Fugitive from the Past, A | Blu-ray

A combination crime drama and procedural thriller. An unsolved murder turned cold case is suddenly reinvigorated via a chance encounter and a new string of killings. In turns we’re giving a view into the slowly ensnaring police investigation, and into the life of our now aged, desperate criminal on the run from his past.

An exceptionally cautious movie in pacing and execution, director Tomu Uchida gives every character, every aspect of the film full room to breathe and live in three dimensions. Too often adaptations of literary texts can feel rushed. Like major sections have been left behind and relationships left-under established. A Fugitive from the Past takes on the full scope of its saga in the execution of a remarkable crime story.

Known more for his Samurai epics—especially the Miyamoto Musashi series—the film represented a notable departure for Uchida. However, it is largely considered to be the masterpiece work of the director’s career.

Special Features (via arrowvideo.com)

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the restored 183 minute-long cut of the film
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Introduction by writer and curator Jasper Sharp
• Scene-specific commentaries from leading Japanese film scholars Aaron Gerow, Irene González-López, Erik Homenick, Earl Jackson, Daisuke Miyao and Alexander Zahlten
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Tomu Uchida filmography
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella