NOTE: Although the 4 features of this boxset are housed in individual custom cases (see images above and below) they are not sold separately at this time and can only be obtained in Shochiku's Shimizu Hiroshi Collection - Part 1.

Technical specifications of the discs: Surprisingly all are single-layered... and region 2 coded in the NTSC standard, progressive and in their original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Bitrates show transfers in a healthy range from 6.49-7.92 mb/s.

The package: Gorgeous. Beautifully bound, heavy, thick cardboard, individual cases opening book-style inside a similarly sturdy box with one photo from the film on one side and small drawing with the title on the other. Exceptionally nice.

Image: Quality is about what I anticipated - perhaps even exceeding my expectations. The Japanese are notorious for the poor storage of vintage films but these four features are all very watchable. The only silent entry, Japanese Girls at the Harbor, interestingly enough looks very strong throughout most of the film but has scattered individual frame damage (see sample below). I also enjoyed it very much and it is advertised as a 'bonus' adjunct to the collection of the three later films. In each of the three others detail is expectantly soft but contrast is very passable, although blacks and whites have some fade to them. I don't suspect any vast restoration has been done but seeing as the majority of information in the text inserts is in Japanese I can't state that with any certainty. Noise is very minimal. Unfortunately Mr. Thank You, possibly the most anticipated of the collection, is also the weakest image-wise. It shows some frailty although the story intent shines through regardless. The Masseurs and a Woman might be the cleanest but has some excessively bright scenes in the beginning so, for all, the image quality here is far from pristine. The big plusses are that they are progressive and haven't had blanket boosting to hide the damage marks as we see from many inferior Japanese DVD production companies.     

Audio - Firstly, Japanese Girls at the Harbor, is truly silent throughout without augmentation of any musical accompaniment. For the other three the audio is as similarly as weak as the image representations. 'Hiss' exists as well as a few dropouts and softened pops. I doubt anyone would expect crystal clear audio, but I can only confirm that this still leaves something to be desired. The optional English subtitles appear a bit précised but are clear enough, and given adequate time onscreen, to view without strain.   

Extras - There are none digitally aside from a 1.5 minute trailer for modern version of Masseurs and the Women (on that disc), which appears to identically duplicate many scenes from Shimizu's classic. Although I have not seen the entire film, I would like to now. A 14-page booklet with photos (and some ,loose-leaf paper flyers with each disc) is included but is entirely in Japanese.

Overall impression: Shimizu has unique proclivities, dissimilar to the stylings of Ozu but they can definitely be judged 'his own'. Many scenes around Japanese social activities crop up in multiple films (baths, massages, bus transportation etc.). The package reminded me of an Eclipse boxset - director-focused, pragmatic presentations of 'lost, forgotten, or overshadowed classics'! In this case though the DVD boxset  is not cheap but I believe it may be the only way you can see these films outside of a rare film retrospective. Like Ozu, I can see more exposure to his oeuvre make the films grow on you to a strong extent. I'm glad I was able to partake of this collection - it was like stepping back in time but I was struck by how 'modern' the male/female interactions were presented - of course though I suppose that could be considered a universal human condition. For fans of Japanese film and previously unaware of Shimizu Hiroshi's gentle cinema this is a wonderful opportunity to indulge in his work and I look forward to the second volume coming out in late June, and like this collection, is also available from YesAsia, CDJapan and Amazon Japan.     

Gary W. Tooze