Categories: Movie News

Shô Kasugi classics, Pray for Death and Rage of Honor, get new Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber

In our Reel Action series on the JoBlo Originals channel on YouTube, we’ve covered the Ninja trilogy from Cannon Films — Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination. All three featured Japanese action star, Shô Kasugi. Now, Blu-ray.com reveals that Kino Lorber will be bringing two of his classics to Blu-ray. Pray for Death and Rage of Honor are both scheduled to hit retailers on December 10.

The description for Pray for Death reads,
“They Shattered His American Dream. The Ninja Master himself, Shô Kosugi (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja), stars as Akira, a Japanese immigrant who starts a new life with his family in America, only to stumble onto the headquarters of a bloodthirsty gang of criminals. When the gangsters begin a rampage of murder that takes the lives of his two sons, Akira must step out of his quiet, peace-loving life and reveal his hidden identity, that of a perfectly skilled Ninja, the most lethal and mysterious of all martial artists. He has sounded his warning to top thug Limehouse (co-star/screenwriter James Booth, Avenging Force) and his henchmen: “Stay away from my family, or you will Pray for Death.” It’s time for vigilante justice—Ninja style! Directed by Gordon Hessler (Kosugi’s Rage of Honor). This two-disc special edition includes both the R rated and unrated versions of the film.”

Special Features and Technical Specs:

  • Optional English Subtitles
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historian Mike Leeder
  • UNRATED AND R RATED VERSIONS OF THE FILM ON TWO DISCS
  • Sho and Tell Part 1: Interview with Shô Kosugi (19:05)
  • Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)

And the description for Rage of Honor reads,
“International action icon Shô Kosugi (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja) unleashes a devastating display of martial arts virtuosity as the forces of evil push him over the edge…and into a Rage of Honor. When his best friend is slain by a vicious drug ring, undercover agent Shiro (Kosugi) vows revenge. Warned by his superiors to drop his vendetta, Shiro pretends to comply, traveling to South America with girlfriend Jennifer for a long overdue ‘vacation.’ Picking up the villains’ trail in Brazil, Shiro forces a confrontation—but it backfires when Jennifer is kidnapped by the drug-runners. Pushed to the limit, Shiro’s mission of vengeance explodes into a bone-crushing martial arts bloodbath as he battles to rescue Jennifer and bring down the corrupt empire of his ruthless opponents! Directed by Gordon Hessler (Kosugi’s Pray for Death).”

Special Features and Technical Specs:

  • Optional English Subtitles
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historian Mike Leeder
  • Sho and Tell Part 2: Interview with Shô Kosugi (17:48)
  • Interview with Composer Stelvio Cipriani (2:47)
  • American Ninjas: Video Essay by Chris Poggiali on the Rise of the Ninja Film in the 1980s (7:34)
  • Theatrical Trailer
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Published by
EJ Tangonan