It was a highly acclaimed movie then and it still catches the attention of new fans. I've seen it countless times but I think you have to know before watching that the main purpose of the film isn't the killing. It has a strong message to society about teenage angst and the moral dilemmas they face while young. Also the constant anxiety over not being good enough in school, constantly having to prove themselves. This can lead to them having real resentment inside, both against other teens aswell as adults, but they're hiding it. On this island, they can let it out and fight.

I was expecting people to respond along these lines, although I thought it would be more to do with how it's an allegory for authoritarianism, resistance, power etc. There was a lot that was just plain strange and unresolved though, like the scene with the umbrella? And the dream sequence on the beach? And the whole painting? I'm not saying there aren't metaphors in there, but you can find metaphors in most things if you look for them...

@silverhawkins said:

I was expecting people to respond along these lines, although I thought it would be more to do with how it's an allegory for authoritarianism, resistance, power etc. There was a lot that was just plain strange and unresolved though, like the scene with the umbrella? And the dream sequence on the beach? And the whole painting? I'm not saying there aren't metaphors in there, but you can find metaphors in most things if you look for them...

I haven't read the book but I know from experience that some things can be explained with being Japanese film making, plain and simple. The things you mentioned were just their way of showing Kitano's obsession with Noriko as he sees her as the daughter he never had. He wanted her to win the battle and survive, he idolized her. One of the metaphors is when he gets up after being shot, argues with his daughter and then eats one of Noriko's cookies. The last thing he does is complimenting the cookie which is the opposite of the argument on the phone. And then he dies. Again.

I haven't seen this, but I'm puzzled. I know it's a Japanese movie, but the title is just the English words "Battle Royale" transliterated into Japanese, and the villains even used the Latin-alphabet initials B.R. on their logo. Why? Are there English-speaking villains running the experiment?

I feel it's overrated too, Benedict.

It’s watchable as a visceral action movie. Clearly, the subject matter makes it a downer and drains away much rewatch value, but it is beautifully shot and I did enjoy it first time around.

It’s almost sunk by the glaring, downright stupid plot hole at its core - it was impossible to believe that not one of the new crop of kids seemed to be aware of the BR programme, which we were shown to have been a huge media circus the previous year.

@CharlesTheBold said:

I haven't seen this, but I'm puzzled. I know it's a Japanese movie, but the title is just the English words "Battle Royale" transliterated into Japanese, and the villains even used the Latin-alphabet initials B.R. on their logo. Why? Are there English-speaking villains running the experiment?

Westernised logos and phrases are quite commonplace in Japanese culture.