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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Haha wo kowazuya' and 'A Mother Should be Loved")

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/ozu.htm
Japan 19
34

 

Ozu silent family melodrama setting the stage for later masterpieces...

 

The only surviving print lacks first and last reels - set eight years before and three years after the main story. So it now focuses on the troubled relationship between two boys who discover that they are only step-brothers. After the husband dies of a heart attack, widowed Chieko selflessly devotes herself to the raising of the son and stepson Sadao. Her unconscious refusal to deal with Sadao finally uncovers the secret of his parentage, he tries to quit the family and live on his own. The prologue in which the father dies at the office, showed their former happy domestic life and the epilogue the reconciliation with mother after the traumatic central section.

Theatrical Release: May 11th, 1934

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DVD Review: Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

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Distribution Panorama (Hong Kong) - Region 3 - NTSC
Runtime 1:13:03 
 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.2 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Audio  none 
Interitles English, Traditional Chinese, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Panorama

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Ozu Biography (text screen)
• Ozu Filmography (text screen)

• Liner notes flyer

DVD Release Date: August 28h, 2006

Keep Case
Chapters: 12

 

 

Comments:

 

I knew about this print lacking first and last reels but it actually looks better than I was expecting. There are a lot of damage marks - mostly in the form of vertical scratches. The transfer is interlaced, but with few panning shots the combing is relatively light. It is more consistent than I was anticipating, but, of course, still weak in comparison to some of Ozu's later films on Panorama DVD. I expect this may be the best (only) DVD of this film in the next few years.

Also, commonly noted poor subtitles are not fully tested as the film is silent, but there are segments with heavy intertitles - overall I would say the translation may be better than we have seen in the past from Panorama.

Although the film is 'incomplete' and not prime Ozu - it still has merit for fans curious to see some of his evolving work. I was fascinated and many might be as well.   

Gary W. Tooze

 





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DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best... 

Distribution Panorama (Hong Kong) - Region 3 - NTSC




 

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