The Beast to Die (1980): A Story of Nihilistic Violence

ByFabian Bullitt

1980 • Tōru Murakawa • 1.85:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓

In The Beast to Die, directed by Toru Murakawa, a war photographer returns to Japan, his experiences having left him psychologically altered. He drifts into a detached and increasingly violent state. As he navigates urban spaces with a sense of alienation, his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, ultimately resulting in a calculated descent into crime.

A violent crime thriller that also functions as a psychological study, the film adopts a stark, clinical visual style to depict the protagonist’s internal disintegration. Yusaku Matsuda delivers an intense performance, often being visually isolated, especially in vast spaces. He also isolates himself when listening to classical music.

A nihilistic exploration of trauma, the film contrasts high culture with animalistic savagery, leading to startling tonal shifts and a fractured perception of violence. The Beast to Die never glamorises that violence, especially as the story progresses and the protagonist’s detachment starts to affect the world around him. This makes for a jarring yet fascinating watch.

Technical Specs:

  • The Story: A war-scarred journalist descends into paranoia and nihilistic violence as his fractured psyche, unresolved trauma, and obsession with death push him toward an inevitable collapse.
  • Actors: Yūsaku Matsuda, Asami Kobayashi, Hideo Murota, Rikiya Yasuoka, Yoshirō Aoki, Kai Ato, Eimei Esumi.
  • Director: Tōru Murakawa
  • Year: 1980
  • Cinematographer: Seizō Sengen
  • Origin: Japanese Cinema
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Genre: Crime & Mystery
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-01
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-02
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-03
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-05
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-06
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-07
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-08
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-09
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-10
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-11
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-12
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-13
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-14
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-15
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-16
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-17
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-18
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-19
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-20
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-21
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-22
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-23
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-24
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-25
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-26
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-27
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-28
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-29
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-30
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-31
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-32
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-33
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-34
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-35
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-36
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-37
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-38
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-39
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-40
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-41
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-42
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-43
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-44
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-45
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-46
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-47
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-48
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-49
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-50
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-51
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-52
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-53
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-54
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-55
The-Beast-to-Die-1980-stills-56

More Galleries