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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka 'The Lower Depths')
Japan 1957
| Based on the play by Maxim Gorky, Akira Kurosawa's film is a faithful adaptation, taking liberties only with the change in character names and setting (from imperial Russia to Edo-period Japan). This surprisingly comical tale focuses on the daily tribulations of a group of lower-class people living in a small tenement. Osugi (Isuzu Yamada), the landlady, bickers with Okayo (Kyôko Kagawa), her sister, over the man they both want--Sutekichi (Toshirô Mifune), the thief. Other characters in the close confines include a priest (Bokuzen Hidari), an ex-samurai (Minoru Chiaki), an actor (Kamatari Fujiwara), and a gambler (Koji Mitsui). By setting the film in one room and a small adjoining courtyard, Akira Kurosawa emphasizes both its claustrophobic premise and theatrical origins. Featuring an excellent ensemble cast, Kurosawa's tragicomic film is especially notable for Mifune's remarkable performance as the edgy yet sensitive Sutekichi. |
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Theatrical Release: September 17th, 1957 (Roadshow) - Japan
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC
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CLICK to order from: CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | The Criterion Collection - Spine # 239 | |
| Runtime | 2:04:52 | |
| Video | 1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.68 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) | |
| Subtitles | English, None | |
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Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Audio commentary on Kurosawa's The Lower Depths featuring Japanese-film expert Donald Richie (A Hundred Years of Japanese Film) |
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| Comments: |
Not
unlike Criterion's "Stray Dog"
DVD we see a fairly dark image with muted contrast and a high degree of
film grain visibility in Kurosawa's "The Lower Depths" , their new
Digital Versatile Disc. Fairly sharp considering the source print, but
not as defined as many other Criterion DVDs of films also made in the
50's. Toho is quite protective of their material (also with Godzilla) so
it is understandable the difficulty and adherence to quality that
Criterion included. Brightness boosting may have taken place in the
digitizing process, but it is not extensive. Subtitles are probably the
best we will ever see. For many this DVD includes a more desirable film
than the Kurosawa one -
Jean Renoir's adaptation of the
Gorky story as well, from 1936. The print used on this looks superior to
the Kurosawa, and fans will rejoice at the directors opening remarks.
Extras for the Kurosawa are bountiful and overshadow the Renoir, but I
feel I am looking a gift-horse in the mouth. This is pretty much a
must-have package for film fans. I can't imagine too many overlooking it
for desire of at least on of these films. Criterion continue to mark the
path for all DVD production companies. It is hard not to give them
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out
of Recommended Reading for Japanese Film Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Japan Journals : 1947-2004, by Donald Richie |
The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp |
Kon Ichikawa (Cinematheque Ontario Monographs) by James Quandt, Cinematheque Ontario |
Shohei Imamura (Cinematheque
Ontario Monographs, No. 1) by James Quandt |
Eros Plus Massacre: An
Introduction to the Japanese New Wave Cinema
(Midland Book, Mb 469) by David Desser |
The Films of Akira Kurosawa by Donald Ritchie |
Ozu by Donald Richie |
A Hundred Years of Japanese Film by Donald Richie |
Check out more in "The Library"
DVD Menus
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Subtitle Sample
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Screen Captures
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Recommended Reading for Kurosawa Fans (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp |
Eros Plus Massacre: An Introduction to the Japanese New Wave Cinema (Midland Book, Mb 469) by David Desser |
Akira Kurosawa and
Intertextual Cinema by James Goodwin |
Kurosawa: Film Studies and
Japanese Cinema (Asia-Pacific.) by Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto |
The Warrior's Camera by Stephen Prince |
The Films of Akira Kurosawa by Donald Ritchie |
The Emperor and the
Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and
Toshiro Mifune by Stuart Galbraith IV |
Something Like an Autobiography by Akira Kurosawa | A Hundred Years of Japanese Film by Donald Richie |
Check out more in "The Library"
(aka 'The Lower Depths" or "Underground" or "Underworld")
France 1936
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Renoir, working amidst the rise of Hitler and the Popular front in France, had need to take license with the dark nature of Gorky's source material, softening its bleak outlook. Working with his most celebrated actor (Gabin), this film offers a unique look at cinematic adaptation—where social conditions and filmmaking style converges to create a unique masterpiece.
Renoir adapted this story by Russian playwright Maxim Gorky, updating it and moving the setting to an undisclosed country. The result is powerful, if frequently uncomfortable, viewing. Gabin stars as the petty thief who decides he fancies his mistress's sister more, and resorts to violent crimes to rescue her from a self-destructive relationship. The characters aren't exactly sympathetic, and you know that it's all going to go horribly wrong before long, but Renoir's direction is as assured as ever, and Gabin compelling. The source material is evidently strong. Akira Kurosaw's 1957 film Donzoko was an adaptation of the same play. |
Theatrical Release: December -1936 - France
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
| Video | 1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.88 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate: |
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| Audio | French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
| Subtitles | English, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: |
DVD Menus
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Subtitle Sample
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Screen Captures
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| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from: CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | The Criterion Collection - Spine # 239 | |
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
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Gary Tooze |
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