NOTE: Per-Olof has sent us two caps of the Atlantic Film (Swedish edition - no Eng subs) for comparison - last 2 captures. As he says "...you get a good idea of how good the Criterion is...." - Thanks Per-Olof!

Although there are other DVD version of this film (UK and Australian editions I believe,) I don't own to compare.

I really enjoyed this film... and DVD image. The transfer is dual-layered, progressive and anamorphic in a 1.66 aspect ratio - which I have no reason to suggest is not correct although IMDb indicates a production negative ratio of 1.96:1. Detail and most other visual attributes are consistent and at a high level. The transfer is clean - colors are lifelike and contrast is at Criterion's usual lofty plateau. The film showcases some fabulous cinematographic shots and Criterion's rendering has them looking pristine. This is one title I'd love to have seen initially in high-definition Blu-ray.

Aside from a flat, original, Japanese mono track there is also an included, untested, English DUB accompanying the film. As per standard, Criterion offer detailed translations in the form of optional English subtitles (that, by the way, don't precisely match the English DUB - for those who are concerned these aren't DUB-titles).

Extras don't include a commentary but there are some viable featurettes starting with the 20-minute Double Obsession: Seki, Sada, and Oshima. It is a new video essay by film historian and critic Catherine Russell (author and professor of film studies at Concordia University in Montreal.) It has double screens pairing Empire of Passion with Oshima's preceding film In the Realm of the Senses. There are some interviews - 17-minutes with actors Kazuo Yoshiyuki and Tatsuya Fuji and from 2003 production consultant Koji Wakamatsu and assistant directors Yusuke Narita and Yoichi Sai running 13-minutes. There is the U.S. trailer (1:51) although the film was Japan's submission to the 51st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language entry, it was not accepted as a nominee. There is a wonderful 30-page liner notes booklet with photos and featuring an essay by renowned critic and historian Tony Rayns and a 1978 interview with Nagisa Oshima.

I loved the horror aspect of the film whose style definitely puts one in mind of Kobayashi's Kwaidan. The violence aspects of Empire of Passion seem less invested than In the Realm of the Senses. As usual Criterion has all it's ducks in line and this DVD looks great, with solid extras and the film is one I strongly recommend! 

Gary W. Tooze