(aka "Woman in the Dunes" or 'Woman of the Dunes')

directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Japan 1964

"Some desert-region villagers trick an innocent entomologist named Niki Jumpei into captivity under the pretense of “local hospitality”. He joins a young widow in a small shack within a pit in their desert community unable to extricate himself. If the wooden house were left un-cleared of constantly falling sand, its being buried would have a domino effect on other homes within the small village also being completely covered. Against his will, Niki is positioned as a helper and companion to the widow. His major goal is to escape his captivity and goldfish-bowl existence as the villagers peer down on them while controlling their food, water and exposure to the outside world.

Once his escape and hopeful rescue seem remote, he does as best he can to pursue his scientific research goals while maintaining a close companionship, which eventually turns sexual, with the "Woman" ( played by Kyôko Kishida ). The constant black and white contrasts of lightly dusted skin, shifting sands, shadows and insects are exemplified by some wonderfully framed shots (very Kurosawa-like), and add to this films wonderful viewing experience. The captives sparse "rationed" living conditions are reflected very aptly in the geographical environment."

The most obvious comparison one could make to subtle event themes within "Woman in the Dunes", is that of isolation and captivity. Expressed not only in the major characters but in the constant references to insects; analyzed and imprisoned, pertaining to his research... the very reason he is in the desert village in the first place.

Even deeper than that we must remember the time period that this film was made and an experimental early 60's brought about a isolationist attitude of 'dropping out' of society. This underlying metaphor for the film is as perfectly maintained avoiding any real obvious message ploys. This offering is unique and an extremely gratifying cinematic experience. I recommend it to all.

Gary W. Tooze

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DVD Comparison:

 All screen shots courtesy of  Won-joon Choi  

(Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2- PAL MIDDLE vs. Asmik (Japan) Region 0 - NTSC RIGHT)

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Distribution	Image Entertainment  Region 1 - NTSC	BFI Video Region 2 - PAL	Asmik (Japan) Home Video Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	2:03:49	Director’s cut 2:20:55(4% PAL speedup)	2:03:36 min / Director’s cut 2:26:35
Video	4:3 Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Average Bitrate: 6.6  mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	4:3 Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Average Bitrate: 6.2 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	4:3 Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Average Bitrate:  7.23 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Audio	Japanese (Dolby Digital 1.0)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 1.0)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles	English ( non-removable)	English or none	Japanese, English or none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Region 1 NTSC Edition Details: • Restored From the Original Negative With New Subtitles • Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer   DVD Release Date: January 4, 2000 Snapper Case Chapters 18	Release Information: Distribution – BFI Video Region 2 PAL . Edition Details:  • Features – Director’s Cut • credits • Liner notes booklet . DVD Release Date: July 31st, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters 18	Release Information: Distribution – Asmik (Japan) Region 0 NTSC . Edition Details: • Features – Director’s cut through seamless branching • Trailer • Archive (Introduction, Scene Stills, • Behind the Scenes, Gallery) . * Also available as part of Hiroshi Teshigahara DVD Collection, which also includes The Pitfall (1962), The Face of Another (1966), The Man Without a Map (1968), Summer Soldiers (1972), and a compilation of his short films NOTE: Some Films do NOT have English subtitles! . DVD Release Date: 14 April, 2002 Keep Case Chapters 14