Master , a 2004 novel by Colm Tóibín*The Master: An Adventure Story, a 1957 science fiction novel for children by T. H. White*The Masters, a novel in the Strangers and Brothers sequence by C. P...
, Challenge of the MastersChallenge of the MastersChallenge of the Masters is a 1976 martial arts-action film released in Hong Kong by Shaw Brothers, and directed by Lau Kar Leung.-Plot:After his father refuses to teach him kung fu and he is constantly being beaten around by rival school students, a young Wong Fei Hung must train under Luk Ah...
, The Deadly DuoThe Deadly DuoThe Deadly Duo is a 1971 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh, and starring David Chiang and Ti Lung.-Cast:*David Chiang as Little Bat*Ti Lung as Bao Ting Tien*Ku Feng as Man Tien Kuei*Wong Chung as Hero Gau Shun*Chan Sing as Jin emperor... - Region 1, NTSC
Madman Entertainment (Australia)
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1:78:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
- Subtitles: English
- Supplements: Making Of Black Belt, Theatrical trailer, TV Spot, Trailers for KaidanKaidanKaidan is a Japanese word consisting of two kanji: 怪 meaning “strange, mysterious, rare or bewitching apparition" and 談 meaning “talk” or “recited narrative.”-Overall meaning and usage:...
, Death TranceDeath TranceDeath Trance is a 2005 Japanese action/fantasy film directed by Yuji Shimomura, the action director for Versus and Devil May Cry 3. It stars Tak Sakaguchi of Versus fame as the anti-hero with co-stars Kentaro Seagal and Takamasa Suga.The film is the directorial debut of Shimomura, and similarities...
, A Tattooed Life, Sonny Chiba Boxset Volume 1 - Region 4, PAL