Ballad of Narayama - Narayama bushiko Shohei Imamura

(aka 'Ballad of Narayama' or 'Narayama bushiko')

Directed by Shohei Imamura
Japan 1983

The great legacy of Japanese cinema finds in Imamura a gifted heir. From Mizogushi and Ozu to Kurosawa and Oshima, Japanese film-making has created a whole tradition which has acquired universal acclaim due to its immense insight and contribution to world cinema. Imamura retains and above all preserves most of the elements typical of the Japanese cinematic culture, having already created some astonishing pieces of work. From the magnificent The Profund Desire of the Gods to Eijanaika and his latest compelling Black Rain (not to be confused with Ridley Scott's film) Imamura has already established himself as Japan's finest contemporary director.

The Balled of Narayama is an exemplary feature of Imamura's cinematic genre. Indeterminately set in the past, it highlights the traditions and mores of an isolated mountainous village which dictate to a seventy-year old widow that she has to go up to the mountain and await her death. This does not inhibit her from concerning herself with the future of her sons. One has to find a new wife since he's widowed, another hasn't been with a woman before, and the third one needs to be taught manners. The director focuses on the processes by which she attempts to realize these tasks in juxtaposition with her obligation to the laws of her community.

Excerpt from Spiros Gangas of the Edinburgh Film Society website located HERE.

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 29th, 1983 - Tokyo

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DVD Comparison:

Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC

(Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC LEFT vs. Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover	Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...
Distribution	Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC	Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	2:09:40	2:09:40
Video	1.84:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.81 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.13 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: IV
Bitrate: Animeigo
Audio	Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, None	English (Full, Limited or captions only), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Intercontinental Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.84:1 Edition Details: • Photo Gallery • Trailers for 3 films • 2-page liner notes in Chinese DVD Release Date: October 13th, 2005 Keep Case inside cardboard box Chapters: 9	Release Information: Studio: Animeigo Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Program notes • Photo Gallery • Trailers DVD Release Date: June 10th, 2008 Keep Case Chapters: 21

Comments:

ADDITION: Animeigo - Region 1- NTSC June 08': This new Animeigo edition is dual-layered and is superior to the old, now out-of-print, I.V. release in every area. It has less artifacts, is smoother, slightly better skin tones and is progressive (where the single-layered Region 3 release is interlaced - see 'combing' in last capture!). Aside from the interlacing the I.V. wasn't a decidedly poor image but the Animeigo trumps it.

Subtitles are certainly more thorough and give the three-tired option of 'Full', 'Limited' or 'captions only'. This effort is much appreciated. The font is a bit heavy and bright yellow but these are my only complaints.

Both sport a fairly clear, yet unremarkable, 2.0 channel Japanese audio track.

The Animeigo jumps ahead in the supplement department with some static screen program notes to augment the trailers and gallery.

The Animeigo is a good edition and I'm very happy they didn't mess it up. It's clean and progressive - looks about as good as it will for the time being - and some effort has been put into the subtitle translation(s). Yes, recommended - the film has grown on me quite a bit over the years. More than just Imamura fans should indulge!

***

ON THE INTERCONTINENTAL VIDEO: Considering this is a non-progressive image (see combing sample - last capture) it doesn't look too bad. Anamorphic and tight to the frame it sports adequate if not stellar subtitle translations. It may be a shade soft at times but colors look true and muted and contrast is more than acceptable. No applicable extras to contend with but for the caliber of director and film this is an exceptional price-to-value ratio. Probably one of my biggest complaints is against the cover design. At $14 though we still recommend.

Gary W. Tooze

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(Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC LEFT vs. Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)