Message from Space Blu-ray 1978 Sonny Chiba Eureka Star Wars Japan Vic Morrow

Sonny Chiba, Vic Morrow and Hiroyuki Sanada in Japan's answer to Star Wars? Sold!

Introducing Eureka's Limited Edition Blu-ray for Message From Space, a 1978 sci-fi thriller from Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale) that’s basically Toei Company’s answer to the barnstorming box-office success that was Star Wars. The film features an all-star cast that includes Sonny Chiba (Street Fighter), Vic Morrow (Twilight Zone: The Movie), Etsuko Shihomi (Soul of Chiba) and many more!

Somewhere in a far flung galaxy lies the planet of Jillucia. Once a peaceful utopia, it has now fallen under the control of the Gavanas Empire, a warlike race ruled by the ruthless Emperor Rockseia (Mikio Narita). Desperate for help, the leader of the Jillucian people (Junkichi Orimoto) launches eight Liabe seeds into space – glowing orbs that, according to legend, will each summon a powerful warrior to the planet’s aid. The seeds are followed into the void by Princess Emeralida (Shihomi) and loyal Jillucian soldier Urocco (Makoto Satō), who attempt to find the prophesied protectors of their home world: ex-military commander General Garuda (Morrow) and his robot companion Beba-2 (Isamu Shimizu), thrill-seekers Shiro (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Aaron (Philip Casnoff), gambler Jack (Masazumi Okabe), aristocrat Meia (Peggy Lee Brennan) and swordsman Hans (Chiba), who has a deeply personal score to settle with the Gavanas Empire.

Boasting a sweeping score and special effects that impress to this day, Message from Space was the most expensive Japanese film ever made at the time of its release – a cosmic fantasy designed to replicate the success of Star Wars while drawing upon Japan’s own genre tradition, recalling such films as Battle in Outer Space, Gorath and Fukasaku’s own The Green Slime. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Message from Space on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from an immaculate restoration of the original film elements by Toei.

IMPORTANT NOTE: An all-region Blu-ray player is required to view this movie. Standard U.S. Blu-ray players will NOT read Region B discs. If you're looking for a reliable all-region player, we've got you covered!

Limited Edition Features:

• Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Scott Saslow [2000 copies]
• A collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Christopher Stewardson

Features: 

• 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a restoration of the original film elements supplied by Toei Original
• Japanese audio Optional English dubbed audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Brand new audio commentary by Tom Mes
• Message from Earth – archival documentary featuring interviews with Sonny Chiba and Kenta Fukasaku
• Brand new appreciation of the film by film writer Patrick Macias
• Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork
• Stills gallery
• Trailers

Technical Specs:

• Country: Japan
• Language: Japanese
• Year: 1978
• Runtime: 105
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Subtitles: Optional English Subtitles