(aka "When the Last Sword is Drawn" or "Mibu gishi den" )

 

directed by Yojiro Takita
Japan 2003

 

From the director of Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master comes this tale of a samurai who must pack up and leave his family behind in order to follow his profession to the big city and join a larger samurai faction that will allow him to support his family.

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 18th, 2003 - Tokyo

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL

Big thanks to Gary Tooze and Henrik Sylow for the Screen Caps!

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

or rent:

Distribution

Intromedia

Region 3 - NTSC

 Tartan Japan
Region 0 - PAL
Runtime 2:17:16 2:17:33
Video

1.64:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.77 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.64:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.97 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:

 

Intromedia (Special Edition)

 

Bitrate:

 

Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition)

 

Audio 5.1 Dolby Digital Japanese, DTS Japanese

2.0 Dolby Digital Japanese, 5.1 Dolby Digital Japanese, DTS Japanese
Subtitles Korean, English, Japanese, None English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Intromedia

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.64:1

Edition Details:
• Making of (31:30)
• Deleted Scenes
• Interviews with cast and crew
• Hisaishi Joe's Soundtrack
• PR Meeting (8:37)
• Tokyo Film Festival
• Trailer

DVD Release Date: June 2, 2004
Fold-out Digipak slipcase inside cardboard box

Chapters 30
 

 Release Information:
Studio: Tartan Japan

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.64:1

Edition Details:
• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:18)
• 5 Behind the scenes featurettes (42:07)
• 8 Interviews (1:05:49)
• Premiere footage (21:19)
• Press conference (15:37)

 

DVD Release Date: April 25, 2005
Keep Case

Chapters 16

 

 

 

Comments This is a duplicate of the Japanese DVD (but cheaper) with a superb anamorphic image and extravagant audio options (5.1 + DTS!). It also has good subtitles (sorry my software wouldn't let me get a sample).

The failings of this SE package are the substantial extras which are subtitled only in Korean on the 2nd disc. Still, fans of the genre and Takita's "Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master" will be overjoyed at this fine presentation.

Kind of ostentatious, but included in the packaging are a small sword (letter opener - now used by me now to crack open DVD plastic wrappings) and a small segment of 5 frames of the film (encased in a plastic sleeve) - I guess it a keepsake. (Gary Tooze)

The Tartan DVD is not a progressive scan, causing combing. The image is also very soft, compared to Intromedia.

The audio is impressive, especially the DTS, which has slightly more details and seperation than the 5.1 Dolby Digital.

The real bonus of the Tartan is the additional material. All subtitled in English. It lacks some of the extras of the Japanese DVD (deleted scenes, spfx featurette and Hisaishi soundtrack). There are five behind the scenes featurettes (play all option), which is your standard Japanese behind the scenes, basically a home movie without any commentary. The real value comes with the eight interviews, running over one hour. While everyone is very polite, it reflects upon the story, film vs. book, and how the actors approached the film. Finally the presentation at the premiere and the press conference.

 - Henrik Sylow

 

 




DVD Menus

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - RIGHT)


 

 

 

Screen Captures

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Intromedia (Special Edition) - Region 3 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan Japan (2-Disc Special Edition) - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)
NOTE: Combing in the Tartan edition

 

 

Recommended Reading for Martial Arts/Samurai Genre Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

 

Check out more in "The Library"

 

 

Hit Counter

Report Card:

Image:

Intromedia

Sound:

Tartan (additional 2.0 Dolby Digital)
Extras: Tartan
Menu: Tartan
DVD Box Covers

or rent:

Distribution

Intromedia

Region 3 - NTSC

 Tartan Japan
Region 0 - PAL

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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