The Burmese Harp

(aka 'Biruma no tategoto' or 'The Burmese Harp' or 'Harp of Burma')

Directed by Kon Ichikawa
Japan 1956

An Imperial Japanese Army regiment surrenders to British forces in Burma at the close of World War II and finds harmony through song. A private, thought to be dead, disguises himself as a Buddhist monk and stumbles upon spiritual enlightenment . Magnificently shot in hushed black and white, Kon Ichikawa’s The Burmese Harp is an eloquent meditation on beauty coexisting with death and remains one of Japanese cinema’s most overwhelming antiwar statements, both tender and brutal in its grappling with Japan’s wartime legacy.

*****

At the end of WWII, a Japanese soldier is confronted with the true horror of war and death. Classic lyrical drama from acclaimed Japanese director Kon Ichikawa.

Beautifully constructed and immaculately paced, it's almost impossible not to be moved by Kon Ichikawa's heartfelt look at the aftermath of battle.

Set in Burma at the end of WWII, it begins with a platoon of Japanese soldiers singing as they march through the jungle. Encountering the British army, they prepare for combat only to find out that the war is over, Japan has surrendered and the Brits are there to escort them to a POW camp.

But first one member of the troop, the harp-playing corporal Mizushima (Yasui), must carry out a final mission. Deep in the mountains one last Japanese platoon is hiding out, so he's sent to convince them that the war is over. The mission is a failure and ends in terrifying bloodshed.

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE

LaserDisc cover, LP cover etc.

Theatrical Release: January 21st, 1956

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 379 - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:56:20
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.65 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 1.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Video interviews with director Kon Ichikawa (16:22) and actor Rentaro Mikuni (11:46) • Original theatrical trailer • Liner notes with essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns DVD Release Date: March 13th, 2007 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 24

Comments:

NOTE: This Criterion transfer is again pictureboxed (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review). Criterion have included a black border around the edge of the frame to counter overscan on production television sets.

If you look closely at the screen captures below you can see where Criterion have done extensive cleaning and restoration to remove a lot of light scratches. The result is that this progressive transfer on a dual-layered DVD looks exceptionally strong. Contrast, again, is Criterion's hallmark. Flickering is prevalent though to a small degree. Overall the image is much better than I anticipated. I am very happy and the audio and subtitles are likewise at Criterion's adept level of digital production.

In a 16 minute supplemental interview Ichikawa discusses how he had intended to become a painter but when he saw Disney's Mickey Mouse he was suitably impressed with the movement to consider film as a potential profession. He talks about many aspects of The Burmese Harp from the sound track to other production details. It is very interesting. The extensive actor Rentaro Mikuni (150+ films), in an 11 minute interview, talks of what he determines Ichikawa's intentions were in making the film. He compliments Ichikawa by stating that he learned a lot from his methods when he too went on to direct himself many years later. There is also a theatrical trailer and a 19-page booklet with an essay by Tony Rayns.

A must-own for all film fans - a bona-fide masterpiece - Criterion have done another perfect job - with only a commentary absent. We can give this release our highest recommendation.