Kaneto Shindô's classic Kuroneko comes to Blu-ray in June

Eureka Entertainment Ltd have announced the release of another in their Masters of Cinema series on Blu-ray.

Out on 24th June is another classic from director Kaneto Shindô. Released in 1968, Kuroneko was also known as Yabu no naka no kuroneko or The Black Cat Inside the Bamboo Grove. A sparse, atmospheric horror story, this stars Nobuko Otowa, Kiwako Taichi and Kichiemon Nakamura.

Arriving with a newly restored 1080p transfer, in its original 2.35:1 original aspect ratio, it includes newly translated optional English subtitles, a trailer, and booklet with an essay by Doug Cummings, a reprint of a vintage interview with Shindô by Joan Mellen, and rare archival imagery.

The recommended retail price will be £19.99.

Synopsis, marketing blurb and trailer follow...

In this magnificently eerie and romantic film, loosely based on the Japanese folktale The Cat’s Return, a mother and daughter-in-law are raped and murdered by pillagers, but return from the dead as vampiric cat spirits intent on revenge.

As the ghosts lure soldiers into the bamboo groves, a fearless samurai, Gintoki, is sent to stop their reign of terror.

Kuroneko remains a standout film of the kaidan eiga genre of period ghost stories often based on old legends or kabuki plays. Marking Shindô’s first use of wire work as Yone and Shige battle against samurai blades, the film is subtly complimented by Kiyomi Kuroda’s award-winning chiaroscuro cinematography, Hikaru Hayashi’s vibrant score, and riveting performances from many of the greatest actors of Japan’s golden age of film.