Japanese Torture

In the past, the only way to prove the true culprit of a crime was through physical evidence and the suspect's confession. For this reason, various torture methods were used to force confessions. However, the principle of confession was rejected in 1879, and torture was abolished. However, this is only on the surface, and torture by police and prosecutors continues to be used subtly to this day. This film is a shocking semi-documentary that exposes the reality of the numerous torture methods that stain history with gruesome blood. The story is divided into three parts and vividly depicts two cases of torture by those in power, one of a brutal lynching that covers the eyes of a husband with a lesbian wife, and another, each of which builds up abnormal sexual excitement amid the bloody scenes.

Directed by Banmei Takahashi, Japanese Torture leans on a strong ensemble — Naomi Oka, Shirō Shimomoto, Yūichi Minato — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1978.