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Audio Format: DD 2.0
Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic)
Languages: Japanese, Cantonese
Subtitles: English, Chinese
Region Code: ALL
Year Made: 2002
Running Time: 122
Release Date: 03/21/2008
This evocative action/drama film from director Takashi Miike (FULL METAL YAKUZA) follows the life of Eiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara), an inmate of Ishikawa Island prison camp. Having been incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit, Eiji relies on his faithful friend in the outside world, Sabu (Satoshi Tsumabuki), to prove his innocence. Fans of Miike's inimitable style will find much to love here, with the director pulling off some spectacular set pieces, alongside some moving performances from his leads. Based on a plpular Japanese novel by Shugoro Yamamoto, SABU is an absorbing tale, executed with panache and flair by the cast and crew.
Tatsuya Fujiwara (star of Battle Royale and Battle Royale 2: Requiem) plays Eiji, while Satoshi Tsumabuki (of Dragon Head and Tomie: Re-Birth) plays Sabu. The two boys are old friends from way back to their childhood years. Soon though, Eiji is shipped off to a work camp on the island of Ishikawa. Sabu isn't really too sure what happened to his old friend and when he begins to ask around he finds that those in charge of the work camp don't really want to discuss the matter.
It turns out that Eiji was sent away for stealing a golden cloth worth roughly 100 Ryos, but it seems that someone framed him. While in the camp, he becomes very introverted and doesn't socialize with the other inmates anymore than he has to. When Sabu finds out that Eiji is on the island, he makes an attempt to visit him in hopes that he can find out how this all happened. Eiji, on the other hand, is far more interested in vengeance against those who had him locked up in the first place than in clearing his own name.
From the director of such excessive films as Ichi The Killer, Fudoh, Visitor Q and Dead Or Alive, one might expect a fast paced blood soaked slapstick celebration of the absurd but Sabu is an extremely quiet film that moves at a slow and deliberate pace. If Ichi told its story in shouts and bursts than Sabu tells it in careful whispers. Those familiar with The Bird People Of China or Ley Lines though already know that Miike's quiet side is just as impressive as his boisterous one and sometimes considerably more effective.
Sabu comes to DVD in style courtesy of Artsmagic's fine presentation. The movie might surprise those used to Miike's more sensational films, but it plays very well and proves that there is a lot more to the director's talents than arterial spray and gratuitous exploitation.
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