When you think about corporate and/or political greed, cover-ups and wrongdoings, what films come to mind? The first thing to come to my mind is Sidney Lumet’s Network. As the years pass it becomes ever more obviously a piece of prophetic art. I was quite surprised then to find a film made 14 years prior to Network, which skews the seedy side of the automobile industry as harshly as Lumet’s film attacked the media. Even more surprising is that such a bitingly cynical and sarcastic film comes from Japan. That film is Yasuzo Masumura’s Black Test Car.

In the restorative years of post-war Japan, an automobile company is attempting to manufacture the country's first sports car, dubbed the Pioneer. Precautions are made to keep information about it as closely guarded as possible. The manufacturer doesn’t want anyone to know of its creation, particularly the competition. Even after the very first test car fails a speed test by flipping into a ditch and burning up, the Tiger Company decides to go into production anyway.

Corporate greed for both money and power are taken to diabolical extremes in Black Test Car. Money sways the weak minded as several previously loyal employees act as double agents, while invaluable secrets are confided by businessmen with ladies of the night. Career suicide takes on literal meaning as the source of info leaks becomes clear. In the end, there are no heroes or winners, because nearly everyone shows their depraved nature by undercutting the guy who undercut them. Every character has been dirtied and their lives will never be the same.

Oddly enough, this film had a very different feel than anything I’ve watched before. With all the double-crossing going on, particularly with the fairer sex, it showed a heavy dose of Noir. However, with such a believable and plausible story showing many faceless but true-to-life characters, I noticed a striking feeling of authenticity that is distinctively Neo-Realistic by nature, very much like Italian films of the 40’s and 50’s.

Apparently, the film made such an impression on Japanese cinema that a series of similarly themed (and named) “Black” films were created. It’s easy to see how Black Test Car would generate a response like that. It’s a fantastic boardroom drama with intriguing elements of espionage proving that in the world of corporations; absolutely no one can be trusted completely, and that so-called professionals are anything but.

A new discovery for me in every way, I strongly recommend it to fans of foreign cinema. It’s simply a damn good film.

The DVD Presentation
For the most part, you would be hard-pressed to complain about Fantoma’s presentation of Black Test Car. This is the American debut of the film in its original aspect ratio, anamorphically enhanced, and uncut with original audio. All of that alone is commendable. But while the transfer is very well done, it’s not quite perfect. Inside scenes fair the best, and the very black backgrounds make the lighting on objects and the characters’ faces stand out beautifully. Exterior scenes have a lot of noticeable grain and an overall softer quality. The audio too, while all voices and effects are clear, there is a slight hiss to the Mono track. None of this makes Black Test Car difficult to watch, and it’s only a minor distraction. Thankfully, the film is worth putting up with them. English subtitles are included and can optionally be turned off.

And the Extras Are?
Original Theatrical Trailer – (2:39)
I’m more than glad to see that the original trailer is included on this DVD (even though it is non-anamorphic). To be perfectly honest though, it isn’t all that interesting of a trailer. It does provide a good feel about the backstabbing done by the rival companies employees, but it doesn’t have all that much “zing” to really sell anyone on Black Test Car.

Photo and Stills Gallery –
About 20 stills are included. Some of them are clips from the film, and many more are promo shots.

Yasuzo Masumura Biography and Filmography –
A nice write-up is included on the disc, explaining both Masumura’s importance to Japanese cinema, as well as influence he has had on other directors. For someone only unfamiliar with Masumura (like myself) I found this a very informative read.

Also included is an attractive insert which unfolds to feature a nice write-up on the film by Chuck Stephens of Film Comment. Another interesting read and something I am always happy to see inside my DVDs.

The Bottom Line
I didn’t quite know what to expect with Black Test Car going into it. I only knew that the plot sounded intriguing and since there is very little information about it online, so I was aware that this would be a fresh discovery for me in nearly every way.

Now that I’ve seen the film I realize that this truly is a lost gem, brilliantly cast and entirely engrossing. I couldn’t recommend it more to fans of Japanese cinema, or even Italian Neo-Realism. And while the lack of extra features is something of a disappointment, the overall package certainly is not.