Bandai Visual present Maborosi on a dual-layered Blu-ray with an extremely maxed-out bitrate of 39.07 Mbps. The film is presented in 1080p, the 'p' being progressive, as opposed to Milestone's 1080i (interlaced) video. It's not from a PAL source as the film is in the correct running time- it just may show some of the visuals deficiencies of the interlacing. Frankly, it looked fairly solid on our system,. Bandai outshines the competition here, with a much more robust contrast, detail, and color palette. The print looks good, with no visible scratches or damage. Milestone's image suffers from the interlaced presentation, and lacks the depth of color and contrast, resulting in blacks looking grey for example. Milestone also has a maxed out bitrate (35.50 Mbps) but this is less impressive probably dependant on the discretion of your system.

Bandai presents the film with a 24-bit linear PCM 2.0 audio track. Bandai has optional Japanese or English subtitles. Milestone offers new English subtitles by Linda Hoaglund with Judith Aley, and the assistance of Linda Ehrlich. Milestone presents the film with a 16-bit linear PCM 2.0 audio track. Bandai once again outshines Milestone here, with a more technically robust audio transfer. Though the film relies on silence and little dialogue, one would be mistaken in thinking that the audio track doesn't matter here. The music by Ming-chang Chen is also not to be dismissed as it is highly impacting - especially in the uncompressed rendering. Once again, Bandai Visual takes the lead here. The Bandai Blu-ray is Region FREE where the Milestone if Region 'A'-locked.

Both Milestone and Bandai offer the extra "Birthplace" which is a video documentary with actress Makiko Esumi. However the Bandai does not offer English subtitles for this 30-minute featurette, whereas Milestone does. Milestone also offers a rewarding commentary track by Linda Ehrlich, independent film scholar and Associate Professor Emerita from Case Western Reserve University. The track is full of useful information, despite occasional gaps. Milestone also feature the film's trailer as an supplement.

Maborosi is the first feature film of Hirokazu Koreeda, winner of the 2018 Palme d'Or for his film "Shoplifters". It is a film full of haunting images and almost deafening moments of introspection. Dealing with the subject of grief is quite a tricky balancing act in cinema, and the director pulls it off here beautifully. I would definitely recommend the film and the Bandai Visual Blu-ray has the superior a/v but it may not be enough to eclipse the addition of the commentary and subtitles in the 1/2 hour featurette of the Milestone. As we always say - it is great to have choices. The film is essential viewing.

Colin Zavitz

ON THE DVDs: ADDITION: Spectrum - Region 0 - October 2005 - I strongly suspect the Korean DVD as being a direct port of the Bandai with Korean subtitles added. Even the menus are very similar. The Bandai looks slightly more detailed and brighter and the Spectrum has a wide black border around the edge prohibiting full horizontal resolution. Unlike the Bandai the Spectrum does not contain the featurette or the poster but it is about 2/3 the cost. A strong film that we give a high recommendation to!