Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
- HerrSchreck
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:46 am
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Yeah I'm surprised you guys didn't know about that Image disc-- an english subbed edition of 47 Ro's was quite an important thing back in the early days of DVD... this prior to Mizo's real bigtime "rediscovery" in the younger cinephile community (as opposed to critics in the know who've been hip to works like Sansho and Ugetsu Monogatari for decades), especially as CC started bringing the best known titles out in premium editions.
It's faults-- especially versus the fully restored editions of today from best possible archive elements-- beyond five years ago didn't come anywhere near overwhelming its pluses.
As for the differences, despite the soupy look of the MK2, you can see them clearly in the clothing and face details, especially of the ronin's master who is being restrained after his attack.
It's faults-- especially versus the fully restored editions of today from best possible archive elements-- beyond five years ago didn't come anywhere near overwhelming its pluses.
As for the differences, despite the soupy look of the MK2, you can see them clearly in the clothing and face details, especially of the ronin's master who is being restrained after his attack.
- Sloper
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 10:06 pm
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Ah... Looking at the Beaver comparison reminded me why I didn't get the Image disc a few years ago. It was selling for about £100 or more. I was confused earlier because both that and the Korean version are now available quite cheaply. Anyway, I'm so glad this is coming out in a respectable edition - probably my favourite Mizoguchi - and hope US/UK editions will follow soon.
- HerrSchreck
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:46 am
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
It was so high because it was 1) out of print, and 2) at the time the only english-friendly edition available of this important film by this then-completely underrepresented-in-the-west legendary director. Same thing that happened with things like BRUTE FORCE... the old Image disc went oop and was fetching huge prices on eBay... then the CC came out and put those ripoffs to sleep.Sloper wrote: It was selling for about £100 or more. I was confused earlier because both that and the Korean version are now available quite cheaply.
It came out in 1999, so its eleven years old now. Back when it came out, is was a dream come true.Tommaso wrote:That Image disc isn't so bad given that it's almost ten years old now.
I'd say the situation for a premium R1 release is very encouraging, since the print used for the old IMage 47 Ro came from the Janus library. So a nice CC editions shouldn't be considered a stretch of the imagination by any means.
- Michael Kerpan
- Spelling Bee Champeen
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:20 pm
- Location: New England
- Contact:
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Actually there was a Korean clone of the (out of print) Image release that was quite cheap.
- perkizitore
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:29 pm
- Location: OOP is the only answer
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Does MK2 own the UK rights?
- myrnaloyisdope
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:41 pm
- Contact:
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Yes I have it, it's perfectly watchable, the print looks rough, but I didn't notice any real problems with the transfer.Michael Kerpan wrote:Actually there was a Korean clone of the (out of print) Image release that was quite cheap.
- Ashirg
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
- Location: Atlanta
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
I noticed that Utamaro and His Five Women has been released in Brazil, region 0 with English subtitles by Lume Filmes. Does anyone know about the quality of this release?
- manicsounds
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:58 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Loyal 47 Ronin Australian review. Commentary on top of it too.
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- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:54 am
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Just watched the Madman version on DVD and can also confirm that the picture quality is a significant improvement on the Image disc. Additionally, the Madman edition has more extensive subtitling that seems to me to be quite lyrical in places - whoever did it deserves a lot of credit. I have only listened to snatches of the commentary thus far but what I heard was captivating. All in all, this release is, in my view, up there with the best offerings from Criterion and Masters of Cinema and I'm therefore a bit surprised that they never got around to issuing it themselves.
I'm not sure how others feel about this but I love the fact that this film is - to put it bluntly - all talk and no action. I can well imagine why some people find it dull but its sombre nature and preoccupation with the nuances of samurai protocol mesmerise me every time I watch it.
I'm not sure how others feel about this but I love the fact that this film is - to put it bluntly - all talk and no action. I can well imagine why some people find it dull but its sombre nature and preoccupation with the nuances of samurai protocol mesmerise me every time I watch it.
- Michael Kerpan
- Spelling Bee Champeen
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:20 pm
- Location: New England
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Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Mizoguchi's film is based on a highly philosophical series of kabuki plays, which replaced action by discussion (and reflection) as to events that typically are not shown onstage. Even in its previous state, I found this film fascinating (and sometimes very moving) but also very disconcerting.
- Michael Kerpan
- Spelling Bee Champeen
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:20 pm
- Location: New England
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Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
More than twice as expensive as the upcoming DVD set -- I wonder whether this can possibly be worth the extra cost, given the state of the film elements.John Edmond wrote:Mizoguchi.....blu-ray
- eerik
- Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:53 pm
- Location: Estonia
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Artificial Eye Blu-rays tend to get very cheap about six months after the release...Michael Kerpan wrote:More than twice as expensive as the upcoming DVD set -- I wonder whether this can possibly be worth the extra cost, given the state of the film elements.John Edmond wrote:Mizoguchi.....blu-ray
-
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:12 am
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
I don't think it's a bad price. It's just a little more expensive than the Three Colours Trilogy but has a bit more content.
- Cremildo
- Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:19 pm
- Location: Brazil
- Contact:
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
This might be a moot point now that the film has been announced on Blu-ray, but here is a review (the text was mysteriously excised, but the ratings are still up).Ashirg wrote:I noticed that Utamaro and His Five Women has been released in Brazil, region 0 with English subtitles by Lume Filmes. Does anyone know about the quality of this release?
Picture quality: 3.5/5
Audio quality: 3/5
Bonus materials/menu: 0.5/5
Final rating: 3/5
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
Re: Mizoguchi Kenji on DVD
Yes, I've just bought a whole load from Amazon, and Melancholia (understandably) was the only one more expensive than £6.49.eerik wrote:Artificial Eye Blu-rays tend to get very cheap about six months after the release...Michael Kerpan wrote:More than twice as expensive as the upcoming DVD set -- I wonder whether this can possibly be worth the extra cost, given the state of the film elements.John Edmond wrote:Mizoguchi.....blu-ray