Onibaba Blu-ray Kaneto Shindô

(aka "Onibaba" or "The Demon, "Devil Woman" or " The Hole" or "The Ogress" or "Demon Hag" or "The Witch" )

directed by Kaneto Shindô
Japan 1964

Deep within the wind-swept marshes of war-torn medieval Japan, an impoverished mother and her daughter-in-law eke out a lonely, desperate existence. Forced to murder lost samurai and sell their belongings for grain, they dump the corpses down a deep, dark hole and live off of their meager spoils. When a bedraggled neighbor returns from the skirmishes, lust, jealousy, and rage threaten to destroy the trio’s tenuous existence, before an ominous, ill-gotten demon mask seals the trio’s horrifying fate. Driven by primal emotions, dark eroticism, a frenzied score by Hikaru Hayashi, and stunning images both lyrical and macabre, Kaneto Shindo’s chilling folktale Onibaba is a singular cinematic experience.

****

Kaneto Shindo, one of Japan's most prolific directors, received his biggest international success with the release of Onibaba in 1964. Its depiction of violence and graphic sexuality was unprecedented at the time of release. Shindo managed — through his own production company Kindai Eiga Kyokai — to bypass the strict, self-regulated Japanese film industry and pave the way for such films as Yasuzo Masumura's Mojuu (1969) and Nagisa Oshima's Ai no corrida (1976).

Onibaba is set during a brutal period in history, a Japan ravaged by civil war between rivaling shogunates. Weary from combat, samurai are drawn towards the seven-foot high susuki grass fields to hide and rest themselves, whereupon they are ambushed and murdered by a ruthless mother (Nobuko Otowa) and daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) team. The women throw the samurai bodies into a pit, and barter their armour and weapons for food. When Hachi (Kei Sato), a neighbour returning from the wars, brings bad news, he threatens the women's partnership.

Erotically charged and steeped in the symbolism and superstition of its Buddhist and Shinto roots, Kaneto Shindo's Onibaba is in part a modern parable on consumerism, a study of the destructiveness of sexual desire and — filmed within a claustrophobic sea of grass — one of the most striking and unique films of the last century, winning Kiyomi Kuroda the Blue Ribbon Award for Cinematography in 1965. The memorably frenetic drumming soundtrack was scored by long-time Shindo collaborator Hikaru Hayashi.

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Theatrical Release: November 21st, 1964

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Comparison:

Eureka - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Asmik - Region 2 - NTSC vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Mark Wilson of NicheFlix for Asmik DVD Screen Captures!

Box Covers					BONUS CAPTURES:
Distribution	Eureka Masters of Cinema Region 2 - PAL	Criterion Collection - Spine # 226 - Region 0 - NTSC	Pioneer / Asmik Ace Region 2 - NTSC	Masters of Cinema - Spine #55 Region 'B' - Blu-ray	Criterion Collection - Spine # 226 Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:38:42 (4% PAL Speed-up)	1:42:36	1:42:18	1:42:29.143	1:42:54.585
Video	2.35:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7.65 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	2.35:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.2 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	2.35:1.00 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.37 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 37,119,544,355 bytes Feature: 30,997,276,032 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video	1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,623,194,077 bytes Feature: 30,840,834,048 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.56 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Eureka
Bitrate: Criterion
Bitrate: Asmik Ace
Bitrate Masters of Cinema: Blu-ray
Bitrate Criterion: Blu-ray
Audio	Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	LPCM Audio Japanese 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit Commentary: LPCM Audio Japanese 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit	LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio Japanese 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -31dB
Subtitles	English, None	English, None	English, Japanese and none	English, None (and English for commentary)	English, None (and English for commentary)
Features	Release Information: Studio: Eureka Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Special Features • Full-length director's audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindo and the stars of the film, Kei Sato, and Jitsuko Yoshimura (in Japanese with removable subtitles) • Video introduction by Alex Cox • 8mm footage (40-minutes) shot on location by lead actor Kei Sato • Original trailer • Production stills and promotional art gallery • 24-page booklet with a new essay by Doug Cummings, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film and a statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindo about why he made Onibaba DVD Release Date: August 22nd, 2005 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Special Features • New video interview with writer/director Kaneto Shindo • Rare super-8 black & white and color footage provided by actor Kei Sato, shot on location during the filming of Onibaba • Original trailer • Stills gallery featuring production sketches and promotional art • Rare English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film • Filmmaker’s statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindo DVD Release Date: March 16th, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 21	Release Information: Studio: Asmik Ace (Japan) / Kindai Eiga Kyokai Ltd Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterbox - 2.35:1 Edition Details: Audio commentary Documentary (40:00) Trailer Picture gallery NOTE: Extras do not have English subtitles. DVD Release Date:10 / 08 / 2001 Keep Case Chapters: 18	Release Information: Studio: Eureka Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 37,119,544,355 bytes Feature: 30,997,276,032 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Special Features • Full-length director's audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindo and the stars of the film, Kei Sato, and Jitsuko Yoshimura (in Japanese with removable subtitles) • Video introduction by Alex Cox (6:19) • 8mm footage (40-minutes) shot on location by lead actor Kei Sato (38:02) • Original trailer (2:20) • 24-page booklet with essay by Doug Cummings, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film and a statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindo about why he made Onibaba Blu-ray Release Date: February 25th, 2013 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,623,194,077 bytes Feature: 30,840,834,048 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.56 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Special Features • Audio commentary from 2001 featuring director Kaneto Shindo and actors Kei Sato and Jitsuko Yoshimura (in Japanese with removable subtitles) • Interview from 2003 with Shindo (21:15) • On-location footage shot by Sato (37:47) • Trailer (2:23) • PLUS: An essay by film critic Elena Lazic, a 2001 director’s statement by Shindo, and a version of the Buddhist fable that inspired the film Blu-ray Release Date: October 5th, 2021 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 20

