NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: BFI - Region 'B' -  Blu-ray May 2020': BFI's 2020 Blu-ray transfer looks almost identical to Criterion's from last year - also cited as "Re-mastered at 4k". The UK rendering has a higher bitrate and contrast may be a small notch ahead - but this looks like not enough of a discernable edge to prefer one over the other, imo.

It appears to have the same  title card preceding the film states, "THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE Digitally Restored Version (Directed by Yasujiro Ozu / Produced by Shochiku Co., Ltd. / 1952) Restoration by Shochiku Co., Ltd."

Kind of a cool thing is that BFI have given the choice of seeing the film with unrestored audio or restored (or Rayns commentary.) I'll tell you something, the unrestored can sound 'better' - notably the  Ichirô Saitô (Life of Oharu) score which is more robust - although there is minor hiss. Dialogue has a pleasing hollow quality - like it may have sounded originally. I like the option. Both are 24-bit linear PCM in the original Japanese language. BFI also provide optional English subtitles and their Blu-ray disc is Region 'B'-locked.

BFI include a feature-length audio commentary by critic and expert Tony Rayns. He is 'the man' in regards to these Asian-cinema commentaries and discusses Ozu's film language, editing, framing, generic qualities and amusing product placement (Shochiku movie theatre shown in the film!) The time is filled with extraneous details extending within and outside the production - a few gaps and narration/explanation. It's premium cinephile stuff and gives this BFI Blu-ray release another layer of strong value. There are also 2 shorts - The Mystery of Marriage from 1932 runs 1/2 hour. It is described as "educational filmmaker and pioneering female director Mary Field draws peculiar and poignant parallels between the mating rituals of humans, animals and mould in this eccentric, entertaining educational film". The second is The Good Housewife 'In Her Kitchen' from 1949 - running 9-minutes - the fourth wall is shattered in this imaginative public information film, filled with good advice for kitchen users - whether they have a refrigerator or not. The package has , for its first pressing only, a fully illustrated booklet with archival essay by Tom Milne, and writing on the archive films by the BFI's Vic Pratt and full film credits.

We love differences and the BFI Blu-ray inclusion of an unrestored audio track option and the essential Rayns' commentary, plus booklet - make this a big enticement for Ozu and Japanese cinema fans. Region 'B'ers should be extremely pleased!     

***

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (July 2019): Criterion present a new 4K digital restoration of Yasujiro Ozu's "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice" on a new dual-layered Blu-ray. The 1.37:1 HD transfer has a very high bitrate. Notice how the once solid gray vertical stripes on the outfit now show 3 individual stripes? The clarity of the visuals are greatly improved in this 1080p transfer. It is also now apparent that the previous SD images were slightly squeezed, now showing a more realistic shape to most faces and bodies, without the convex stretching. Contrast is also deeply improved in this new transfer, showing much deeper black levels, and greater range of grays. Some scenes can look soft when compared to others, though the film looks to be in rather good shape, with hardly any damage to be seen.

A title card preceding the film states, "THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE Digitally Restored Version (Directed by Yasujiro Ozu / Produced by Shochiku Co., Ltd. / 1952) Restoration by Shochiku Co., Ltd."

Criterion include the film's original uncompressed linear PCM 1.0 audio in 24-bit. The score is thanks to Ichirô Saitô (Life of Oharu). Though I do not speak Japanese, the dialogue seems to be rather clear and intelligible, (while rather flat) on this linear track. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Criterion.

Criterion include Yasujiro Ozu's 1937 film, "What Did the Lady Forget?" (1080P, 17Mbps, 1:11:26.323, lossy Dolby audio, English subtitles, 11 chapters). This 71-minute film was the director's second sound picture and, as a satire of the Japanese bourgeoisie, is a precursor to many of the director's best-known social comedies, including "The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice". Director Yasujiro Ozu collaborated with screenwriter Kogo Noda on twenty-seven films, including "The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice", with the pair often working out of a small house in the mountains of Tateshina, Japan. "Ozu and Noda" is created by filmmaker Daniel Raim for the Criterion Collection in 2019, and explores their working relationship and writing process. The 16-minute piece features words from Daisuke Miyao, Ph.D. who is the author of "The Aesthetics of Shadow: Lighting and Japanese Cinema". Next up is a 25-minute video essay from David Bordwell, author of 'Ozu and the Poetics of Cinema', and was shot by the Criterion Collection in 2019. There is a liner notes booklety with an essay by scholar Junji Yoshida.

Criterion's presentation of a new 4K digital restoration of Yasujiro Ozu's "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice" on Blu-ray should make a lot of Ozu fans very, very pleased. Not only do we get the feature but also his 1937 film, "What Did the Lady Forget?" as well as some other appreciated extras.

Colin Zavitz

***

ON THE DVDs: NOTE: I added two comparison captures from the Panorama Region 3- NTSC edition. I think the Tartan has the edge, certainly in contrast (Panorama has a sepia tinge), but the most obvious failing of the Hong Kong disc are the weakly translated subtitles.

Gary Tooze

***

A PAL-ified NTSC port from the Shochiku restored version, there are combing and ghosting issues.

The source appears to have been in a better condition than "Record of a Tenement Gentleman". There are no signs of scratches or damage, but the light still flickers and fades from time to time.

The image itself looks great. Details are good, even though at times a bit soft, blacks are solid and there are no signs of edge enhancement. The only artifact appears to be minute chroma noise.

The sound is likewise good. Still not a restored sound, but merely noise reduced, leaving a minute hissing sound throughout the track. Dialogue is clear.

Sadly, the only additional material is a restoration demonstration and photo gallery.
 

- Henrik Sylow