Alas, the best available sources of "There Was a Father" are quite poor. And the sound on the Japanese DVD is rather funky (not nearly as good as that for "What Did the Lady Forget"). I suppose a M-style restoration could make it look better -- but is not likely that any of Ozu's films will ever get this sort of make-over. (Only "Tokyo Story" has gotten this sort of treatment by the University of Tokyo, but their work was not used by Shochiku -- perhaps this restoration is still unfinished).Gary Tooze wrote:After a couple of viewings of Ozu's There Was a Father, I am happy to announce it my favorite of his films exceeding Late Spring, Tokyo Story and Tokyo Twilight. The trouble is that the print the Panorama DVD was taken from was in horrible shape (I mean bad!).
While I like this one, it is actually in the bottom third of my Ozu list. along with "Todas" -- but above "Munekartta Sisters" and "A Mother Should Be Loved".