A totalitarian government have a novel idea to try and curb juvenile delinquency- to send a random class  to an island where they will have to kill each other. Whoever is left is the winner. They have three days to complete the task. They are given provisions and a different weapon each. They also have a device fitted around their necks which can’t be removed. When activated this will make their head explode if they are found to be cheating, are planning on somehow opting out of the game or if there is more than one person left after the three days. This game is called Battle Royale.

I remember the first time I read the premise for Kinji Fukasaku’s film and thought, ‘I need to see this!’ I wasn’t disappointed.

Within the film it’s interesting to see the children who go crazy and indiscriminately start killing their classmates and those who stay calm, the ones who choose to opt out of the sadism (a couple decide to commit suicide rather than participate) and those who are clearly sociopathic and relish the situation. It’s also brilliant to see the gang of friends who decide to hack the computer system of the government body who are running the game.

Battle Royale was massively controversial when it was released in both it’s native Japan and abroad. One such bone of contention was that the characters in the film who are made to participate in Battle Royale are all aged 15. I love the fact that when the film was given a rating which prohibited those under 15 from seeing the film, it’s director went on TV and suggested that those who were underage just sneak in anyway.

Detractors of the film voiced the opinion that the film would encourage a teenage crime-wave. They seem to have missed one of the statements the film was making about this topic- Battle Royale was a game devised to curb the perceived rise in youth crime. Violence breeds violence.

But controversy is the best publicity for a film and Battle Royale was a massive success. It’s a blend of A Clockwork Orange, Escape From New York, The Running Man and Lord of the Flies. And with all of the most violent films, theres a dark gallows humour within the narrative that is very charming. I laughed more than once when I saw the movie for the first time. I also love the fact that after every death there is a caption stating the character’s name, their age and how many contestants are remaining.

The fact that this ‘game’ is being run for others entertainment is also very perceptive. In this age of reality TV and extreme game shows are we really that far away from a real Battle Royale?