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (October 2021): Criterion have transferred Kaneto Shindô's Onibaba to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "Restored high-definition transfer". Like their own 2004 DVD it is slightly cropped beside both the Masters of Cinema and Asmik Ace transfers. It is egregiously on the side and top edges and less so at the bottom of the frame. The Criterion 1080P is darker and a bit thicker looking very film-like. I had no issues with the HD presentation on my system - contrast was pristine and I was extremely pleased with my viewing. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the Japanese language. Onibaba has a brilliant score by Hikaru Hayashi (Irezumi, Death By Hanging, Voice Without a Shadow, Blind Beast, Kuroneko, The Naked Island) sounding eclectic and diverse at times with Taiko drumming combined with jazz. The authentically flat, uncompressed transfer supports the film amazingly well. Criterion offer optional English subtitles (for the Japanese-language commentary too) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers new supplements beyond their 17-year old DVD. It now has the 2001 commentary featuring director Kaneto Shindo and actors Kei Sato and Jitsuko Yoshimura that is found on the UK and Japanese editions. It has English optional subtitles (see sample HERE.) It is excellent with them all reflecting on the production - hurdles they overcame (seeing the lights of Tokyo at night), the mask maker and much more - they seemed to have a very good time reminiscing about the making of the film and their particular contributions. Criterion include the 22-minute interview from 2003 with Shindo plus almost 40-minutes of on-location footage shot by Sato as found on previous DVD and Blu-ray editions - it is a mixture of color and b&w 8-mm footage from the making of the movie - it's silent, so, no subs needed. Lastly, is a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film critic Elena Lazic, a 2001 director’s statement by Shindo, and a version of the Buddhist fable that inspired the film.

Kaneto Shindô's Onibaba is another masterpiece from the director that brought us The Naked Island, and Kuroneko. He frequently depicted the fate of women including their sexual nature. the title Onibaba can be translated as "Demon Hag" or "The Witch". It has elements of both social criticism and an eerie horror. Criterion were certainly beaten to the punch with their Blu-ray transfer - that still provides a strong presentation having differences from the 8-year old UK Blu-ray. The included commentary and other extras are a welcome addition. Our highest recommendation to region 'A'-locked world cinephiles! A 'must-own' film.

***

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (February 2013): Sweet! What a great film to have in 1080P. Onibaba is so brilliantly shot some of the sequences are ravishing via Masters of Cinema's dual-layered Blu-ray. The scope effect seems maximized the only negative. This coincides with a flatness and waxiness that I, in no way, found detrimental. The layered contrast brightens the overall visuals and darkens the black levels. It also brings up detail. I thoroughly enjoyed the HD presentation - it accentuated the atmosphere which is such an integral part of the Onibaba film experience.

The linear PCM audio at 1536 kbps benefits the wild Hikaru Hayashi score. The lossless rendering ratchets up the depth a full notch. It sounds quite impressive. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The supplements are duplicated from the 2005 MoC DVD with the commentary, Alex Cox intro, booklet but we lose the superfluous 'art gallery'.

Onibaba is an amazing film to have in 1080P and despite some minor, perceived, digitization issues - I thoroughly enjoyed the Blu-ray experience. It should blow away most film fans with its a/v. Recommended!

***

ADDITION: Eureka - Region 2 - PAL (August 2005): I will try to be brief as I feel I could talk about these three release enough to fill 3 of these web pages. Bottom line: the Eureka is the one to own, it, like the Asmik, is sharper than the Criterion and has better subtitle translations than the Asmik. It also boasts the best extras with a Full-length director's audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindo and the stars of the film, Kei Sato, and Jitsuko Yoshimura (in Japanese with removable subtitles), 8mm footage (40-minutes) shot on location by lead actor Kei Sato and a 24-page booklet with a new essay by Doug Cummings, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film and a statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindo about why he made Onibaba.

***

It appears in direct comparison to the Asmik Ace DVD that the Criterion has some cropping on both edges (especially the left) as well as the top. The Asmik image is marginally sharper than the Criterion which is darker, although I think the differences are acceptably negligible in image quality - the cropping keeps the Asmik in the lead. The Criterion wins the Extras only as they have English subtitles. This is a pick'em, but true image purists will want to get the Asmik Ace - fans of the film may want the Criterion for the Extras.