Kinji Fukasaku's Message From Space 'Calling' Masters Of Cinema

Eureka Entertainment fantastic array of films may keep them ‘grounded’ on Earth, Space is now calling them! Message From Space, Kinji Fukasaku’s spectacular 1978 sci-fi adventure is coming to Blu-ray. For the first time in the UK from an immaculate restoration available from July in the UK as part of The Masters of Cinema Series.

Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale) directs an international cast led by Sonny Chiba, Vic Morrow and Etsuko Shihomi in the science fiction spectacle Message from Space – the Toei Company’s answer to the barnstorming box-office success that was Star Wars.

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.

A Trailer has been released to celebrate the release, check it out…

SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES:
Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Scott Saslow | Limited edition reversible poster | 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a restoration of the original film elements supplied by Toei | Original Japanese audio English dub | Optional English subtitles | Brand new audio commentary by Tom Mes | An appreciation of the film by film writer Patrick Macias | Reversible sleeve featuring original poster artwork | Stills gallery | Trailers | PLUS: A collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Christopher Stewardson