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(aka 'The Ballad of Narayama' or 'Narayama bushiko')
Directed by
Shohei Imamura
Japan 1983
Cinematic anthropologist extraordinaire Shōhei Imamura won his first Palme d’Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival for The Ballad of Narayama [Narayama bushikō], his transcendent adaptation of two classic stories by Shichirō Fukazawa.
***
The
great legacy of Japanese cinema finds in Imamura a gifted heir. From Mizogushi and Ozu to Kurosawa and Oshima, Japanese film-making has created a
whole tradition which has acquired universal acclaim due to its immense insight
and contribution to world cinema. Imamura retains and above all preserves most
of the elements typical of the Japanese cinematic culture, having already
created some astonishing pieces of work. From the magnificent The Profund Desire
of the Gods to Eijanaika and his latest compelling
Black Rain (not to be
confused with Ridley Scott's film) Imamura has already established himself as
Japan's finest contemporary director. Excerpt from Spiros Gangas of the Edinburgh Film Society website located HERE. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: April 29th, 1983 - Tokyo
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Masters of Cinema (Dual Format) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC LEFT 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT
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DVD Box Cover |
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Distribution | Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC | Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC | Masters of Cinema - Spine #24 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 2:09:40 | 2:09:40 | 2:10:04.546 |
Video | 1.84:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.81 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
1.85:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.13 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,402,991,946 bytesFeature: 36,634,908,672 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:
Animeigo |
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Bitrate:
Blu-ray |
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Audio | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) | Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese 779 kbps 2.0 /
48 kHz / 779 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 512
kbps / 16-bit) |
Subtitles | English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, None | English (Full, Limited or captions only), None | English, None |
Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Photo
Gallery |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Program notes • Photo
Gallery |
Release Information: Disc Size: 42,402,991,946 bytesFeature: 36,634,908,672 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps Edition Details: • Exclusive
new video interview with scholar Tony Rayns (19:17)
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NTSC DVD of the Feature |
Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Masters of Cinema (Dual Format) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - October 11': I t's a pretty dramatic improvement over the less-than-stellar DVDs. The Masters of Cinema disc is darker with richer colors. There is some nice grain, contrast almost achieves moiring via the pitch black-levels without achieving it. There is more information in the frame on the 1.85:1 aspect ratio Blu-ray. Overall, it's like seeing the film afresh. It's dual-layered and progressive and very much in-line with what we have come to expect from the, precise and professional, MoC group.The DVDs both had some rough patches in the audio (either inherent in the production or the best source available) and while they still seem to exist and much smoother and far less noticeable via the DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel stereo at 779 kbps. It has no response depth as the film doesn't demand it - but we can trust the lossless sound is the best available - despite limitations of the production. There are new, optional English subtitles in a clean and clear white font. The Blu-ray disc is region 'B'-locked. Supplements, predictably, advance beyond the SD releases and include an exclusive new, 20-minute, video interview with scholar Tony Rayns discussing Shôhei Imamura and the production while including interesting details. There are four original Japanese theatrical trailers and a wonderful 44-page full-color booklet containing a 1983 director’s statement by Shôhei Imamura; a newly translated 1983 interview with Imamura conducted by Max Tessier; the newly translated production diary for the film kept by producer Jirô Tomoda; a wide selection of rare production stills; and facsimile imagery from the film’s original Japanese press book. The Dual Format Blu-ray package contains a dual-layered NTSC DVD of the Feature film also containing the same extras. This director's films are some of the most interesting - afraid of taboos and fringe topics - and I think this is a fantastic choice for the Masters of Cinema to have undertaken in the new format. We finally have a home theater release that is closer to film and the extras are important to Imamura fans. Strongly recommended! *** ADDITION: Animeigo - Region 1- NTSC June 08': This new Animeigo edition is dual-layered and is superior to the old, now out-of-print, I.V. release in every area. It has less artifacts, is smoother, slightly better skin tones and is progressive (where the single-layered Region 3 release is interlaced - see 'combing' in last capture!). Aside from the interlacing the I.V. wasn't a decidedly poor image but the Animeigo trumps it. Subtitles are certainly more thorough and give the three-tired option of 'Full', 'Limited' or 'captions only'. This effort is much appreciated. The font is a bit heavy and bright yellow but these are my only complaints. Both sport a fairly clear (some hiss), yet unremarkable, 2.0 channel Japanese audio track. The Animeigo jumps ahead in the supplement department with some static screen program notes to augment the trailers and gallery. The Animeigo is a good edition and I'm very happy they didn't mess it up. It's clean and progressive - looks about as good as it will for the time being - and some effort has been put into the subtitle translation(s). Yes, recommended - the film has grown on me quite a bit over the years. More than just Imamura fans should indulge! ***
ON THE INTERCONTINENTAL VIDEO: Considering this is a non-progressive image (see combing sample - last capture) it doesn't look too bad. Anamorphic and tight to the frame it sports adequate if not stellar subtitle translations. It may be a shade soft at times but colors look true and muted and contrast is more than acceptable. No applicable extras to contend with but for the calibre of director and film this is an exceptional price-to-value ratio. Probably one of my biggest complaints is against the cover design. At $14 though we still recommend. |
Menus
Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC LEFT
vs. Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT
Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Subtitle Sample
1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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Screen Captures
1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC TOP 2) Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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More Blu-ray Captures
Report Card:
Image: |
Blu-ray |
Sound: |
Blu-ray |
Extras: | Blu-ray |
DVD Box Cover |
Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... |
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Distribution | Intercontinental Video - Region 3 - NTSC | Animeigo - Region 1 - NTSC | Masters of Cinema - Spine #24 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |