Overview: After wooing stewardess Yoriko (Chieko Matsubara, Tokyo Drifter), war photographer Hondo (Akira Kobayashi, Battles Without Honor and Humanity) sees her kidnapped by a team of deadly female assassins who use vinyl records as weapons.

Investigating her whereabouts, Hondo uncovers a conspiracy to steal a buried stash of WWII-era gold. Soon he must dodge go-go dancing ninjas and chewing-gum bullets to save Yoriko, whose family secret is tied to the hidden treasure.

Every bit as stylish and inventive as the wildest works by his mentor Seijun Suzuki, Yasuharu Hasebe’s spy spoof is a gaudy 1960s pop delight that ranks with the likes of Joseph Losey’s Modesty Blaise and Mario Bava’s Danger: Diabolik!

Blu-ray Verdict: Hasebe’s debut feature could definitely pass for a crazy ’60s films from his mentor, Seijun Suzuki. It’s a colorful spy spoof about a couple (Akira Kobayashi and Chieko Matsubara, who starred in Tokyo Drifter) who are caught between several groups, Americans, yakuza and lady ninjas, searching for lost WWII era gold that Matsubara’s father is rumored to have hidden.

It’s the lady ninjas who give the film its American title (the Japanese title translates to Don’t Touch Me, I’m Dangerous). Dressed in black tights, they fight with razor sharp tape measurer swords, chewing gum bullets and 45 rpm records, used as ninja stars. The use of color is amazing and will definitely recall Tokyo Drifter for those who know of such things.

Released on DVD in the US in 2000 by Image, but now out here this month on stunning Blu-ray, and as much as the disc back then was pretty terrible, with hardcoded and often misspelled subtitles; which often disappeared when anything white appeared on screen, this MVD version is as good as they come, trust me.

In closing, Akira Kobayashi takes inspiration from 007 with his great turn as Hondo, who Kobayashi keeps as suave and sophisticated. Believed by all to be the key to unlock her dad’s gold bundles, pretty Chieko Matsubara gives a smooth performance tinged with vagueness as Sawanouchi, who keeps the level of her knowledge closely under wraps from the black tight killers.

Special Features:
High-Definition digital transfer
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Audio commentary by Jasper Sharp
Archival interview with director Yasuharu Hasebe
Trailer
Optional English subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Japanese cinema expert Chris D.

www.radiancefilms.co.uk