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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Shinjû: Ten no amijima' or 'Double Suicide')

directed by Masahiro Shinoda
Japan 1069

 

Many films have drawn from classic Japanese theatrical forms, but none with such shocking cinematic effect as director Masahiro Shinoda’s Double Suicide. In this striking adaptation of a bunraku puppet play (featuring the music of famed composer Toru Takemitsu), a paper merchant sacrifices family, fortune, and ultimately life for his erotic obsession with a prostitute.

 

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Theatrical Release: May 24th, 1969 - Tokyo

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The Japan Journals : 1947-2004,

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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

Tokyo Story

by Yasujiro Ozu, Kogo Noda, Donald Richie, Eric Klestadt

Ozu by Donald Ritchie

A Hundred Years of Japanese Film by Donald Richie

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DVD Review: Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

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Distribution Criterion Collection - Spine # 104 - Region 1- NTSC
Runtime 1:43:32 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.56 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s   

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion / Home Vision

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• 6 page liner notes essay by Claire Johnson

DVD Release Date: August 22nd, 2000

Keep Case
Chapters: 18

 

 

 

Comments:

This film is rife with visual eye-candy that Criterion have maintained with their usual precision. Black and whites are sharp and gray's dusted with appropriate temperance. The scenes with strong whites seem a little overly bright, but there is no evidence of edge enhancement. Shadow detail is very good - blacks are pitch. Good clean original audio, but no extras - save the liner notes. A wonderful film to have in your collection for its beauty and eclectic uniqueness. out of

Gary W. Tooze

 


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DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution Criterion Collection - Spine # 104 - Region 1- NTSC



 

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Gary Tooze