Street Fighter (Blu-ray)

In a role that would bring him international acclaim and the adulation of martial arts fans world wide, the legendary Sonny Chiba stars as Takuma Tsurugi, a mercenary street fighter hired by both the Mafia and the Yakuza to kidnap a wealthy heiress. However, when his fee goes unpaid, Tsurugi decides to switch sides and a violent vendetta ensues. The first film to be granted an "X" certificate in America on the basis of its violent content (undeniably graphic, it is however groundbreaking in its depiction of the consequences of violence), The Street Fighter is one of the all time cult classics and ranks amongst Quentin Tarantino's favourite films. Brilliantly directed by Shigehiro Ozawa and featuring numerous frequently imitated though never bettered martial arts confrontations (the best of which take place aboard an oil tanker), The Street Fighter went on to spawn three equally influential sequels and established Chiba as an action hero to rival Bruce Lee.