Banmei Takahashi’s background may be pink film but he leapt into horror with two exploitation flicks that feature home invasion, grue and gore and body horror. DOOR I and DOOR II were recently rescued from obscurity with 2K remasters that were screened in mini theatres in Japan and now they are going to get a Blu-Ray release thanks to Third Window Films. That release is on October 30th.
DOOR 
ドア 「DOA」
Original Release Date: May 14th, 1988
Duration: 115 mins.
Director: Banmei Takahashi
Writer: Ataru Oikawa, Banmei Takahashi (Screenplay),
Starring: Keiko Takahashi, Daijiro Tsutsumi, Shiro Shimomoto, Takuto Yonezu, Hiroshi Noguchi,
This 2K remaster played at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival before hitting the mini theatre circuit in February of 2023.
The Banmei Takahashi entries in the DOOR series look to be straight 80s genre cinema. Kiyoshi Kurosawa made one during the 90s and it shows off some of his early horror chops in the third instalment – he’d reuse techniques and sequences in later films. This was the first entry. The lead is played by Keiko Takahashi, the wife of director Banmei Takahashi. This remaster is based on the original super 16mm negative and supervised by cinematographer Yasushi Sasakihara (Gonin, Violent Cop).
Synopsis: Yasuko is a typical housewife with a husband and son. She lives in a high-rise apartment. Life takes a horrendous turn when a salesman turns into a stalker who constantly harasses her.
DOOR 2: Tokyo Diary 
ドア 2 「DOA 2」
Release Date: April 25th, 1991
Duration: 82 mins.
Director: Banmei Takahashi
Writer: Toshiyuki Mizutani (Screenplay),
Starring: Chikako Aoyama, Joe Yamanaka, Shingo Kazami, Chiharu Iwamoto, Yukino Hida, Ren Osugi,
The second in the Door trilogy to get a digital remaster following on from Door 1. Apparently, this was released on VHS in 1991 but was lost due to the bankruptcy of the production company. This remaster was released at the end of March 2023.
Synopsis: A female college student named Ai moonlights as a call girl. Every job involves a lot of risk due to her client’s peccadilloes and every time she goes through a door, she has no idea what type of man is on the other side. Expect S&M…
This is a REGION FREE release and it comes with a lot of extras:
• New digital remasters on both films, from their original negatives
• DOOR 1 audio commentary by Jasper Sharp
• Interview with director Banmei Takahashi
• Door 2: Tokyo Diary
• Trailers for both features
• Slipcase with artwork from Gokaiju – reversible sleeve featuring both DOOR 1 and 2 artworks
• ‘Directors Company’ edition featuring insert by Jasper Sharp – limited to 2000 copies
This release follows on from The Guard From Underground and it might be a first-time viewing for many J-horror fans considering its obscurity.
It continues Third Window Films’ series known as Director’s Company Collection, a line-up of films based on the releases of Japanese film production outfit Directors Company (1982-1992). Through these works, viewers will be able to get into lesser-known (in the West) but important Japanese films of the 1980s and 90s that were made outside of the studio system.
Aside from Kiyoshi Kurosawa, other big names involved in Directors Company include Sogo Ishii and Shinji Somai. Somai’s Typhoon Club is the next to be released when the Blu-ray goes live in November.