Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Death Ride to Osaka Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 1, 2021

After suffering through a strong of box office disappointments, director Jonathan Kaplan took refuge in television movies, spending the early 1980s managing a handful of network offerings for mass audiences. 1983’s “Death Ride to Osaka” (a.k.a. “Girls of the White Orchid”) is perhaps the most aggressive of the bunch, with Kaplan in charge of providing exploitation fare for NBC, creating a cautionary tale about human trafficking that’s careful to linger on violence and uneasy sexuality. “Death Ride to Osaka” isn’t hard-hitting stuff, but Kaplan finds a certain level of potency with the rougher edges of the teleplay (credited to Carole and Michael Raschella), also exploring cultural confusion during the run time, aiming to deliver something unsettling while still remaining an accessible night of T.V. for adult audiences.

“Death Ride to Osaka” follows the ruination of Carol (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a young California woman trying to become a pop singer. She takes a chance on a performing opportunity in Tokyo, soon realizing she’s being prepped to become a prostitute for the Yakuza, with her eyes opened to such a dire reality by Marilyn (Ann Jillian), an older dancer. The plot isn’t anything new, but Kaplan brings some intensity to the journey, as Carol doesn’t submit quietly, working to escape her situation by going to the embassy and local police. However, violence is present, finding enforcer Mori (Mako) quick to hurt the employees if they step out of line, adding some brutality to a semi-lurid thriller (the cable version of the film, with nudity, is offered on the Blu-ray).

More T.V. friendly than female suffering is a subplot with Don (Thomas Byrd), Carol’s former boyfriend, who becomes a knight on a quest to save his lost love, working through the details of her disappearance. It’s a simplistic addition to “Death Ride to Osaka,” helping to make the whole thing palatable, but it’s clear Kaplan’s interests remain with Japanese crime specifics and characters, who are more interesting than American additions, including Carol.

Death Ride to Osaka Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratio options) presentation offers a clear look at production achievements, offering excellent detail with club interiors, which survey a community of businessmen and high decorated women of the night. Exteriors are dimensional, capturing walking tours of Tokyo and Los Angeles. Facial surfaces are defined. Costuming is nicely varied and textured. Colors are boosted by club lighting, which provide a warmer party atmosphere, and colder concrete adventures in the city are preserved. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in great condition.

Death Ride to Osaka Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA secures dialogue exchanges, which retain a quieter level of panic with Carol, while yakuza dealings are more authoritative. Soundtrack selections and stage performances are louder, with distinct instrumentation and vocal power. Atmospherics are appreciable, with street and club bustle present.

Death Ride to Osaka Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film curator Lars Nilsen.

• Interview (46:04, HD) is a video conference talk with director Jonathan Kaplan. Emerging from the bombing of "Over the Edge," Kaplan was hunting for any sort of gig, finding an offer from television producer Leonard Hill. Presented with a chance to shoot some of the film in Japan and work with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kaplan was up for the challenge, though he details a developing fiasco with a production manager who was sent oversees to secure locations. Mako also rescued the helmer, stepping forward to deal with Japanese culture and language demands. The interviewee shares great fondness for Leigh, detailing her creative process and desire to sing in the feature, also touching on her emotional state during this post-"Twilight Zone: The Movie" time in her life. Crew troubles are explored and career woes are remembered, with Kaplan sparking to the exposure and scheduling of T.V. entertainment, eventually claiming work on "E.R."

• "Finding My Own Way" (15:31, HD) is a video essay created by Chris O'Neill.

Death Ride to Osaka Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Death Ride to Osaka" doesn't reach its dramatic potential, but moments of horror remain, as Kaplan fights to preserve an authentic feeling of hopelessness before NBC formula returns to land the production with a somewhat ridiculous conclusion. It's not as sharp as it could be, but "Death Ride to Osaka" is unusually hostile for television entertainment, offering audiences a darker look at the corruption of innocence.