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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Seppuku" or "Harakiri" )
directed
by Kobayashi Masaki
Japan 1962
Of all
Masaki Kobayashi's attacks on the cruelty and inhumanity perpetrated by
authoritarian power (including The Human Condition and Samurai Rebellion),
perhaps none are more brilliant than his visceral, mesmerising Harakiri
[aka Seppuku]. *** Following the collapse of his clan, unemployed samurai Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the manor of Lord Iyi, begging to commit ritual suicide on his property. Iyi's clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for charity, try to force him to eviscerate himself—but they have underestimated his honor and his past. Winner of the 1963 Cannes Film Festival's Special Jury Prize, Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri is a scathing denouncement of feudal authority and hypocrisy.
***
To begin with a short history lesson. In 1600, Tokugawa
Ieyasu won the battle of Sekigahara and announced himself Shogun, thus
becoming the ruler of Japan. During the Tokugawa shogunate (1600-1867), Japan
was divided into 264 provinces, ruled by Daimyo (lords), who while having some
freedom in making laws, were under the strict supervision of the shogunate.
Equally, Japan was divided by a caste system (shi no ko sho) and basically
only samurai had rights. Non samurai were forbidden by law to travel or to
have family names. |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: September 16, 1962 (Tokyo)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Criterion (2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC LEFT 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT |
Box Covers |
Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
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Distribution |
Panorama Region 3 - NTSC |
Criterion
Collection - Spine # 302 Region 1 - NTSC |
Masters
of Cinema - Spine # 20 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion - Spine # 302 Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 2:12:29 | 2:12:40 | 2:12:50.629 | 2:13:01.556 |
Video |
2.35:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.26 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s |
2.31:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: XXX mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 39,923,209,233 bytes Feature: 37,373,638,656 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,333,123,886 bytes Feature: 38,996,385,792 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Panorama
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Bitrate:
Criterion |
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Bitrate:
Masters of Cinema Blu-ray |
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Bitrate:
Criterion Blu-ray |
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Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) |
Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) |
DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese 716 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 716 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 512 kbps / 16-bit) | LPCM Audio Japanese 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Subtitles | Cantonese, English, None | English and none | English and none | English and none |
Features |
Release Information: Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 12
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Release Information:
Edition Details:
• New video interviews with
legendary star Tatsuya Nakadai and acclaimed screenwriter Shinobu
Hashimoto
• Featurette: "Masterless Samurai
Shinobu
Hashimoto on Harakiri" |
Release Information: Disc Size: 39,923,209,233 bytes Feature: 37,373,638,656 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps
Edition Details:
• Excerpt from a 1993 Directors
Guild of Japan interview with Masaki Kobayashi discussing the film with
director Masahiro Shinoda (9:07) • An illustrated 28-page booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Philip Kemp, a 1963 interview with Kobayashi, and rare archival production stills
DVD of the Feature
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Release Information: 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,333,123,886 bytes Feature: 38,996,385,792 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps
Edition Details:
• New video interviews with
legendary star Tatsuya Nakadai and acclaimed screenwriter Shinobu
Hashimoto
• Featurette: "Masterless Samurai
Shinobu
Hashimoto on Harakiri" Chapters: 27 |
Comments |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - September 11': Criterion may have spun some of their digital magic and the contrast (always a Criterion hallmark) may be a bit more defined. And as detail is a function of contrast (brighter as well as richer black levels) - it may have the perception of being sharper. But what is notable is the amount that is cropped on the two sides edges and the bottom of the frame of the Criterion in comparison to the Masters of Cinema. Surprising, but I'd be lying if I didn't way I wasn't impressed with the 1080P image that shows more grain. Both have definite pluses in their favor and the region-locking leaves few with the ability to choose. Let's examine the other differences. Criterion stay faithful with a linear PCM mono track in uncompressed. My crusty ears couldn't state with any certainty which lossless track was superior but there were slight differences - with the Criterion sounding slightly more robust in some areas. I don't consider it a bog e factor though and both offer optional English subtitles Criterion take a strep ahead with the extras which duplicate the 2005 DVD (Donald Richie, the interviews and the "Masterless Samurai Shinobu Hashimoto on Harakiri" featurette plus the liner notes booklet with essay by celebrated film scholar Joan Mellen and a reprint of her 1972 interview with Kobayashi) - only the video is now in HD. I won't denounce either Blu-ray package although am still surprised by the cropping. Depending on your region we endorse both releases. ***
ADDITION: Masters of Cinema (Dual Format) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - August 11': As many already are aware, Criterion are releasing there Blu-ray transfer, available HERE, in October and it should be interesting to compare the two. What strikes me, aside from the MoC's 1080P having superior contrast and detail, is how the Region 'B' Blu-ray has significantly more information in all edges of the frame than the Criterion's letterboxed DVD - most notably the left edge where, often, entire characters are now visible in the background. It is more than a nominal amount. Masters of Cinema have provided a strong dual-layered transfer with a lofty bitrate producing an excellent overall image - which by comparison, showcases some minor brightness flaring on the US DVD. There is some depth apparent and the new HD 'scope' visuals appear very impressive. Audio MoC have gone with a DTS-HD in original Japanese via a 2.0 channel track at 716 kbps. I noted no major flaws and trust this is the best representation to date. I will compare with forthcoming Criterion audio which will undoubtedly utilize a linear PCM track. The Masters of Cinema have included optional English subtitles in an occasionally different translation that imparts the intended meaning. The Blu-ray disc is coded for region 'B'. MoC have a 9-minute excerpt from a 1993 Directors Guild of Japan interview with Masaki Kobayashi discussing the film with director Masahiro Shinoda as found on the Criterion, plus an original theatrical trailer - running 3-mionutes in rough shape and an illustrated 28-page booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Philip Kemp, a 1963 interview with Kobayashi, and rare archival production stills. Being a 'Dual Format' release MoC have included a DVD (dual-layered) of the Feature, with the same supplements, in the package. Harakiri is a seething Japanese period drama that seems a must-own for region 'B'ers who are into Japanese cinema to pick-up. Another great release from the gang at the Masters of Cinema. Absolutely recommended!
***
ON THE DVDs: Thankfully in this case the screen captures can tell the whole story and I don't need to add much. The Criterion looks very good (as we expected) easily showing the weakness of the Panorama DVD, which was okay for a stop-gap approach, but the 'real thing' has surfaced from Criterion. Great subtitles - stacked with valuable extras, typically great shadow detail, my only complaints are some contrast flickering that appears mostly in the beginning of the film and the Criterion has a thick border around it prohibiting full horizontal resolution. Inconsistent cropping on the side edges seen in both releases, mostly on the left edge of the Criterion, so one probably had some movement in the transfer. This (Criterion) is a beautifully sharp image with a hint of film grain. They really went to town with the extras. Another strong recommendation for a Criterion product. |
DVD Menus
(Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC
LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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DVD Menus (Disc 2 of Criterion)
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Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle Sample
1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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Screen Captures
1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD 4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
Combing evident in Panorama disc...
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More Blu-ray Captures
1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Report Card:
Image: |
Blu-rays |
Sound: |
Blu-rays |
Extras: |
Criterion Blu-ray |
DVD Box Covers |
Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
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|
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Distribution |
Panorama Region 3 - NTSC |
Criterion
Collection - Spine # 302 Region 1 - NTSC |
Masters
of Cinema - Spine # 20 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion - Spine # 302 Region 'A' - Blu-ray |