Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 2, 2025

Radiance Films recently brought out its Blu-ray of Underworld Beauty, a release whose cover verbiage announced it was an "early noir", something that may seem a bit surprising given the fact that the film came out in 1958. That "early" bit of course pertains to Japanese cinema, which got into its "noir phase" a good deal later than the Americans. In that regard, it might not be that surprising that Cash Calls Hell, a film which is at least occasionally cited (including in supplements on this very disc) as a prime example of Japanese noir, wasn't released until 1966. Oida (Tatsuya Nakadai) is perhaps not the typical noir "schlub" (a technical term) who finds himself seduced and abandoned by a veritable femme fatale, and in fact it's at least hinted rather broadly early in this twisting and turning tale that Oida's moral compass may have a glitch or two. That involves what is basically his attempt to "sleep his way to the top" by romancing his boss's daughter, though there's the pesky problem of his longtime girlfriend to deal with.

Perhaps surprisingly given the often nefarious plot machinations of a typical noir, Oida actually attempts to talk to the flame he's jettisoning, instead of outright murdering her, though death of another kind shows up at his doorstep (or at least his windshield), leading to his eventual imprisonment after having unwittingly killed two people with his car. He's obviously ill equipped to handle being thrust into a hardscrabble prison life, and might be compared fitfully to characters like those played by Alan Alda in The Glass House or Henry Fonda in The Wrong Man. Suffice it to say Oida soon finds himself ensnared in a hit for hire where he ends up the appointed hitman after he gets out of stir.

Cash Calls Hell is surprisingly nuanced even as it treads a pretty hyperbolic story approach, and it's especially interesting how the film subtly offers a socioeconomic critique of Japan emerging from the ashes of World War II, in an "economic miracle" that may not have exactly "reached out and touched" everyone. There are also some stylistic flourishes along the way, both structurally, with a kind of ping ponging timeframe, and also presentationally, as in the opening sequence which shows a heist which ultimately plays into the proceedings, albeit offered in reverse polarization (i.e., negative imagery as shown in screenshot 9), which keeps certain elements "masked" (though they're revealed along the way). As the interesting vide essay by Patrick Macias gets into, the film served as a showcase for a whole host of younger Japanese performers who would go on to notable careers.

Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Cash Calls Hell is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Film Movement with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.38:1. As usual, Film Movement doesn't provide much technical information on the transfer, offering only a generic "new digital restoration" in its insert booklet. This is an appealing looking presentation, but it shows recurrent signs of age related wear and tear pretty much from the get go during the Shochiku masthead and then continuing on. Numerous little flecks, speckling and scratches are discernable, probably exacerbated by the appealing chiaroscuro cinematography by Chu Sakai (Tadashi Sakai) which emphasizes blacks and darker tones, which can't help but make white flecks in particular stand out. Blacks actually can create their own minor passing issues, with some noticeable crush along the way (see screenshot 8). All of this said, there are still some appealing fine detail levels on things like costume fabrics, at least when lighting regimens allow. Grain is in evidence, but some of the lower light material looks like it may have undergone some kind of "grain management", since it can look pretty smooth at times.

Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Cash Calls Hell features an LPCM 2.0 Mono track in the original Japanese. This doesn't have an especially baroque sound design, and as such the mono track supports both a jazz inflected score by Masaru Satô and occasional sound effects without any issues. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Fighting Spirit (HD; 9:12) is a well done visual essay by Patrick Macias that provides quite a bit of interesting background information on the film and several of its performers.


• Bitter Little World (HD; 8:45) offers Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatra author Odie Henderson for no real reason that I frankly could discern, in an okay but less interesting to me discussion about the film.


• Cash Calls Hell Trailer (HD; 1:04)


• Cash Calls Hell Original Theatrical Teaser (HD; 1:24)


• Cash Calls Hell Original Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:34)

As with many Film Movement titles, there's also an About Film Movement option on the main menu which leads to a text pop up providing information about the label. The keepcase sleeve features an inner print photograph.

The insert booklet features an essay by Steve MacFarlane, along with a variety of stills and the usual cast and crew information.

Cash Calls Hell Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cash Calls Hell has a rather interesting multilayered premise, with some potent subtext, and it offers nice opportunities for a varied ensemble cast, with an especially appealing performance by Yukari Uehara as a little girl who captures Oida's wounded heart. Video quality is generally acceptable, though there are some recurrent signs of admittedly minor but still noticeable damage. Audio is fine and the supplements, especially the Macias one, are enjoyable. Recommended.